PITTSBURGH — When Dan Rooney gave his “welcome to training camp” speech to the Pittsburgh Steelers last summer, the message was different from any he or his late father Art had delivered during the club’s 76-year history.
The franchise that has been a benchmark of NFL stability in good times and bad, won five Super Bowls, spawned the careers of Terry Bradshaw, Jack Lambert and Ben Roeth-lisberger and gained a coast-to-coast following was a bit unsettled.
Rooney, the team chairman, and son Art II, the president, were working to keep the team following months of family negotiations, but the outcome was uncertain. The news then was that Dan Rooney’s four brothers might sell their shares to Wall Street billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller, and the Steelers could be out of family control for the first time since their founding, except for a few brief months in 1941.
Despite receiving the kind of news that might have disrupted a less-grounded team’s season, the Steelers accepted the challenge Rooney gave them: Don’t worry about this, we will. You guys go win football games.
“I think they did a wonderful job of not letting it become a distraction, because it was a big deal,” defensive end Brett Keisel said.
The Steelers shook off a difficult schedule and injuries to reach the Super Bowl for a seventh time. They play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Tampa, Fla.
How’s this for contrast in a Super Bowl matchup: The Cardinals have called three cities home since 1960 and the Steelers have had three coaches since 1969.
• Steelers tight end Jonathan Dekker was arrested early Saturday and charged with obstruction of justice in Alexandria, Va. Police did not provide details of the complaint. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2.
2004 draft cornerstone for Cards.
If the Cardinals drafted as well as they did in 2004, they wouldn’t be the Cardinals. The 2004 draft is a big reason the NFL’s longtime losers are in their first Super Bowl.
The Cardinals picked Pitt wideout Larry Fitzgerald in the first round, Auburn LB Karlos Dansby in the second, Florida State DT Darnell Dockett in the third and Oklahoma State DE Antonio Smith in the fifth.
“We definitely think that is the best class the Arizona Cardinals have ever had,” Dockett said.
Jets retain Brian Schottenheimer.
After meeting with coach Rex Ryan and owner Woody Johnson on Thursday, Brian Schottenheimer has decided to return as the the Jets’ offensive coordinator.
Jaguars add to staff.
The Jacksonville Jaguars hired five new assistant coaches: Mel Tucker, Russ Purnell, Johnny Cox, Charlie Jackson and Luke Richesson.
Seahawks’ Hill arrested.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill has been arrested on charges of misdemeanor marijuana possession in Atlanta. A court date has not been set. Hill was released after posting a $1,500 bond. The Associated Press
