Rooney accepts invitation for Steelers to visit White House

[Bill McBlueState]

So, do you think any of the Steelers will refuse the invitation on principle? I think it would be great if at least one of them did.

Rooney accepts invitation for Steelers to visit White House

Thursday, February 09, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A ringing telephone early Monday woke Dan Rooney from a deep, satisfying sleep in his hotel room the morning after the Steelers' Super Bowl triumph.

"I reach over and pick it up and a lady's on the phone," Rooney recounted yesterday. "She says, I have President Bush for you."

...

Bush then invited Rooney and the Steelers to the White House at a date to be determined. Rooney, of course, accepted. The last time the Steelers visited the White House at the chief executive's invitation, they did so with the Pirates, both World Champions in their respective 1979 seasons. Jimmy Carter was president then.

...

[erpowers]

1. Most Likely to Skip

Do you have any nominations for who is most likely to skip the event?

[Bill McBlueState]

2. I should dig around in the contribution databases

All I know for sure is that Bettis is a big Repub. I'm sure a lot of the Steelers have no love for Bush, but at the moment I don't know whether any of them would make a principled stand of it.

[dr.zoidberg]

3. Well, it is tradition.

Hell, I'd go for it. For some of them, it doesn't really matter who is president. Hell, you get to go to D.C. on someone else's tab, and you get to be with teammates, some of which are probably you're good friends. Hell, I'd go if given the opportunity. If certain players don't want to go, then that is fine, too. I just hope that we won't have some idiot start hating on players for going. If someone's going to hate the Steelers or certain player because of them going to the White House, then those persons are fucking insane

[Bill McBlueState]

4. most people would go

It's like people who bitch about Bettis because he's a Republican -- he's just acting in his own best interest. It's unfortunate, and I like Franco a lot better because he's got good politics, but I'm not gonna get all pissed off about Bettis. He's a great football player first and a political leader ... much further down the list.

I fully expect the great majority of the team to go, but it would be kinda cool if someone refused.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Rooney's a big affirmative action man.

The requirement to interview blacks for coaching openings is The Rooney Rule.

But an invitation from the White House is an invitation from the White House. Doesn't matter the occupant.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

6. Rooney also kept a past-his prime RB and a coach for 14 years til SB win

You think an Al Davis type would EVER do that? What's the "life expectancy" these days for Raider's Head Coaches...2 years? I think the Rooney family has consistently shown Democratic ideals no matter how they contribute politically.

[RamboLiberal]

9. Exactly - Rooney's are good people

An invite to the WH is an invite - I'm just sorry to see it's Bush that gets to greet my beloved Steelers.

I'm sorry so many athletes go Repub cause of the money.

I'll even give Lynn Swann some credit - during the Super Bowl celebration parade here in the Burgh Tuesday when Lynn was at the podium and some in the crowd started chanting "governor, governor," he told them that it wasn't the time for that - this was the time to celebrate this group of Steelers as Super Bowl Champions.

As to Al Davis - he's a pig in my book. I hope our offensive coordinator doesn't sign with him.

[timber84]

10. He's staying with the Steeler's

so says espn today.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

11. Steelers' Offensive Coordinator To Stay In Pittsburgh (story link)

PITTSBURGH -- After interviewing with an out-of-town team, the Steelers' offensive coordinator has announced he has withdrawn his name from consideration and is staying in Pittsburgh.

Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt returned to Pittsburgh on Thursday after interviewing one day earlier with the Oakland Raiders for their vacant head coaching position.

Oakland has been without a coach since Norv Turner was fired Jan. 3, following a 4-12 season.


But Whisenhunt said he loves his job in Pittsburgh and wants to stay with the Steelers.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/sports/6881579/detail.html

[RamboLiberal]

12. I was just about to post that - great news!

IMHO Whiz has been one of the best OC's the Steelers ever had in the Cowher era.

[Bill McBlueState]

13. kick ass!

Who would want to have anything to do with those crooks in Oakland anyway?

[SethInUpstateNY]

15. That's great news!

[Bill McBlueState]

14. the article says Dan Rooney's a Democrat

On newsmeat.com the family's contributions are diverse, but they've been donating to Murtha lately.

But either way, I agree; these guys are above political labels and run the team the way Democrats would.

[Ravenseye]

7. I'd go, no question

I would go so that when Bush shook my hand I could say "Can't wait till you're out of here, you smirky dick."

[Hobarticus]

8. Great story about athletes visiting the WH...it goes both ways

From "A Good Walk Spoiled", about the PGA.

I can't remember who was the team captain was at the time, but when the US team was leaving for England for the Ryder's Cup, they received an invite from then-POTUS Clinton to stop by the White House before they flew out.

A few of the team grumbled openly about honoring a Democrat in the White House....whereupon the team captain said that whoever said another word would get swapped for an alternate, effective immediately. Boom. On the spot.

Discussion over. The petulant millionaires did their grip-and-grin with Bill and went on their merry way.

At the end of the day, an invite to the White House is an invite to the White House, no matter what your feelings about the man in the office. Respect the office, not the man.

[theHandpuppet]

16. Actually...

It's an invitation, not an invite. ;)

[Hobarticus]

20. I'm trying to be 'street'....how's it working? n/t

[HuckleB]

17. Of course, it's not just a Republican vs. Democrat issue.

We are now dealing with possibly the worst, most unAmerican White House in history.

It's nice to know that Ozzie Guillen, Scott Podsednik and Freddy Garcia will all skip when the Sox go.

[theHandpuppet]

19. Really? That's cool!

I only wish more high profile athletes would take a stand against this misadministration. If so many other of our fellow Americans can take a stand -- some risking jobs and jail time to do so -- why does everyone seem to give pro athletes a free pass?

[Hobarticus]

21. You are right...but again, respect the office, not the man....

As repugnant as it is, I'd accept an invitation to the WH. I'd smile and tell him he's the worst president ever and a pathetic excuse for a human being while I was shaking his hand, but I'd accept the invitation.

[HuckleB]

25. That is your choice.

I would have gone to see any other president in history. At this junction in history, I would need to take a stand against going, in order to respect the office and its history.

[tcfrogs]

18. Was hoping someone would bring this up

Was just recently re-reading Feinstein's book and recalled that story from 1993.

Can't recall the captain - Watson maybe? I'll grab the book tomorrow for more details.

[Mike Daniels]

22. Actually, the Steelers and Bush have something in common

in that they both got their current position as a result of questionable officiating.

[Bill McBlueState]

23. boooo!!!

One could also argue that they both got their current position as a result of the opponent never really showing up.

[Mike Daniels]

24. True. Actually, I was joking about the Steelers and am glad they won

I just wanted to see how that comment would fly though. :)

[kathy14-0]

26. I'd go

Just so I could tell the SOB what I think of his sorry ass. I couldnt pass a chance like that up.