Steelers' Mendenhall incurs wrath of club top kick Art Rooney via Twitter gaffes.

Verne Strickland Blogmaster

NFL RUNNING BACK EMOTES ON BIN LADEN'S DEATH, GOD AND 9/11 TERRORIST ATTACKS. YIKES! RASHARD'S BOSS NOT AMUSED.

Vinnie Iyer Sporting News / May 3, 2011 

 

If there weren't enough tension between NFL players and owners during the league's current labor unrest, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall found another way to tick off his boss -- with some ill-timed and ill-advised comments. 

Mendenhall via Twitter, shared a series of sentiments about not believing that slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was behind the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Those thoughts, including criticism about those celebrating bin Laden's death on Monday, prompted Steelers president Art Rooney II to make a counter statement through his team's official website on Tuesday.

 

 Rashard Mendenhall via Twitter, shared a series of sentiments about not believing that slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was behind the terrorist attacks of 9/11. On Tuesday, Steelers president Art Rooney II released a counter statement through his team's official website. (AP Photo)

"I have not spoken with Rashard so it is hard to explain or even comprehend what he meant with his recent Twitter comments," Rooney said. "The entire Steelers' organization is very proud of the job our military personnel have done and we can only hope this leads to our troops coming home soon."

Although Mendenhall, just like everyone in the United States, has freedom of speech, he should be aware that what he said has the potential to cause a public relations nightmare for what's considered to be one of the league's classiest franchises. Rooney wisely was just protecting the interests of his brand.

For the many of you who might not follow Mendenhall on Twitter, here were his (unedited but censored) series of Tweets on the subject:

http://twitter.com/#!/R_Mendenhall
 
"What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man" they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side…"
"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take down a skyscraper demolition style"
(at former Illinois basketball player Dominique Keller)
"I believe in God. I believe we're ALL his children. And I believe HE is the ONE and ONLY judge."
"Those who judge others, will also be judged themselves."
"For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn in hell and p--- on his ashes, I ask how would God feel about your heart?"
"There is not an ignorant bone in my body. I just encourage you to #think."