I wanted to see commissioner Roger Goodell step up to the podium Thursday night and announce that the Pittsburgh Steelers traded quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
I didn't care where; I wanted him out of Pittsburgh.
Deep down, however, I didn't think it would happen.
Despite all his problems, Roethlisberger still means something to the Steelers -- money.
If Dan Rooney weren't cashing in his endorsement of Barack Obama with his ambassadorship to Ireland, maybe things would be different. He's more of a no-nonsense kind of guy.
But with Art Rooney II calling the shots, I believe character still counts, but Rooney is more of a businessman.
And in the NFL these days, it's a business.
I don't think it was a coincidence that Roethlisberger's six-game suspension can be reduced to four games.
I don't think it was a coincidence that the end of Roethlisberger's suspension would end when the Steelers have their bye week.
And I don't think it was a coincidence that the Steelers' prime-time football games all were back-loaded on the television schedule.
By trading Santonio Holmes, the Steelers said character matters. They practically cheered the punishment of Roethlisberger. And, by allowing the trade rumors to swirl about their quarterback for a day before trying to put out the flames, they can say they gave Roethlisberger a scare.
It's their team, their business. They can run it as they see fit.
But remember, with Roethlisberger still on the team, it was a business decision that ruled the day.
I didn't care where; I wanted him out of Pittsburgh.
Deep down, however, I didn't think it would happen.
Despite all his problems, Roethlisberger still means something to the Steelers -- money.
If Dan Rooney weren't cashing in his endorsement of Barack Obama with his ambassadorship to Ireland, maybe things would be different. He's more of a no-nonsense kind of guy.
But with Art Rooney II calling the shots, I believe character still counts, but Rooney is more of a businessman.
And in the NFL these days, it's a business.
I don't think it was a coincidence that Roethlisberger's six-game suspension can be reduced to four games.
I don't think it was a coincidence that the end of Roethlisberger's suspension would end when the Steelers have their bye week.
And I don't think it was a coincidence that the Steelers' prime-time football games all were back-loaded on the television schedule.
By trading Santonio Holmes, the Steelers said character matters. They practically cheered the punishment of Roethlisberger. And, by allowing the trade rumors to swirl about their quarterback for a day before trying to put out the flames, they can say they gave Roethlisberger a scare.
It's their team, their business. They can run it as they see fit.
But remember, with Roethlisberger still on the team, it was a business decision that ruled the day.
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