Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
While most teams celebrate winning a Super Bowl by visiting one of Disney’s famous theme parks, the 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers did so in a different way – shooting confiscated assault weapons into the air.
The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that at least 14 members of the Steelers took part in what the paper is calling a ‘shooting party’ with Pennsylvania State Police troopers in 2006. The images recently began circulating, hence a three-year old story became news today.
The Daily News covered the story from the news angle, taking to task those in the State Police who allowed this sort of party to take place, bringing up both safety and economic concerns. DN scribe Dana DiFilippo has an anonymous state police source who explained:
"It's a state police firing range used for state police to train. When we're there, it's downright military," said one state police official, who requested anonymity. "But at this event, it's chaos. Everybody's throwing contraband assault weapons around like they're toys; it's like they're having G.I. Joe tryouts. Not only is this totally unethical, but it's totally illegal.”
The economic issue stems from the fact that the ‘party’ took place during a time when all the bullets were being counted ... literally. The State Police were under strict orders to limit the number of training rounds used to help with the Pennsylvania’s state budget. But you guys won the Super Bowl so have at it, fellas!
The images are quite hilarious. Giant football players holding giant weapons -- many of which were illegal firearms seized in state police raids – posing with gaggle of older Pennsylvanian women in sun dresses. Hilarious, until you realize the guns were loaded, and those holding the guns had no formal training (and seemingly no training at all with guns, right? Right?)
Most disturbing is a group portrait of the athletes and troopers, in which two players adopt gangster poses and point their firearms at their comrades' heads. In that image, Maj. Harvey Cole Jr., who was the troop's commander but who now heads patrol at the department's Harrisburg headquarters, stands smiling behind a kneeling, gun-toting Joey Porter, at the time a Steelers linebacker.
So far, per the Daily News, the Steelers have no comment. Today, the NFL community will be more interested in the comments of Roger Goodell than anyone else.
UPDATE 2, cont'd, with NFL Gun Policy:
The league also sent over their guns and weapons Policy. We have bolded some items for emphasis.
NFL Guns and Weapons Policy
(This policy applies to all employees of the NFL and its member clubs, including players.)
Prohibitions. Whether possessed legally or illegally, guns and other weapons of any kind are dangerous. You and your family can easily be the losers if you carry or keep these items in your home. You must not possess these weapons while traveling on League-related business or whenever you are on the premise of the following:
* A facility owned, operated or being used by an NFL club (for example, training camp, dormitory, locker room, workout site, parking area, team bus, team plane, team hotel/motel);
* A stadium or any other venue being used for an NFL event (for example, a game, practice or promotion);
* A facility owned or operated by the NFL or any League company.
Put simply, the League, the Players Association and law enforcement Authorities urge you to recognize that you must not possess a gun or other weapon at any time you are performing any service for your team or the NFL.
Legal Possession. In some circumstances, such as for sport or protection, you may legally possess a firearm or other weapon. However, we strongly recommend that you not do so. Any weapon, particularly a firearm, is dangerous-especially so when it is in a vehicle or within reach of children and others not properly trained in its use.
Understanding the Law. If you legally possess a weapon, you must understand the local, state and federal laws that apply. The NFL Security Representative in your area will help you get information about these laws. You should be aware that if you take a weapon from one place to another-for example, across state lines-a different set of laws may apply in the new place.
Discipline. If you violate this policy on guns and other weapons, you are subject to discipline, including suspension from playing. And if you violate a public law covering weapons-for example, possession of an unlicensed firearm-you are not only subject to discipline, including suspension from playing, but also subject to criminal prosecution.
Remember, be careful and understand the risks.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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got to be better gun laws and america..i mean come on.
stuff like this would not happen in canada.contraband weapons would never be used out os the police station,and the weapons would not be allowed out of the shooting range to take this photo(some shooting ranges are inside)whos idea was this and how did it pass and become a reality,this is how i think the conversation went"hey we just won da superbowl wat you wanta do now".."lets go ask those cops if we can shoot some illegal guns in the air dog".."you right,i dont see a problem wit dat..they our guns anyway"
by kristenjohnleblanc on Aug 12, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions
kristenjohnleblanc, You’re really out of order. From my perspective there were no laws broken by the Steelers… perhaps the state police were on the wrong side of the law in this instance, but in America, in Pennsylvania, it is neither illegal < nor > immoral for adults to possess, own, or use firearms. In the case portrayed in the article, the Steelers were involved as invited guests in what was clearly a Pennsylvania State Police sanctioned event and under their direct supervision whilst at that event. I dare say it is not the purview of the Steelers as an organization or as individuals to oversee the legality of the Pennsylvania State Police’s actions, your insinuations to the contrary notwithstanding.
Also, your characterization of the Steelers as "gangstas" betrays your own ignorance and intolerance. Do the USA a favor… stay in Canada!
by pghBigDog on Aug 12, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions
Sounds like these photos were dug up by a disgruntled Ravens fan
by hockey_eh_721 on Aug 12, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions
Whoa, that first post here was way out of line. I give the Steelers a little hell in my posts from time to time, but nothing like that. Keep your opinions about football or keep them to yourself. Or have the balls to come out and make your sickening racial jokes in a more direct manner. Moving on, all the involved parties here are pretty stupid. This looks like a family picnic with machine guns added in. The Bears did something like this several years ago and caught a lot of heat (pun intended) for it. But at least there were no old ladies present then.
by ChiAdam on Aug 12, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions
Canada??? Your right. I’ve been there and seen the most peaceful celebrations, and you can even get a bus ticket and watch a psycho cut off another mans head and nobody will lift a finger for help…. Get over yourself and don’t slam your daddy…
by steelcrazy2 on Aug 12, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions
Don’t worry Chi, plenty of Steeler fans give the Bears and their fans a little hell from time to time and come Sept.20th the Bears offense will endure plenty of hell by the Steelers defense! As for the blog I don’t know what’s true and what’s not let’s just say that I’ve read plenty of articles and blogs where these writers have jumped the gun, get it?
by Steel817 on Aug 12, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions
Oh, this sets such a terrible example. The superbowl winners, shooting guns. Pretty soon every wanna-be team in the NFL will be stockpiling weapons and older ladies. I can see the advertisements now: Peyton Manning spraying bullets he bought with his mastercard. And "UZI: the offical weapon of the NFL!"
by drank12quartsstrohsbeer on Aug 12, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions
Just another example of people looking for something to be outraged over. I’m not sure what the big deal is. Those guns could be unloaded with the safety on in those pictures.
by ChiAdam on Aug 12, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions
As long as there is nothing illegal. It is a free country. Why should we decide on what is politically correct for NFL players or others?
Is it ironic that the pic includes "thug poses" and policemen? Maybe not. It is the gun totin, electrocutin, profilin POLICE.(none imparticular)
That’s what society today is folks.
All that being said and not to jump back and forth over the fence, heck I’d be right in with them if invited or under the circumstance. It’s this article, media portrayal, and the utter lack of real news that makes us look at this four year old picture to begin with!
Glad no one got hurt.
by roosterwes on Aug 12, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions
What year is it again? Oh, that’s right, 2009. Everyday the boundaries of political correctness get smaller and smaller. Non-story IMO.
by cjbassett on Aug 12, 2009 6:08 PM EDT reply actions
This is a very biased story. Just because the author is anti gun doesn’t mean this should have been published. If Canada wants tough gun laws so be it. These guns were not going anywere and the state police were there the whole time. This is america and yes a free country. We are getting our rights taken away one at a time and its very sad that some people in the media are using there jobs to further there own agendas!!! Sorry but I think this is a non story also.
by D.J. Sappenfield on Aug 12, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions
Did anyone die…no. Who cares!
by MR#1 on Aug 12, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions
Go ahead and say it, Pissburgh…Who Dey- We Dey…Thugs. I guess times are truly tough in Pittsburgh. I mean, Minnesota got to go on a "cruise". Why can’t pittsburgh shoot off a few illegal weapons? Maybe what you couldn’t see in this picture were Michael Vicks dogs they were trying to fend off????
by robbtodd23 on Aug 12, 2009 11:29 PM EDT reply actions
That photo is awesome!
I want one and want it autographed by all the players!
by PinkFloyd on Aug 12, 2009 11:50 PM EDT reply actions
Check out ol’ granny off to the left; guess who brought the cheesecake to go along with the hot lead? I can hear Goodell groaning, and the NRA saying "oh yeah!" right now.
Seriously, this is not good for NFL. Aside from the point-counterpoint gun control issue, I’m not sure what message their sending with this photo, but it aint good, I can tell you that.
by rbdonovan on Aug 13, 2009 12:36 AM EDT reply actions
Well…at least they didn’t go to a dog fight.
by BradKT on Aug 13, 2009 3:32 AM EDT reply actions
"It’s a state police firing range used for state police to train. When we’re there, it’s downright military," said one state police official, who requested anonymity.
Why do many police officers think they have anything to do with the military? Last time I checked, they’re still civilians. Asinine.
by CBass3 on Aug 13, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions
wow. dan levy, you are the poster boy for no talent hack journalists….or bloggers…..or whatever it is you call yourself.
a 3 year old photo? and you run this garbage NON story?
are you pushing some kind of anti gun agenda or do you really suck this bad at journalism? i think it is both myself.
And if you violate a public law covering weapons-for example, possession of an unlicensed firearm-you are not only subject to discipline, including suspension from playing, but also subject to criminal prosecution.
criminal prosecution by the state police that set up this event??
you friggin ball bag. but i guess you got your hits and thats all that counts. get a real job cause you suck at this one.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
by dwb on Aug 13, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions
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