Back in the 1970s, the Steelers had plenty of characters and flakes. Running back Frenchy Fuqua had shoes with live goldfish in the heels. Defensive tackle Ernie Holmes was always a couple of bricks shy of a full load -- he suffered a breakdown on a trip to Ohio that ended with him shooting at a police helicopter. In both cases, the Steelers overlooked the craziness because they were key members of the team.Now in the 2000s, the craziest Steeler is the kicker.
Jeff Reed is in trouble for the second time in less than a year. Just hours after the Steelers beat the Browns at Heinz Field, he was cited for public intoxication outside a bar.
According to the Tribune-Review, police were responding to an unrelated incident at McFadden's, a Pittsburgh-area bar, when they spotted Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth urinating outside a vehicle. When the police prepared to ticket Spaeth, Reed stepped out of an SUV and confronted them.
"The officers told him several times to get back in the vehicle, but he did not listen," Davidson said. "Mr. Reed then squared up with an officer by bringing his fists up."Back in February, Reed got in trouble when he beat up a towel dispenser in a New Alexandria, Pa. convenience store bathroom. He eventually pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
Officers tackled Reed and cuffed him at the scene, Davidson said.
"He smelled of a strong odor of alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated," Davidson said.
There's little doubt that Reed likes his booze. You can find photos of the kicker bar-hopping all around the Internet. He's also been an extremely reliable kicker for the Steelers over the past eight seasons. But with his contract up at the end of the year (and the team's inability to reach a contract extension with him in preseason negotiations), it's fair to wonder if Reed's troubles with the law will ensure he's kicking elsewhere next season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Photos
Cleveland Browns' Joshua Cribbs leaps defenders as he rushes for 18 yards after taking a direct snap from center in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/The Repository, Scott Heckel) ** MANDATORY CREDIT **
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin looks on during the fourth quarter of a 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers Lawrence Timmons, left,and James Farrior (51) sack Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson (3), causing a fumble, during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Pittsburgh won 27-14. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) is upended by Cleveland Browns' David Bowens (96) after catching an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. The Steelers won 27-14. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
Cleveland Browns' Alex Hall (51) beats Pittsburgh Steelers center Doug Legursky, top, to a fumble by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. The Steelers won 27-14. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini reacts during the fourth quarter of a 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward, left, hauls in a 51-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as teammate Santonio Holmes (10) blocks Cleveland Browns' Eric Wright, right, in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. The Steelers won 27-14. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis sits on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of a 27-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
Cleveland Browns' receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (11) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. The Steelers won 27-14. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) runs around right end past Cleveland Browns' Brandon McDonald (22) for 11-yards in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. The Steelers won 27-14. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
10-19-2009 @ 1:06PM
cjgdnight said...
Probably Elsewhere OR Nowhere?
Reply
10-20-2009 @ 3:53PM
redfldnparadise said...
Let me get this right. He is on a great team, great organization, won a super bowl and the team is ready to throw money at him to resign. What's wrong with him? Is he drunk or something?
10-19-2009 @ 3:35PM
joecrpschrst said...
A troubled player in Pittsburgh? Nah, you don't say!
Reply
10-19-2009 @ 7:13PM
jj48isgreat said...
Don't tell me that you think that Pittsburgh is the only place with troubled players. Do you honestly believe that?
10-20-2009 @ 9:59AM
Studly said...
Do tell Einstein, who's the other players in Pittsburgh who have run in trouble with the law in the last 20 years? Another un-educated Pittsburgh basher aren't you Joe?
10-20-2009 @ 11:05AM
BigBlue said...
HMMMM i think Ben is going to be facing some charges soon, Harrison in 2008 got in trouble in a domestic violence issue. But Reed id a good ole boy from Carolina. All he did was drink, drink and drink. Thats a common thing for him. Coming from North Carolina that would a basis for running for political office, same as going to South America i guess..
10-20-2009 @ 11:49AM
watdafuk said...
It`s more shocking that it`s the kicker!
10-19-2009 @ 5:44PM
bobbren1 said...
Why not look at what Big Ben is accused of!
Reply
10-19-2009 @ 10:38PM
jjhd98 said...
Big Ben? "Yes," look at what is up with Big Ben. The charges have been found to be an unsubstantiated extortion plot, of which the accuser is in some serious scrutiny and her future endeavors are in serious jeopardy, especially where creditability is concerned. Before you let your fingers do some running where your brain has no clue think about it next time and do a little research so you won't look a repeat offender of a fool.
10-20-2009 @ 9:01AM
Glenn20 said...
jihad98, How about Big Ben's motorcycle adventures? The article isn't only about violations of the law. It's about Pittsburgh's "characters and flakes". Big Ben fits right in.
10-20-2009 @ 9:29AM
Katie said...
The 'magical' word is accused of................in this country, you are innocent until found guilty. How come the accuser doesn't have any friends that she confided in/immediately after 'said' assult????
How come she said she would drop the case if only Ben would make a public apology??????? You don't think she lied and has been caught in her own 'web' and now needs to save 'face' do you??????
10-20-2009 @ 10:31AM
Amy said...
If you believe that whole story, then you are just as crazy as his accuser. She was bragging she thought she was pregnant with his baby! There was no assault and she should be jailed!!!!
10-19-2009 @ 6:01PM
David S. said...
So? Is alcohol illegal? Did I miss something? He wasn't behind the wheel of a car. People are drunk in public all the time. Go to any outdoor event that serves alcohol; church festivals, Oktoberfests, etc. Much ado about nothing.
Reply
10-20-2009 @ 7:04AM
rob said...
Did you even read the story?
10-20-2009 @ 7:49AM
Hugh said...
David, you should work on your reading and comprehension skills. Or not...
10-20-2009 @ 8:32AM
tkspcl said...
David - you're right, nowhere in the article does it say Reed was behind the wheel, it just says he got out of the SUV
10-20-2009 @ 1:34PM
my stuff said...
You missed the point that his buddy was taking a leak in public, and the cop was going to just give the other guy a ticket, but REED, got involved and threatened a cop. So they arrested him. COPS never travel alone and have radio's. Unless you are better organized than them, don't mess with them. They have a badge, gun. and in the courts eyes they are above the law and never make mistakes.
10-19-2009 @ 6:15PM
shighley74 said...
Maybe he can Kick the habit.... whooooo
Reply
10-19-2009 @ 6:27PM
a4manbob said...
IF THERE WERE A THREE DOLLAR BILL
HIS PICTURE WOULD BE ON IT
Reply
10-19-2009 @ 6:35PM
TTTaurus57 said...
This world is much better off with one less "dreaded towel dispenser". As far as him urinating on public property, it's a Pittsburgh thing and he fitting right into the community.
Reply