By Margaret Harding

Published: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 11:46 a.m.
Updated: Friday, November 9, 2012

A Pittsburgh Steelers rookie will stand trial on assault and drunken driving charges.

Alameda Ta'amu waived his right to a preliminary hearing before District Judge Oscar Petite on Thursday. Afterward, with attorney Robert DelGreco at his side, he expressed remorse. Ta'amu's mother accompanied him to the hearing in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.

“I'm sorry,” Ta'amu said. “Sorry is the only word I can say right now.”

Pittsburgh police accused him of fleeing from police, crashing into vehicles and then fighting with officers in the South Side on Oct. 14.

The nose tackle was temporarily suspended from the team.

“He is contrite,” DelGreco said. “He has accepted responsibility, and he is in counseling.”

On Thursday afternoon in the Steelers locker room, Ta'amu, 22, said the team has supported him.

“I have good teammates, and they've helped me a lot. (Bret) Keisel, Casey (Hampton), guys like that, they really have helped me move past this as far as the team is concerned,” Ta'amu said. “I wouldn't say that football is an escape for me, but being in this locker room is a home away from home for me, and I'm comfortable with that.

“So, I'm really fortunate to be on a team like the Steelers, one that has supported me from the very beginning. I really don't have any family in Pittsburgh,” said Ta'amu, of Kent, Wash., “but some of the guys have come over my house. So, that's always nice. And my mom has been here, living with me, for about three weeks now.”

Staff writer Mark Kaboly contributed to this report. Margaret Harding is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-380-8519 or mharding@tribweb.com.

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