Letter to the editor: Keeping Tomlin shows disregard for players, fans

I have been a Steelers fan for well over half a century and remember the days when Buddy Parker was allowed to walk away, Mike Nixon was terminated after only one season and Bill Austin was let go after three.

What has followed may have earned Dan and Art Rooney the praise of those who value loyalty, but that quality is well past its sell date, and now reeks of a total disregard for the team’s performance and a complete disdain for its fans.

Moreover, the Steelers organization itself is tarnished. It is well understood by the fans, the media and even Rooney’s peers that 31 NFL franchises employ head coaches on merit, with even the accomplishment of winning a half-dozen Lombardi trophies not exempting one from scrutiny, while one requires absolutely no accountability. Everyone knows Mike Tomlin has been appointed coach for life.

If Rooney’s political circle of friends or some other influence intimidates him from doing what any other NFL owner would have done at least five years ago, he needs to finally exhibit some intestinal fortitude. The Steelers are an immensely talented squad that has underachieved for at least the past 10 seasons, roughly corresponding to when Tomlin’s training wheels were removed and he could choose his own assistants.

If Rooney is content to accept the personal ridicule that will accompany keeping Tomlin employed, he should at least not allow it to spill over to the storied Steelers franchise.

Dave O’Mara

Haymarket, Va.

The writer is a former Bellevue resident.