Letter to the editor: Post-season thoughts on Steelers

In reference to the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers season, the onus has been placed upon the coaches, which is mostly valid. I offer my own thoughts on this matter.

Chuck Noll went from the basement to NFL history. He demanded discipline. He drafted the best athletes, not necessarily the big names. Bill Cowher inherited a so-so roster and spit and slobbered his way to the Super Bowl and into the Hall of Fame along with several of his players.

Mike Tomlin did inherit an (obviously) Hall of Fame quarterback and a decent, albeit underachieving in their own history, number of core players. His teams did make it to the Super Bowl twice, winning once. After building his own team, sometimes fraught with disciplinary issues, the sesquipedalian “standard bearer” failed to deliver another championship. Oh, but since eight wins and eight losses is not a losing season, proclaim that glorious “never a losing season” statistic throughout Sportsland.

Thank you, Coach Tomlin, for your efforts and loyalty to to the Pittsburgh Steelers Football Club, the fans and Steeler Nation as a whole. If you feel you are not ready for a sabbatical or retirement, other teams would be happy to have you.

And all of us should remind ourselves that it’s only a game which provides entertainment and a bonding experience. Many other important issues in our lives matter more. Now, on to Penguins hockey!

Richard W. Mondak

Hermitage