Letter to the editor: Rooneys need higher standard for Steelers

The Steelers have given Pittsburgh much. They’ve asked much, too.

For years, Coach Mike Tomlin defenders have fought for his honor because, well, it’s the Steelers. They know what they’re doing. It’s the Rooneys.

The Steelers way. Winning and character, not substandard teams making a Bob Nutting-style buck for a dollar-store product.

It took a long time before Tomlin’s football-proverb-spouting ways wore thin.

But mediocrity is losing in Steeler Country.

Producing mediocrity, Tomlin and the Rooneys aren’t getting mediocrity from the taxpayers on their little corner of Pittsburgh. That area is the most modern, safest, most attractive part of Pittsburgh, and the one most invested in by taxpayers in the past few decades.

The agreement goes like this: Our town found its identity in Papa Rooney’s Steelers and the championships during the dark days of industrial collapse. We’ll wear the gear, build the stadiums and fight for the team’s honor.

They’re to run a top-caliber organization and fix it when it’s broken.

The agreement is strained, the team middling. Proverbs can’t replace winning.

Your turn, Mr. Rooney. In our eyes, your end is not to carry Tomlin until half of Pittsburgh is wearing a Bills jersey.

It’s to fix the problem and get this team back into fighting shape.

Tomlin may, Andy Reid-style, go elsewhere and thrive. I hope, for his joy, he does.

Let him get a fresh start elsewhere … and let’s get the Black and Gold back to a higher standard involving playoff wins and trophies.

James Hogan

McKees Rocks