Pittsburgh Steelers, Rooney Family, Sack Rashard Mendenhall Tweets on Killing of Osama bin Laden

Updated Kenric Ward's blog | Originally Posted: May 3, 2011 1:12

A Pittsburgh Steeler's foray into international commentary has been tackled by team president Art Rooney II and his Florida Republican congressman cousin, Tom Rooney of Tequesta.

Rashard Mendenhall's string of Tweets after the assassination of Osama bin Laden made several debatable points:

"What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side ..."

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition-style."

"Those who judge others will also be judged themselves."

"For those of you who said you want to see bin Laden burn in hell and piss on his ashes, I ask how would God feel about your heart?"

"I believe in God. I believe we're ALL his children. And I believe HE is the ONE and ONLY judge."

Team President Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Tuesday morning:

"I have not spoken with Rashard so it is hard to explain or even comprehend what he meant with his recent Twitter comments. The entire Steelers organization is very proud of the job our military personnel have done and we can only hope this leads to our troops coming home soon."

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney summed up the situation this way:

I think Rashard Mendenhall should focus on football, Rooney told Sunshine State News.

ESPN noted that Mendenhall, a running back from the University Illinois, had put himself into hot water via Twitter. In March, he defended controversial comments made by Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson, who compared the NFL to "modern-day slavery."

"The Steelers did not feel the need to issue a statement the first time. But Tuesday's statement is perhaps a sign the team would prefer Mendenhall not to share all of his views in such a public forum," ESPN said.