I use to hate the NFL off season. There was never anything going on with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’d just quietly go about their business and fans like me would crave anything that would reconnect with me the team during the off season. If and when this proud and historic franchise ever gets back to “boring” – trust me, I’ll be the last one to complain.

While I’ve kept quiet about all these off season and off field activities I have been kept a very close eye on the embarrassing antics of these very young, and very dumb jocks, mostly via the sport media on Television and via the internet. The news appeared to come to a head yesterday as Santonio Holmes was traded to the New York Jets for his off field antics in Florida and Ben Roethlisberger’s embarrassment has been dropped by the District Attorney here in Georgia.

Neither were surprising.

Santonio was in the last year of his contract in 2010 and while he’s been a dynamic player (a Super Bowl MVP as a matter of fact) he never seemed to fit the Steelers mold as a blue color type of player. It’s one thing to quote that “it’s time to be great” on the field, but it’s another to “be great” in all other areas of your life. He’s always reminded me of Plaxico Burress – who eventually ended up winning a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants. But Burress couldn’t get out of his own way long enough to keep him out of jail. As it stands right now, Santonio is heading in that same direction.

I hope he can straighten his life out – and I know it’s possible – but only Santonio can control that. Currently, I see absolutely no indication from Santonio that he even cares to change. In fact, the way I see it, his arrogance continues to grow without any sign that he’s willing to act like a respectable adult.

Ben’s apology and statement last night however, does tell of remorse and a desire to be the role model the NFL and Pittsburgh fans want him to be. Saying it, and actually doing it however are two different things. The talk IS starting to wear a bit thin – even for me.

Just because criminal charges have not been filed does not mean that Ben’s completely off the hook. We have two other factors that we’re still awaiting a final outcome from the Rooney family and from the NFL Commissioner himself. Here’s Roger Goodell’s conduct policy :

“It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. You are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which the league is based, and is lawful.

“Persons who fail to live up to this standard of conduct are guilty of conduct detrimental and subject to discipline.”

At this point, the Rooney’s have already made a sufficient statement with Santonio, trading him to the New York Jets for a fifth round draft pick next week. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Rooney family is satisfied with whatever the Commissioner hands down for Ben and allow whatever punishment he sees fit to speak for the family as a unified voice of how a Pittsburgh Steeler should conduct themselves off the field.

For as long as I’ve been a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, that’s been the Rooney way. I can count on one hand the number of players that were busts off the field like Santonio and Ben have been. (Joe Gilliam, Bam Morris, Eric Green and Plaxico Burress.) We as fans and supporters are pretty spoiled in that regard.

Both Ben and Santonio have a chance to redeem themselves in the public eye at this point. They can use this experience to help other players and fans alike if done the proper way. That’s what good role models do. As fans we need to remember that getting bitter and angry about either situation serves no one. From some of the comments I’ve seen on some of the message boards and blogs, both Santonio and Ben are living “rent free” inside the heads of these fans and/or critics who for one reason or another need to feel like a victim – that’s why they side for the victims in both cases.

What these boys need are tools to help them become responsible and respectable members of our society as men. Not some bogus judgment that only serves as a prop to elevate the one who is casting judgment.

Bottom line for me is both are very young, very rich, and neither fully understand the responsibilities they have as an NFL player and role model. That may come with age, and from taking personal responsibility for their actions. I remember hitting bottom at 25 when I quit drinking – so I know it’s possible.

Time will tell if it’s actually doable for both Santonio and Ben.

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I know I drove some of you nuts earlier in the year with my obsession over my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. About all I can tell you is that it’s my blog, and the Steelers are my team.

The NFL season starts tonight in “prime time” as the six time Super Bowl Champions Pittsburgh Steelers match up against the Tennessee Titans.

Life is once again “good”!

NFL Kickoff 2009 – National Spot from Chris Gargani on Vimeo.

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Not the way you would like to start the year.

Earlier in the week news of a civil lawsuit came out against two time Super Bowl Champion of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger. Just weeks before he heads to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Ben finds himself the center of media attention accused of rape. Ben and the Steelers will be defending last years Lombardi Trophy going into the 2009 season. (Make that SIX Lombardi Trophies.)

A 31-year-old Nevada woman filed the civil lawsuit alleging the Super Bowl winning quarterback raped her in a hotel penthouse last year. The woman was working as a VIP casino host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe at the time, and claims in the lawsuit the rape took place in Roethlisberger’s room after he called her saying that the sound on his TV was not working.

I read a news report that said that Ben was the one who made the bogus complaint, (that being the sound not working) but after a full year of silence, and this woman not even filing a police report makes me question which complaint is bogus. Roethlisberger made his first public statement yesterday afternoon and vowed to fight what he called “outrageous allegations.” Clearly agitated about the fact the he is in the public eye over something like this he spoke these words yesterday at the Pittsburgh training facility:

“The allegations against me are reckless and false,” Roethlisberger said. “As much as I’d like to answer everyone’s questions I’m going to respect the legal process and I’m confident that the truth will prevail.”

Roethlisberger’s attorney, David Cornwell, released a statement also saying the charges were false:

“The timing of a lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct,” he said.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of stunt. Back in 2002 “The Bus”, (Jerome Bettis) was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Westmoreland County. When police went to investigate, about two dozen people and learned of a plan by the woman’s Uncle to get money from Bettis by manufacturing a sexual misconduct charge.

The charges against “The Bus” were soon dropped.

While I don’t personally know the two time Super Bowl Champion, from what I’ve read about him, seen of him, and the leadership I’ve witnessed over the last 5 years on the football field, I’m betting that this case will be dropped as well.

There, I think lies the crux of this issue. This isn’t about rape, but about Ben’s status. Like the money grab that was thrown out of court filed against YTB earlier in the week, this too is about taking unfair advantage of a situation in search of an easy buck. From what I’ve seen in some reports, the allegations in the suit filed against Ben are so flimsy that it too could be thrown out by a Judge when the time comes to put it on the docket.

Call it jealousy, bitterness or anger over someone being more successful than you are. People find all kinds of creative ways to bring someone down to their level, and it doesn’t have to be about money. Because of my status here on the internet, and doing what I love to do, people poke at me all the time. This week is a perfect example.

I broke the story here on the internet about YTB’s class action being thrown out, and admittedly rubbed it in the face of all the critics who had been yammering for almost a year about how this would crush YTB. While we in YTB have been celebrating that the truth finally coming to light, critics have pulled the egg off their own face and are attempting to throw it back in mine.

I read late last night in amusement a day long dialog concerning my inability to support my wife and my family. The claims of being an embarrassment to children for being an MLM junkie and that my wife of 12 years is ready to throw me out of the house surrounded the conversation. In addition, I found out that I’m also broke.

Apparently being open about participating in an MLM and writing about my experience, makes me powerful and important enough that some spent time and energy digging for anything they could find to convince themselves and others that I’m not worth listening to. (Ironic I know.)

What they dug up was a credit card battle we are entangled in to anger and feed the illusions and myths surrounding MLM’ers. In 2008, two of our credit card companies decided to jack up our interest rates to what we felt was excessive, and were unwilling to lower their rates. After seeking legal counsel, the only way we could get their attention was to cut all the cards off, and stop paying them. What resulted was a list of law suits from every one of the credit card companies demanding their money. While this has been unpleasant and time consuming, we are in fact making settlements on amounts that we mutually agree upon to resolve the debt owed. Under the advisement of counsel, it was the only way we would be able to pay only the amount we owed for the purchases we actually made, and not the exorbitant interest that the banks wanted.

But alas, the pitch is that we got in so deep that we couldn’t get out and are now putting the burden on them (as taxpayers no less) so it can feed their anger and resentment towards yours truly. None of these spineless weasels would realize how to stand up for ones self or how to take personal responsibility if their life depended on it. It’s never about them and how they can spend an entire day posting on the internet instead of being productive and providing income to put food on the table for themselves and possibly their families.

And through it all, not a peep surrounding a reckless and false class action that was just thrown out which previously was thought to be a “powerful” lawsuit by the same group. Misguided as it is, none of them dare call out the Judge who spanked the Plaintiff’s in their redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous class action lawsuit.

Instead, yours truly is called out for “pimping”, while others see value in what I’ve done switching over to WordPress for their own business blog, and not only using Aweber for their own newsletter, but using a similar look and feel with the same logos I have for Twitter and Facebook.

Me thinks thou dost protest too much.

Angry? Hardly. While they do say one thing on the internet slamming me, the actions of following my lead show signs of respect for which I am flattered. Not to mention the attention and time spent obsessing and talking about little ol’ me. The lesson learned here is that if you don’t like the heat, you need to stay out of the kitchen. Being in the public eye, and being open about who you are and proud of what you do will attract pot shots and blows below the belt from people who need to focus on someone else’s faults so they don’t have to look at their own.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s perfect and doesn’t have a few skeletons in their own closet. I’ve been very open about my alcoholism for example. The difference is, I’m able to use it as an advantage after 20 years of sobriety. I wrote a piece yesterday on my Examiner column about using credit cards responsibly. Personally, I think taking my own experience, good or bad, can be used as a lesson for someone else who might be in the same boat. Of course that’s why so many appreciate what I do here and on my newsletter because I inform and educate those that are willing to grow both personally and professionally. Those that aren’t spend their time as some anonymous screen name on a message board picking apart someone else’s life.

Sad and disappointing to be sure, but that’s the life they choose. The key however is not to give them the same power and control you apparently have on them. Correct it, disarm it, and let it go so you can move on. Those that are able to see the truth for what it is will follow, and those who don’t…

Thanks for sharing.

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When the “Cowher Power” era ended in January of 2007 I had hoped that Ken Whisenhunt would take his place.  Ken’s a Georgia Tech Alumni, and from Augusta, Georgia. Ken was also Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator the same year the Steelers drafted Ben Roethlisberger (2004). That year Roethlisberger went on to set an NFL record with wins in his first 13 career starts en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The next season he became the youngest QB in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. (Pittsburgh’s 5th Super Bowl victory and Lombardi Trophy.)

When Mike Tomlin’s name appeared, I had never heard of him before he was hired as Pittsburgh’s 3rd Head Coach since 1969. He came out of nowhere and like anyone you never heard of before, you have doubts as to their abilities and effectiveness to lead an NFL team to the playoffs. About the only thing I felt comfortable with was that Tomlin got his NFL start as a Coach with Tony Dungy down in Tampa.

Tomlin did however make an almost immediate impact in a positive way. Tomlin liked the so-called Tampa 2 cover scheme popularized by Dungy and assistant Monte Kiffin in Tampa Bay, one that had its roots in Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s — a defense that played a 4-3. Dungy played on one of those four Steelers Super Bowl-winning teams.

But Tomlin didn’t rush to install the 4-3 and instead retained defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a proponent of the 3-4 and zone blitzing schemes. Tomlin matched his defenses to the skills of the players he had — and that produced the leagues #1 overall defense this year.

Tomlin was quoted in a 2007 Press Conference, “You’ve got to be flexible and do what your guys do well.”

Smart guy. It was a remarkable move, and one that looks to have certainly paid off. Not many have that type of humility to admit they might not have the best “game plan” in order to achieve success. Tomlin realized however, that the defense he was inheriting was not only built for 3-4, but it was successful under the guidance of Dick LeBeue.

Ken Whisenhunt on the other hand, took a team, and a culture that has not seen a Championship in over half a century and has guided them to the Super Bowl in only his second year. While I don’t know Arizona as well as Pittsburgh, I believe many of the same talent is still there when Whisenhunt landed the job two years ago. In a way, what Whisenhunt has done with the Cardinals is even MORE remarkable than what Tomlin has done. Tomlin’s team and philosophy was already there, for decades, just like Whisenhunt’s. The difference is that Whisenhunt needed to change the team’s thinking and structure in order to make it a winner.

Whisenhunt took what he knew best, that being a philosophy and thinking to turn a struggling team who’s only had one winning season since 1990 and landed them in the World Championship. Not to take anything away from Mike Tomlin, because what he has been able to maintain as a winning attitude says something about his leadership, but Ken Whisenhunt just created one of those “Extreme Makeovers” that Pittsburgh first started to see back in 1969 with the hiring of Chuck Noll. (After some 40 years of losing.)

I received a comment here on the blog and also have gotten e-mails and phone calls that Pittsburgh should be able to handle Arizona in the Super Bowl. With the Leagues best defense this year in the NFL, it certainly makes the match up attractive. However, before I go pounding my chest over any match up, I need to look at the last three weekends of playoff football. I recall the same speculation from experts who thought Atlanta, Carolina, AND Philadelphia should advance and all three teams will be at home in a little less than two weeks watching Arizona play against my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.

That’s why they play the game.

I wasn’t sure about this match up or if I even liked the idea of an Arizona vs Pittsburgh Super Bowl. Honestly, like most everyone else, thought Pittsburgh vs Philidelphia would be printed on the tickets. Now that it’s had some time to digest, I like the connection, because I like Whisenhunt and the story he brings to this event.

Not everyone that follows the NFL will appreciate it the way I do. But then again, I’m not the average NFL fan. I love the game, the League, and my team. I have for as long as I can remember. Of course, winning 5 Championships tends to lend a hand in that.

We’ll have to see if we can start adding rings to the other hand on February 1st, 2009.

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Our Father, Who Art in Pittsburgh, Football Be Thy Game,

Thy Kingdom Come, 5 Super Bowls Won, On Earth as it is in Heinz Field,

Give us this Day a playoff Victory, And forgive us our penalties, As we defeat those who play against us.

But lead us into victory – And deliver us to Tampa!

A-Ben

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I love the NFL. Currently, we are sandwiched between two weekends of 12 hours (or MORE!) of NFL football spread over both Saturday and Sunday.

Ahh, Heaven.

I’ve always enjoyed this game, and while I never played organized football as a kid, (Mom thought it was too dangerous) I dreamed of playing in the NFL. Sure I played pick up games in the neighborhood, and was able to convince my parents that flag football was safe enough to play, but I never got a chance to put on pads to pound any receivers who attempted to come across the middle. (Not in MY HOUSE) While I was too small to be a lineman, I was well suited to be a defensive back.

I recently looked up the odds in making it the NFL. As a Network Marketer, you endure critics and naysayers with extremely limiting beliefs who always point to odds. For most critics there is a real fascination and an incredible amount of attention on this illusion of the slim chance anyone has in making it in this industry. (We’ve heard of failure rates as high as 99%, while documentation concerning YTB states otherwise.) Odds can also be used as tool used to protect those we care about, or if it’s a personal shortcoming, a stat that makes us feel “average”.

Personally, I think odds are for suckers and excuse makers. Only to be pointed out to make ourselves and others feel better about our surroundings when our dreams, aspirations, and goals come up short.

I’ve often asked myself why be average? Life just seems too short, and there is too much out there to experience to settle for average. Be that as it may, as a society, we’re comfortable with “average” I guess because it makes us feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

When you think about the odds in making it in the NFL, there are 32 teams with 53 on the roster and 22 “starters” each, which makes 1696 total, but also means only 704 of the “lucky ones” will be playing a game they love at the professional level during the short 16 week season, and only 1 team of 32 professional teams will be able to claim themselves as “Champions” at the end of the year.

If someone wasn’t drafted out of college to come to the NFL and remained undrafted, you would think there would be a considerable amount of people who would point to those odds to help them feel better. Heck, I could even justify it with odds of 1 in 100,000, and that’s only includes the college ranks.

If you follow the NFL like I do however, there are plenty who are undrafted college players who sign as “free agents” and make the cut to play in the NFL. Willie Parker was one, and so was James Harrison. “Fast Willie” made a mark for himself during Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl run, and now holds a Super Bowl record for the longest touchdown run from scrimmage. (75 yards)

James Harrison however, had a slightly rougher road to travel. Not only was he undrafted, but he was cut three times, (twice by Pittsburgh and once by Baltimore) before he made the Steeler roster last year. I’m wondering how many times he was told after being undrafted combined with being cut, three times no less, that the “odds” were not in his favor and it’s okay to be “average” when it comes to NOT making it in the NFL.

Harisson did have one claim to fame during his stints with the Steelers and the Ravens which was documented back in 2005 when he slammed an out of control Cleveland fan to the turf, WWF style no less, during a Christmas weekend game at Heinz Field. (News coverage and video can be found here.) Not exactly what you want to be known for to document an illustrious carrier in the NFL.

But Harrison, like so many others with dreams and goals, was a stubborn man. Deep down inside, there was something driving him to move forward with his dream. He didn’t care about “odds” and he certainly didn’t want to settle for “average”. Harrison was determined to make it in the NFL.

Opportunity came knocking before the 2007 season after first round starter Joey Porter moved his $5 Million contract with his big and boisterous mouth, (which coincidentally was backed up with big and boisterious plays) to Miami. Many, including me didn’t understand the move in letting someone like Porter go, but in defense of Steelers Personnel Directors, Pittsburgh has a very long lineage outstanding linebackers since the early 70′s when Hall Of Fame linebackers named Ham and Lambert wreaked havoc for opposing teams. (Both Lambert and Harrison were from Kent State.) Harrision was re-signed by the Steelers in 2007 as an afterthought one week before training camp due to Clark Haggans , Porter’s tagged replacement for the season had broken his hand.

It’s not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You have to be the right person in the right place at the right time.
~ T. Harv Eker

What if Harrison wasn’t working out before the season? What if he feared being cut again? What if he lost his dream?

What may shock some is that Harrison still believed he could contribute. He also had some lofty goals. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that he had a goal of 12 sacks before the 2007 season started. He recorded 8.5 sacks in 2007 and doubled that to 16 sacks for 2008, the most in one season by any Steelers Linebacker, and he also leads the NFL for all Linebackers over the last two years with 24 total sacks.

During the 2007 season Harrison took full advantage of his opportunity. I still remember a Monday night game against Balitmore last year when Harrison had 10 tackles, caused 3 forces fumbles, had 3.5 sacks, and added an interception for good measure.

Joey who?

That’s what we’re now saying after his second full season as a starter in this League of incredible odds. Why, because he never gave up, he never doubted, he never waiverd from his belief that he could be something in the NFL. Today James Harrison is going to his 2nd straight Pro Bowl, named the Steelers MVP by his own team for the second straight year, and on Monday, he was named the NFL’s 1st Undrafted Defensive Player of the Year.

And some will still ask…What are the odds?

There are obsitles in everything we do in life. There are times when they appear to be outside forces that are insurmountable and other times when they, quite frankly are nothing more than self imposed. (Which Harisson readily admits in this New York Times Article.) The only thing really stopping you (or anyone for that matter) is a mear 7 inches that fit oddly enough between your own ears.

The next time someone tells you about odds, and you have a dream, a desire to dare something worthy, think about this too small, too slow, undrafted, and unwanted Linebacker who defied the odds and not only made it in the NFL, but made it in a big way.

For you, it might be time to stop hiding out, and start stepping outside the comfort of being “average” and start acting like an MVP. It’s the only way you can be in the right place at the right time, AND be the right person at the right time.

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Have I ever mentioned what a HUGE Steelers fan I am?

While I moved from Pittsburgh here to Atlanta back in 1992, you can take the boy out of the city, but you can never take the Steelers out of the boy. After the move, I would frequent one of many Steelers Fan Clubs here in Atlanta to watch the games each Sunday, and finally convinced Ronda to let me get NFL Sunday Ticket after our daughter was born.

Heaven.

Well for me at least. Ronda on the other hand digs out a small pillow with the following phrase embroidered on it which is prominently displayed above the entertainment center.

“We interrupt this marriage to bring you the NFL Football Season”

Now that the NFL Network is airing 365 days a year, I can get my fix 24/7 and the family has come to understand this obsession. (Well, at least accept it.) Intensity increases from the time training camps open in late July to the end of the Pro Bowl in February the intensity and love for this game and my team never fades or diminishes.

One of the things I look forward to during the season are the mid week NFL Power Polls, which rank the 32 NFL Teams in several publications and web sites. Pittsburgh has always been in the Top 10 for the last several years, but even after winning the Super Bowl several years ago, this team has never been ranked number one. (The Steelers were a 6th seed in the playoffs that year.)

Much to my surprise and delight, as some of the rankings came in via e-mail and after going out to find the other Power Rankings that I frequent, every one of the poles that I could find now ranks my Steelers as tops in the league.

They would include:

• ESPN
• Fox Sports
• NBC Sports
• CBS Sports
• NFL Fan House
• Scout.com
• Sports Illustrated
  

And this weekends match up in Nashville, against once rival and hated divisional opponent, the Tennessee Titans, could set the stage to determine just will play at home throughout the NFL playoffs.

On another note concerning the Steelers and it’s ownership, it looks as if one of the most storied franchises in the league will remain in hands of the Rooneys. While I had suggested back in July that Coach would be a perfect candidate to continue the ethics, integrity, and tradition following the Rooney family if it did infact need to change hands, I’m pleased to see that the Rooneys have been able to work things out with the league.

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