Three years after the fact, accounts have emerged of a gun-shooting party involving the Pittsburgh Steelers and a state police facility at nearby Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, at least 14 Steelers participated in the 2006 event, using ammunition provided by the state police and illegal assault weapons from the evidence room.
The matter came to light now due to photographs showing Steelers players posing with various weapons, and in some images pointing weapons at teammates’ heads.
Said one state police official: “It’s a state police firing range used for state police to train. When we’re there, it’s downright military. But at this event, it’s chaos. Everybody’s throwing contraband assault weapons around like they’re toys; it’s like they’re having G.I. Joe tryouts. Not only is this totally unethical, but it’s totally illegal.”
It’s not the first time that an NFL team has found itself in the middle of a controversy involving a law enforcement agency’s shooting range. During the 2005 season, Bears center Olin Kreutz and tackle Fred Miller got into a brawl at an FBI facility where players had taken target practice -- and had attended a barbecue at which alcohol was served. The two players were fined $50,000 each by the league office.