So if running back Larry Johnson clears waivers and becomes a free agent, where would he like to play?
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson hopes to be a Steeler.
And, frankly, the Steelers would be one of the few teams that would be undeterred by Johnson’s history of misconduct, if the Steelers decide that they want him. Sure, if he wasn’t a very good player, the fact that he has a history of disrespecting women and a more recent habit of homophobic slurs would keep the Steelers from ever considering him. But if the Steelers decide that Johnson can help the cause, we’ll hear about second chances and mitigating circumstances.
Case in point? Current Steelers linebacker James Harrison and former Steelers receiver Cedrick Wilson engaged in similar conduct only a week or so apart in March 2008. Excuses were made for Harrison; Wilson received no such consideration.
The Steelers aren’t the only sports team to apply a double standard. But at a time when plenty of NFL teams fret about the potential fallout from the arrival of controversial players, the Steelers are fortunate to have a forgiving fan base and a local media that consists of plenty of eyes accustomed to looking the other way.