Maurkice Pouncey has been the consummate professional for the Pittsburgh Steelers organization since being drafted in 2010. In his rookie campaign, Pouncey Started in all 16 games, was selected to the Pro Bowl, and got high praise from arguably one of the best Centers in Steelers history, Dermontii Dawson.
“Maurkice is going to be a phenomenal player. For him to make the Pro Bowl his rookie year, and you can just see his work ethic and the way he is as a player. I think he is driven and hungry and I think he is going to be a good one for a long time,” said Dawson.
Unfortunately for Pouncey, all of that has changed in an instant. This past week, Pouncey decided to put himself before the organization that pays him millions of dollars to play football when he was seen wearing a, “Free Hernandez” hat. I can understand Pouncey being supportive of Hernandez as these two were teammates at the University of Florida. However, showing blatant disregard for Oldin Lloyd’s family and the victim who was brutally murdered is classless.
Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Steelers organization is all about class. Just ask, Chris Rainey, who was waived by the Steelers following his arrest for a domestic battery incident. Rainey lived with Pouncey during High School and they both played football at the University of Florida.
Pouncey just needs to recognize that there is more to being a professional than what he does as a player for the Steelers. He is a great player, but he is only one player and the Steelers have released players with as much if not more talent left in their careers.
Overall, players today in the NFL or any major sport for that matter don’t care where they play. Look at Mike Wallace, he left a team that contends for a SuperBowl every year for….. money. The Miami Dolphins haven’t been to the playoffs since 2008 and haven’t won a SuperBowl since 1973. Take Jarvis Jones, “I thought I was going to be Cleveland Brown…. But hey I love, Pittsburgh!” Here is Maurkice Pouncey in 2011 ripping a Steelers fan on twitter, “I’m rich! Play for the steelers and have a awesome life! You wish u had my life!! You’re a loser, Rick!”
At the end of the day, these guys could care less where they play just as long as they are getting paid.
