Abusive football player off the hook by being “a good Christian”

No joke.
While the Steelers are getting quite the rep for violence against women as of late, the team managers have turned a blind eye to a player slapping his girlfriend because what he was trying to do “was really well worth it.”
While Cedrick Wilson was released from the team for punching his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday night, James Harrison was decidedly okie dokie to stay after assaulting his girlfriend earlier this month.

On March 8, Harrison was charged with assaulting his girlfriend, Beth Tibbot, in her Ohio Township home. According to a police affadavit, Harrison broke down a door, broke Tibbot’s cell phone in half as she attempted to call 911, then slapped her face with an open hand, knocking off her glasses. He was charged with simple assault and criminal mischief and faces an April 3 preliminary hearing before a magistrate in Bellevue.

When the team was questioned as to why one player is being released while the Harrison isn’t, they replied that violence against women should basically be condoned on a case-by-case basis:

In Harrison’s case, Rooney [team chairperson] said the player was trying to take his son to be baptized.
“What Jimmy Harrison was doing and how the incident occurred, what he was trying to do was really well worth it,” Rooney said of Harrison’s initial intent with his son. “He was doing something that was good, wanted to take his son to get baptized where he lived and things like that. She said she didn’t want to do it.”(Emphasis mine)

Beating a woman up is okay as long as it’s “well-intentioned”! When the team was accused of condoning Harrison’s actions, they released a statement saying: “To clarify the comments made earlier regarding the conduct of our players, in no way do we condone domestic violence of any kind. . . Each incident must be considered on a case-by-case basis. In the situation with James Harrison, he contacted us immediately after his incident and has taken responsibility for his actions.” Not too convoluted, huh?
The Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh is attempting to reach out the Steelers about giving the players training on intimate partner issues. In the meantime, email the Steelers or call their administrative offices at 412) 432-7800 and tell them that condoning violence against women in any case is not okay.
Thanks to Breanna for the link.