Posted October 21, 200520 yr comment_3722984 PITTSBURGH -- The agent for Tommy Maddox said the Steelers quarterback's family has been abused and fans tossed debris into his yard after a poor performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Maddox threw three interceptions, including one returned by the Jags for a game-winning touchdown in overtime Sunday at Heinz Field. Agent Vann McElroy said Maddox's wife has had to drive their children to school to shield them from abuse. Maddox has also been the target of heavy criticism on ThePittsburghChannel.com's Steelers message board ever since the Jacksonville game. McElroy said fans need to take a step back and realize what's best for Maddox and his family. Maddox refused an interview in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, saying that he just wants the abuse to go away. "When you start taking it outside the field, to the kids, to me you have crossed the line. It's a classless thing to do," said Coach Bill Cowher. Ben Roethlisberger, whom Maddox was replacing Sunday because of a knee injury, came to his teammate's defense. "People need to realize -- I know they won't -- but they need to realize there was 45 mph winds out there. It was tough," Roethlisberger said. "A lot of those plays were not his fault. The winds were knocking the balls down and there was no way he should have got the criticism he did. I was out there trying to support him and let him know that it was definitely not his fault." "I have been here five years, and I have received a lot of support during those five years. Fans are fans, and some people are going to react he way they are react. That is the way this game goes," said Maddox. Roethlisberger is expected to return as the starting quarterback against Cincinnati this Sunday. Maddox is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Yeah. We take our football serious around here.
October 21, 200520 yr Author comment_3723036 What pissed people off, and it's not mentioned in this story, is that after the game Maddox got offended that the fans booed him since he's been around so long. He also blamed everyone else for his fumble in OT. First it was center Jeff Hartings's fault. Then it was because Willie Parker wasn't where he was supposed to be. Steeler fans don't like people who throw teammates under the bus. When the Steelers jobbed to the Pats in the playoffs, Ben was a man about it and said it was on him and he sucked.
October 21, 200520 yr comment_3723598 I could understand if the guy had been around for say a decade but he's been there for what? 4-5 years at the most?
October 21, 200520 yr comment_3723715 I can understand people for being upset with a guy who puts blame on everyone else, but taking it out on the kids? Wow, that's just the most sane thing ever! Punish his kids as that'll surely make sure Maddox gives it his all the next time. Oh hey~! I know! Since they're of his blood and flesh, then they too share in his blame for Sunday's loss! Makes it all the more reason to take it out on them!
October 21, 200520 yr comment_3725097 Uh, Al, baseball fans have had their share of bad moments, from the riots in Comiskey Park to Roberto Alomar receiving death threats and everything else in his latter days in Toronto. Happens with fans of just about every sport. It's one thing for fans to criticize Maddox's play, but to litter his yard and abuse his kids? Come the fuck on! The freaky part is the yard incident once happened in Canada too. At last year's CFL Western Division final, Saskatchewan's Paul McCallum missed what would've been a game-winning field goal (IIRC) against British Columbia, and the Saskatchewan fans later responded by dumping manure or whatever on McCallum's front yard. Fucking idiots.
October 21, 200520 yr comment_3729862 Uh, Al, baseball fans have had their share of bad moments, from the riots in Comiskey Park to Roberto Alomar receiving death threats and everything else in his latter days in Toronto. Happens with fans of just about every sport. Yeah, but that doesn't jive with my preconceived stereotypes. If I had my way, I would probably find the urge to club fans of many different sports.
October 21, 200520 yr comment_3729912 As bad as it may be at least they aren't as bad as soccer fans.
October 22, 200520 yr comment_3732030 As bad as it may be at least they aren't as bad as soccer fans. Amen to that, Mad Dog. Amen.
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