Pure Steel
Spoiled Superstar
By Jerry DiPaola

James Harrison is a big boy.

He can make his own decisions, do what he wants, go where he wants to go, stay away from anyplace that bothers him.

He has the money, he has the fame, he is an adult.

But he was wrong for not joining his Steelers teammates at the White House last month when they were honored guests of President Barack Obama and the first NFL team welcomed into his new home since he took office in January.

Harrison not only showed disrespect to the President of the United States, but he probably could have been more sensitive to Dan Rooney, too. The Steelers chairman is an enthusiastic Obama supporter, the new president's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Ireland and-most important to Harrison-one of the key team officials who authorized Harrison's six-year, $51.175 million contract, the second-richest in franchise history.

Okay, Dan Rooney isn't easily offended, and he has more important matters on his desk. But he has earned the right to receive better treatment from one of his star players.

Rooney probably didn't make a big deal of the situation to Harrison, directly, but he deserved an explanation, even if it came through coach Mike Tomlin.

Maybe that happened and Rooney and the rest of the Steelers front office were satisfied with Harrison's reasons - even if they were as lame as what his agent Bill Parise said: "He simply doesn't want to go."

Sorry, that's not good enough for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and one of the most high-profile players on the twice-in-four-seasons Super Bowl champions.

Harrison has a right to keep his feelings to himself, just like he has a right to shun the president. He doesn't owe anyone outside the Steelers locker room or Rooney's office an explanation.

But to air his fear of flying, through his agent, and then complain-even if he was only kidding-that the White House sits in a "bad neighborhood" avoids the issue. It's a 40-minute flight, and a cushy limo ride could have been easily arranged. Also, the team wasn't in D.C. long enough to experience its grime and crime.

Harrison also remarked that the Arizona Cardinals would have received the same invitation if they had won the Super Bowl. Well, yes, that's the point. Obama doesn't have time to meet with everyone randomly; even the Pirates were snubbed when they unofficially toured the White House the day before the Steelers' arrival. That's grasping for a flimsy straw.

Harrison also missed an opportunity to show his patriotism. The Steelers were joined at the White House by 50 wounded veterans from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center. During their visit, the players helped the USO put together 3,000 care packages for overseas troops.

Maybe it was a cheap photo-op (if that was even Harrison's beef in the first place), but celebrities who depend on the ticket-buying public for their lavish lifestyle need to bow down once in a while.

It would have been easier to accept if Harrison did not agree with Obama's politics, didn't want to shake his hand, pretend he likes him or be in his presence. That's America. Obama would have understood and respected Harrison for his stance.

But Harrison said his absence had nothing to do with politics.

Maybe he truly didn't want to go, and he had no other reason than he just wanted to be ornery. Don't knock it. That's the disposition that makes him a great player.

Most Americans, however, would consider a trip to the White House and meeting the President a treasured honor and one of the proudest moments of their lives.

Heck, Jeff Reed even got a haircut for the occasion.

"This never gets old for me," said Steelers linebacker and team co-captain James Farrior. "I love coming to the White House."

Each of us does things we don't want to do. You went to work today, right? Maybe you would have preferred to stay home with the family. Me, too.

But we went because it was the adult thing to do.

Harrison should have done the same.