Long-time Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette recently dubbed the Steelers off-season as “The off-season from hell”, after the latest incident being a civil lawsuit against star wide receiver Santonio Holmes for assault and battery of a woman in a Orlando nightclub.
Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement today that “We are disappointed to learn about the recent incident involving Santonio Holmes in Florida. While we are continuing to gather the facts I cannot comment further until we have more information and have spoken to Santonio and his representatives.”
For the Steelers, at least quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has kept quiet.
Today it became known that no criminal charges will be filed against Holmes as the Orlando police department released a report stating that Anshonae Mills declined to press charges.
The police report somewhat condradicts the suit filed by Mills. According to the newly released police report, Holmes and Mills argued over a seat in the VIP section of the Rain nightclub and according to the report, Holmes said he asked Mills politely to give him his seat back and that she grabbed his wrist and called him a racial slur when he turned his back to her.
Mills has a different version, indicating in her suit that Holmes threw a glass at her face which resulted in a laceration above her right eye and temporary blindness.
In regards to a potential criminal case, Ms. Mills said in a signed statement, “I refuse to prosecute the perpetrator for the incident.”
Holmes told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that the matter will be resolved quickly and that he didn’t do anything.
Meanwhile, the Steelers did not hear about the incident until it was reported in the media, which according to team sources is not going over well with the Steelers. Holmes is believed to have spoken to head coach Mike Tomlin on Monday but did not inform the team of the lawsuit beforehand.
Holmes who was expected to report to voluntary workouts on Monday, has decided to fly back to Orlando and workout there with his trainer.
While the Steelers are not happy about the incident, they have been embarrassed with Holmes actions on twitter, I’m told by a team source.
Holmes actions on twitter is being viewed as immature and classless.
Holmes is coming off as a arrogant person who has no respect for others and is apparently picking fights with individuals who are being critical of him and even suggested to one individual that he should commit suicide.
Holmes reply to a fan being critical of him was “y u tryna make me look like the bad guy. U shud try finding the worst thing that you could drink n kill urself, ” Holmes said in a reply on twitter.
Holmes is entering the final year of a five year deal he signed after being the Steelers first round pick in 2006. Holmes and linebacker LaMarr Woodley had previously been tabbed as priorities by Steelers management following the draft.