STEALING AGAIN/PLAYING CHICKEN,

It continues to scare me that friend Harry http://www.harry2335.blogspot.com and I share some of the same pet-peeves.

Harry's latest blog addressed the subject of "why" questions about football.

I enjoyed the blog but found one comment/question in particular which I "again" chose to steal and embellish:" Why do they (football players) jump around and make funny gestures after a good play or touchdown?"

My mind immediately went to Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders, although Harry's observation could apply (and may have been intended) to describe his defensive teammates as well when they finally make a tackle.

One disclaimer: When you watch your favorite football team lose games they surely would have won in seasons past, resulting in their current lousy win/loss record, it would take a mighty fine person not to give in to the temptation to make some player or coach a scapegoat.

I am not that mighty fine person.

My wife Phyl and I often watch the Steelers games - when possible at home - but, when not shown by Brighthouse - we will often gravitate to various local sports bars - if we think we can stomach the drunk fans from the opposite teams.

My wife - an ex-jock in high school who retained her youthful good looks - is also a good football watching partner. She understands the game and watches it with critical eyes - sometimes catching things I missed..

Last week she turned to me during a game and asked sardonically, "Why does Sanders get so excited and dance around if he makes what appears to be a fairly easy catch when he's also the guy who dropped two critical passes that cost them the ballgame?"

I couldn't hide my Irish attempt at humor and replied, "Perhaps it's just because he's so surprised to finally catch one."

She looked at me - rolled her eyes - and went back to viewing the game - or whatever you call it when it involves watching the Steelers this year.

Years ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a behemouth of a man, Willie Stargell, a bodacious home run hitter who smacked 48 one year.

Willie also owned a chicken restaurant in the Pittsburgh Hill District. The restaurant had a promotional tie to his home run production. For every homer Willie hit those customers in his restaurant at the time received free chicken.

I wish in this day when - on televised sports events - the networks can instantly display the most minute statistics about the athletes - including their bathroom habits -  they would find the time to add  a couple more.

When a receiver, like Sanders, does make a catch - could they show how much - according to his per game salary - he was paid to do just that  And, then announce that the player has graciously volunteered to donate that same amount to a local charity?

OK, that's not "chicken feed" - but, let's face it - that post-catch childish stuff  is pure "chicken s--t."