Steelers to Visit the White House and Walter Reed

Early this afternoon the Pittsburgh Steelers will get the opportunity to visit the White House, one of the perks of defeating the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl this past February. Former Steelers Antwaan Randle El, Kimo von Oelhoffen and Chris Hope, all of whom signed elsewhere after the season, are expected to be on hand, along with scouts, coaches, and front-office personnel.

It seems that tight end Jerame Tuman and defensive end Aaron Smith are particularly excited about the visit. "We are going to do our best to get in close somewhere around [President Bush]. We are very big supporters.... We want to get close or at least try to get our picture taken with him," said Tuman.

I don't know what Tuman and Smith are worried about. There should be plenty of space around Bush, considering how everyone is bending over backwards to distance themselves from him. Even former Super Bowl MVP Lynn Swann, hopelessly flailing away in his bid for the governorship of Pennsylvania, could only be hurt by being linked to Bush.

In the end, I predict that nose tackle Casey Hampton will be the only player standing next to Bush on the White House lawn, and not just because Hampton's big belly will be taking up all the available space. Hampton played his college ball at the University of Texas (supposedly Bush's favorite team), and we all know how Bush accords preferential treatment for wealthy 'friends' from Texas.

Prior to visiting the White House several unnamed players will quietly venture over to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to spend time with soldiers wounded in the Iraq War. Mark my words: If these players speak with the media after leaving Walter Reed, they will be in a state of 'shock and awe': Shocked at the extent of the injuries they have seen, and in awe of the rehabilitation these soldiers must endure.