Following his team’s victory over the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2016 NFL playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers coach Joey Porter was arrested outside a local Pittsburgh bar for being a tad bit too rowdy.
The Steelers may have to prepare for their upcoming Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend with one less coach on their staff . After his arrest, the team announced that he was being placed on leave pending an investigation.
“We are aware of an incident tonight involving Joey Porter. We are still gathering information as it pertains to the situation, and we will have no further comment until we get more details.”
– Burt Lauten, Steelers spokesman
Porter’s official charges were assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and trespassing. Officers were called to the scene after Porter allegedly threatened the doorman at the bar.
“Last time you were here, you threatened to kill me. You need to leave. You are not getting in.”
– Jon Neskow, doorman refusing to let Porter into the bar
After he heard this, the Pittsburgh coach did not respond in what one would call, “a polite manner.” Instead Porter grabbed the doorman by the arms and lifted him off the ground. Luckily, an off-duty police Officer and a few other men were able to grab the coach and prevent anything worse from happening.
However, after he was removed from the situation, Porter continued to hold onto the wrists of the off-duty Officer (despite his denial).
“Porter informed me that he was not touching me, as he was still holding my wrists.”
– Paul Abel, off-duty Pittsburgh police Officer at the scene
The Officer then called for backup and the Steelers’ coach was eventually given a shiny new pair of silver bracelets. He was then booked and released shortly after posting $25,000 bail.
It is unknown whether or not Porter will be on the Pittsburgh sidelines this weekend in Kansas City, but it’s worth remembering that this is the NFL, people have walked back onto the field after doing much worse.

This is also not Porter’s first run in with the law by any means. Back in 2010, as a linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, he was arrested in the offseason for DUI and assaulting an Officer. This followed his arrest for battery in the 2007 after he punched then Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones at a Las Vegas blackjack table.
Will being placed on leave by the Steelers be the wake-up call that Porter seems to be in desperate need of? Based on his past history, that answer would likely end up being a big fat no.
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