William Gay, sporting purple cleats, carries home a pick-6 Sunday against the Colts. — GETTY IMAGES
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
A weekly feature aimed at rounding up a whole lot of odds and ends from a whole lot of time around our local teams …
• Willie Gay is wearing purple cleats — yes, even against the Ravens — and he doesn’t care if the NFL fines him for it. He almost sounds as if he’d welcome it.
“They can fine me, and I’ll pay it. Happily,” the Steelers’ corner was telling me this week on the South Side. “It’s for a good cause and a cause that people should be know about. It can’t be a secret anymore. Been a secret too long.”
The cause is domestic violence awareness, a hotter button than ever in the NFL, and no one is better equipped than Gay, for tragic reasons, to discuss it. When he was 7, his mother, Carolyn Hall, was shot and killed by his stepfather after an extended period of abuse. The stepfather then killed himself, and Gay and his two brothers were left without parents.
Since joining the Steelers, he’s spent the past half-decade working closely with the local Women’s Center and Shelter — not just lending his name, but being there, lending a hand, a face, a voice — and the recent Ray Rice controversy has only raised that urgency, it seems. He said he hopes to convince the NFL to invest as much energy in promoting domestic violence awareness as it currently does for breast cancer.
“There’s nowhere for this problem to hide,” he said. “It has to be out there. And it won’t be out there if people like me don’t take a stand.”
The first-infraction fine for a uniform infraction — and no, Gay hasn’t been fined yet — is $5,512. Maybe a certain someone at league HQ is finally becoming aware himself of the serious nature of domestic violence.
Here is Gay’s TV ad for a new app called ‘RU Safe’ that’s aimed at helping women:
• How have the Steelers’ offensive linemen overcome early adversity — Marcus Gilbert and Kelvin Beachum had disastrous starts to the season, Mike Adams a disastrous start to his career — as quickly as they have?
“Mike Munchak,” Beachum came right back. “Talk about learning from someone who knows his stuff. When you’re around that guy, all you want is to be a sponge.”
Munchak, glaringly overqualified for the job after three years as the Titans’ head coach, has been as efficient at avoiding the spotlight here as he has with his job. But it shouldn’t go unappreciated, especially after the 2013 debacle in which Jack Bicknell was essentially usurped at midseason by the players themselves. Maurkice Pouncey, per most player accounts, ended up doing most of the teaching. Bicknell, of course, was fired at season’s end.
• Maybe Cortez Allen could begin addressing whatever’s eating away at him on the field by facing his apparent fears off the field. Not being anywhere near the multiple media sessions this week isn’t how the good corners in the league conduct themselves, even in bad times.
Don’t misunderstand, please. I wrote a full Allen column this week without his input. Doesn’t affect either my life or job in the slightest, although there’s a common misconception that reporters, for whatever reason, care when we can’t interview someone. We don’t. At least I don’t.
I’m writing this solely from the standpoint of how it might help Allen.
• Mike Johnston’s press conferences can sound mechanical, almost detached. That’s just his personality. But it shouldn’t be interpreted that he isn’t as interested in the human aspect as the stats and strategies.
Waiting in a hallway late Thursday night after the Penguins beat the Kings and, pertinent to this tale, Evgeni Malkin nearly knocked the stuffing out of super-pest Justin Williams, Johnston asked me, “So was that Geno’s first fight or attempt to fight?” Informed that it was not but that it nonetheless stood out in the fit-of-rage category, he placed a curled finger to his chin, looked inside the locker room toward where Malkin was still being interviewed and said simply, “Fascinating.”
• Good to see Ron Burkle briefly after the game. He was just outside the room having a chat with Kris Letang. I say this all the time, but he’s so much more involved in the running of the Penguins than most seem to grasp.
• There’s no cause to assume Marc-Andre Fleury is feeling any pressure or urgency whatsoever to perform at a certain level through the final year of his current contract. If anything, he’s as loose and relaxed as I’ve seen him since … well, last season.
Asked about that yawning net the Kings left him as a target for that long-sought goal — he shanked well short and to the right — Fleury laughed and said, “Oh, man, did you see that? What a chance! I can’t believe it!”
By that, I’m pretty sure he meant Darryl Sutter pulling his goaltender while down three goals.
• If you’re in or near Manhattan at noon on Nov. 12, head on up to Central Park to catch the Penguins practicing outdoors. And no, not these Penguins.
The Winnipeg Jets did this last winter, and it came off without a hitch, well received by the public.
Not so much for the Penguins in 2011, as some might recall their bus was involved in a minor accident that forced the players to take individual taxis to finish the ride. But once there, as the home video below illustrates in a wonderfully raw way, a good time was had:
• All eyes Tuesday will be on the Pirates’ action — or inaction — regarding Russell Martin on the opening day of Major League Baseball’s free agency. But don’t be surprised if they take aim at a significant move regarding pitching, specifically keeping Edinson Volquez from getting away. The $15.3 million it would take to qualify Francisco Liriano for one year would be much more wisely invested in two years of Volquez, who very much wants to stay close to Ray Searage.
• Absolute radio silence on Martin. Not a peep. Either side. People who had been talking to me about this have fallen off the face of the planet. Read into that what you will.
• The Pirates are producing a highlights video for the 2014 season, though I’m not certain if it will be for sale. With the full disclaimer that I was interviewed for commentary to be shown through the video — no pay, of course, from any team I cover — I like that the Pirates are taking this approach of not shying away from their successes. Making the playoffs in baseball is a success. Celebrate it.
• Big change coming to the Riverhounds. Big, big change. And very soon. If I tell you more, they’ll tie me to those railroad tracks outside Highmark Stadium, so I’ll shut up here.
• I want to close this week with a word about Olli Maatta: I purposely haven’t written much about his condition. There’s a reason for that. We don’t know that it’s cancer. Infinitely more important, he doesn’t know that it’s cancer. The doctors have said there’s an 85 percent chance, so it’s likely. But it isn’t certain.
When Maatta was asked Thursday morning by a reporter to speak about the timing of ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ night and his status, Maatta answered in the most matter-of-factly way imaginable: “Cancer is tough for those who have it.”
Exactly. At this very moment, in his mind, he doesn’t.
Maybe it would be nice if we, as a community, respected that and just let the kid play hockey. It’s clearly all he wants to do right now.
Wow. Had no idea about William Gay's personal history. Reminds me, in a good way, of this quote from Hunter S Thompson: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Good for him. Much respect.
DK - your last point on Maatta is one of the reasons I signed on here. Do we really have to sensationalize the potential for a diagnosis? Can't we just respect that he is or may be going through a tough time and let him do the one thing that likely takes his mind off it?
It's funny, but a common accusation when someone reads a piece they don't like is that it was written 'to get hits.' If I'd written a Maatta column Monday, it would have been hit hard. I'm glad I didn't.
I feel like these Friday Insiders will be very valuable as a fan getting to know Johnston. What a fascinating person and coach, imo. He's kind of like the Chip Kelly of the NHL in that he doesnt seem afraid to think outside the box.
Keep up the great work, DK! Not a high value add comment, I know...but that's all I've got to say! You make being a Pittsburgh sports fan much more fun and interesting.
Is it wrong that I wish there was a Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, AND Friday Insider? I abso-frickin-lutely love this feature! A++++++++++ Will read again!!
Thanks for these tidbits.If Cortez Allen wants to shy away from spotlight while, hopefully, righting his ship, so be it. I'd probably do same. I can't see how talking to fans through the media would help with what he needs to fix. As long as he's not being a jerk about it. Is he?
I'm still trying to figure out if DK left something there in between the lines for us to infer. Really depends on if Allen is simply making himself scarce, or is having a 'tude' off the record because DK has been tough on him. If the former, as I said above, I have no problem.
I would hope that if they do fine Gay, which would be totally wrong considering the circumsances, the NFL would at least earmark the $ he says he'll gladly pay to the DV charity he supports. As someone said above, what a great guy who gives us all reason to cheer harder for him.
EV had a very solid yr for the Bucs, & was key in their making the playoffs a 2nd consecutive yr. But, I'm not convinced he is a permanently better pitcher than he was pre-Bucs. I would be surprised if his stats are as good next yr as they were this yr. I know most won't agree.
Jim, you could be right, but here's why I think signing EV makes total sense:
1) He has the 'stuff' - velocity, pitch finish - to be good
2) Bucs have at least 2 holes to fill in rotation
3) Something around $8M per year is going rate for mid rotation in MLB
Another great week of sports journalism here at' DK on Pittsburgh sports'. Living in S.C., the internet is the only way to get a feel for our teams and the players. This site is the best one out there by far.
DK, Cortez isn't a good corner in this league so I'd say expectations were met. Of course he's going to hide. Not sure why there is some idea that he's this great corner because the team gave him rediculous money or because he's ever been worthy to begin with.
In a perfect world the Pirates would make a play for Martin in the 3 year 20 mil/year range. They wont and he wouldnt anyway. So maybe we should make a play at Cuddyer or Morales and lock up that fragile position.
And There is 1 lefty veteran starter out there that could be had for light money. Coming off knee surgery, Wandy Rodriguez could be the innings eater the Pirates will be looking for.
*
I'll go duck under the table while yins look to beat me up. Git to it!
Pirates won't sign Martin, Liriano, or Volquez.
.
Look for Bucs to offer $3 mill to Josh Johnson, and sign Scott Baker.
.
Look for Bucs to sign Nick Hundley if still available after Martin signs elsewhere.
.
Look for Bucs to release Gaby and sign Corey Hart for 1B platoon.
Did you notice this week that once more James Neal got to be the reason for all problems ailing the Pens last year? Is it true that ownership decided he had to go not Jim Rutherford? This would have been according to one of your local writers.
DK - can you at least let us in on whether the Riverhounds news is good news?? The bankruptcy business still has me nervous, although I know that Shallenberger has all intent on not just keeping the team afloat, but growing it....
I look for Russel Martin to sign pretty quickly with The Dodgers or Angels...Two teams that arent afraid to throw a lot of money at someone. I would very much like to be wrong but NH doesnt have a good track record of resigning free agents. Martin was my favorite player.
And he returns to his laboratory, scribbling long, complicated chemical formulas on the blackboard, sipping tea with milk, trying to determine the recipe for a potion that will invoke Beast Mode...
does mlb have 'tampering' rules? Because this one smells like that. Tampa should demand some compensation. I know Joe had the out in his contract but seems to me knowing the Cubs were gonna hire him made it easy for him to exercise the option.
I am sort of hoping that the cone of silence around Martin might mean they are working on a long term deal that would lock him into Pittsburgh for at least 3 years - with some sort of options for years four and five. But that may be reading too much into this.
And thanks again DK for the great column and service. We are now full time Floridians - made the 1040 mile trek this week and put the Pittsburgh house on the market. I will need you even more since I am away from my "home".
Speaking of local soccer, took my daughter to her training session at Beadling last week (Beadling is probably the Hounds biggest rival for local talent). One of her new trainers is... Justin Evans. Interesting.
Two years, $16 million sounds about right for Volquez, although you never know if a team with deeper pockets will lure him away. I thought the Dodgers might be top suitors for Russell Martin, but with the Cubs about to hire Joe Maddon, Martin to Chicago wouldn't shock me at all.
Also kudos to William Gay for continuing to get the message out about domestic violence. Uniform violations should be the last thing the NFL is worried about, but if they do fine him, hopefully all the money (and even more awareness) go to a good cause.
"Mike Johnston’s press conferences can sound mechanical, almost detached."
.
Got a little bit of that when first began. Not as much as he's grown more comfortable. What comes through is honesty, insight, professionalism.
October 31, 2014
Friday Insider: Gay would welcome fine
by Dejan Kovacevic • Friday Insider • Penguins, Pirates, Riverhounds, Steelers
William Gay, sporting purple cleats, carries home a pick-6 Sunday against the Colts. — GETTY IMAGES
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
• Willie Gay is wearing purple cleats — yes, even against the Ravens — and he doesn’t care if the NFL fines him for it. He almost sounds as if he’d welcome it.
“They can fine me, and I’ll pay it. Happily,” the Steelers’ corner was telling me this week on the South Side. “It’s for a good cause and a cause that people should be know about. It can’t be a secret anymore. Been a secret too long.”
The cause is domestic violence awareness, a hotter button than ever in the NFL, and no one is better equipped than Gay, for tragic reasons, to discuss it. When he was 7, his mother, Carolyn Hall, was shot and killed by his stepfather after an extended period of abuse. The stepfather then killed himself, and Gay and his two brothers were left without parents.
Since joining the Steelers, he’s spent the past half-decade working closely with the local Women’s Center and Shelter — not just lending his name, but being there, lending a hand, a face, a voice — and the recent Ray Rice controversy has only raised that urgency, it seems. He said he hopes to convince the NFL to invest as much energy in promoting domestic violence awareness as it currently does for breast cancer.
“There’s nowhere for this problem to hide,” he said. “It has to be out there. And it won’t be out there if people like me don’t take a stand.”
The first-infraction fine for a uniform infraction — and no, Gay hasn’t been fined yet — is $5,512. Maybe a certain someone at league HQ is finally becoming aware himself of the serious nature of domestic violence.
Here is Gay’s TV ad for a new app called ‘RU Safe’ that’s aimed at helping women:
• How have the Steelers’ offensive linemen overcome early adversity — Marcus Gilbert and Kelvin Beachum had disastrous starts to the season, Mike Adams a disastrous start to his career — as quickly as they have?
“Mike Munchak,” Beachum came right back. “Talk about learning from someone who knows his stuff. When you’re around that guy, all you want is to be a sponge.”
Munchak, glaringly overqualified for the job after three years as the Titans’ head coach, has been as efficient at avoiding the spotlight here as he has with his job. But it shouldn’t go unappreciated, especially after the 2013 debacle in which Jack Bicknell was essentially usurped at midseason by the players themselves. Maurkice Pouncey, per most player accounts, ended up doing most of the teaching. Bicknell, of course, was fired at season’s end.
• Maybe Cortez Allen could begin addressing whatever’s eating away at him on the field by facing his apparent fears off the field. Not being anywhere near the multiple media sessions this week isn’t how the good corners in the league conduct themselves, even in bad times.
Don’t misunderstand, please. I wrote a full Allen column this week without his input. Doesn’t affect either my life or job in the slightest, although there’s a common misconception that reporters, for whatever reason, care when we can’t interview someone. We don’t. At least I don’t.
I’m writing this solely from the standpoint of how it might help Allen.
• Mike Johnston’s press conferences can sound mechanical, almost detached. That’s just his personality. But it shouldn’t be interpreted that he isn’t as interested in the human aspect as the stats and strategies.
Waiting in a hallway late Thursday night after the Penguins beat the Kings and, pertinent to this tale, Evgeni Malkin nearly knocked the stuffing out of super-pest Justin Williams, Johnston asked me, “So was that Geno’s first fight or attempt to fight?” Informed that it was not but that it nonetheless stood out in the fit-of-rage category, he placed a curled finger to his chin, looked inside the locker room toward where Malkin was still being interviewed and said simply, “Fascinating.”
• Good to see Ron Burkle briefly after the game. He was just outside the room having a chat with Kris Letang. I say this all the time, but he’s so much more involved in the running of the Penguins than most seem to grasp.
• There’s no cause to assume Marc-Andre Fleury is feeling any pressure or urgency whatsoever to perform at a certain level through the final year of his current contract. If anything, he’s as loose and relaxed as I’ve seen him since … well, last season.
Asked about that yawning net the Kings left him as a target for that long-sought goal — he shanked well short and to the right — Fleury laughed and said, “Oh, man, did you see that? What a chance! I can’t believe it!”
By that, I’m pretty sure he meant Darryl Sutter pulling his goaltender while down three goals.
• If you’re in or near Manhattan at noon on Nov. 12, head on up to Central Park to catch the Penguins practicing outdoors. And no, not these Penguins.
The Winnipeg Jets did this last winter, and it came off without a hitch, well received by the public.
Not so much for the Penguins in 2011, as some might recall their bus was involved in a minor accident that forced the players to take individual taxis to finish the ride. But once there, as the home video below illustrates in a wonderfully raw way, a good time was had:
• All eyes Tuesday will be on the Pirates’ action — or inaction — regarding Russell Martin on the opening day of Major League Baseball’s free agency. But don’t be surprised if they take aim at a significant move regarding pitching, specifically keeping Edinson Volquez from getting away. The $15.3 million it would take to qualify Francisco Liriano for one year would be much more wisely invested in two years of Volquez, who very much wants to stay close to Ray Searage.
• Absolute radio silence on Martin. Not a peep. Either side. People who had been talking to me about this have fallen off the face of the planet. Read into that what you will.
• The Pirates are producing a highlights video for the 2014 season, though I’m not certain if it will be for sale. With the full disclaimer that I was interviewed for commentary to be shown through the video — no pay, of course, from any team I cover — I like that the Pirates are taking this approach of not shying away from their successes. Making the playoffs in baseball is a success. Celebrate it.
• Big change coming to the Riverhounds. Big, big change. And very soon. If I tell you more, they’ll tie me to those railroad tracks outside Highmark Stadium, so I’ll shut up here.
• I want to close this week with a word about Olli Maatta: I purposely haven’t written much about his condition. There’s a reason for that. We don’t know that it’s cancer. Infinitely more important, he doesn’t know that it’s cancer. The doctors have said there’s an 85 percent chance, so it’s likely. But it isn’t certain.
When Maatta was asked Thursday morning by a reporter to speak about the timing of ‘Hockey Fights Cancer’ night and his status, Maatta answered in the most matter-of-factly way imaginable: “Cancer is tough for those who have it.”
Exactly. At this very moment, in his mind, he doesn’t.
Maybe it would be nice if we, as a community, respected that and just let the kid play hockey. It’s clearly all he wants to do right now.