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Monday, June 16, 2003
Mark Bruener always has been one of the good guys. He's a throwback to an earlier time, a pure vanilla personality in an era when pistachio almond fudge royale is the flavor of the month. He has never cared about personal glory, and in that respect, he is unlike so many of his colleagues in professional sports. What's best for Mark Bruener always comes second to what's best for the team.
Eight years ago, he was the Steelers' No. 1 draft choice and came with the reputation of being a fine pass-catching tight end. Offensive coordinators came and went and promised to throw more to the tight end. None did, but Bruener never said a word and happily went about his job as starting tight end. In reality, he was little more than a sixth offensive lineman.
He loved it and became one of the best -- if not the best -- blocking tight ends in the NFL.
Bruener also became a fixture in the community. He has an in-season show on ESPN Radio, does a good deal of corporate speaking, is active in charity work and always is a stand-up guy in the locker room.
For all of this, for his eight seasons of solid production and exemplary behavior, the Steelers are not saying thanks. They are, instead, telling Bruener to take a $1.3 million pay cut -- $2,050,000 to $750,000 -- or face the prospect of being released.
more
Mark Bruener always has been one of the good guys. He's a throwback to an earlier time, a pure vanilla personality in an era when pistachio almond fudge royale is the flavor of the month. He has never cared about personal glory, and in that respect, he is unlike so many of his colleagues in professional sports. What's best for Mark Bruener always comes second to what's best for the team.
Eight years ago, he was the Steelers' No. 1 draft choice and came with the reputation of being a fine pass-catching tight end. Offensive coordinators came and went and promised to throw more to the tight end. None did, but Bruener never said a word and happily went about his job as starting tight end. In reality, he was little more than a sixth offensive lineman.
He loved it and became one of the best -- if not the best -- blocking tight ends in the NFL.
Bruener also became a fixture in the community. He has an in-season show on ESPN Radio, does a good deal of corporate speaking, is active in charity work and always is a stand-up guy in the locker room.
For all of this, for his eight seasons of solid production and exemplary behavior, the Steelers are not saying thanks. They are, instead, telling Bruener to take a $1.3 million pay cut -- $2,050,000 to $750,000 -- or face the prospect of being released.
more
