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Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger on the sidelines throughout a recreation in 2019.
On Monday Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger revealed a brand new look, marking a turning level in his restoration from elbow surgical procedure.
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf criticized Roethlisberger—and by extension, his barber—for the shave and haircut in query, arguing that Roethlisberger was placing himself in hurt’s manner and rising his danger of getting COVID-19.
Brooke Pryor of ESPN was first to focus on Wolf’s critique. “Whenever you go to one thing like a barbershop and also you’re not protected, I don’t care who you might be, the possibilities of that virus really wreaking havoc in your life will increase,” Wolf stated.
Ben Roethlisberger’s Barber Responds
Wolf’s critique prompted Roethlisberger’s barber—Carlos Norman of Norman’s Cuttin’ Edge Barber Store in Sewickley—to reply publicly.
Assertion on behalf of Carlos Norman, proprietor of Norman’s Cuttin’ Edge Barber Store, on Ben Roethlisberger’s haircut and beard trim:
Norman says the store stays closed and the haircut was given as a “private favor” the place no cash was obtained or exchanged. pic.twitter.com/IREjJJsoQk
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) Might 19, 2020
Notably, the response got here through a press release delivered by Norman’s lawyer, Marc Kohnen, who took care to level out that “Norman’s Cuttin’ Edge Barber Store has been closed for enterprise because the governor’s shut-down order, and presently stays closed, in full compliance with the legislation and state rules.”
The assertion goes on to say that “Mr. Norman and Mr. Roethlisberger are shut private pals, and Mr. Norman’s use of his free time throughout closure to offer a haircut to his buddy was a private favor the place no cash was obtained or exchanged,” all of which appears an try and sidestep any kind of punishment for what might be seen as a violation of the governor’s shut-down order.
Many counties in Pennsylvania, together with Allegheny, are at the moment within the “yellow” section of reopening. And ‘private care’ institutions like barbershops and hair salons are particularly prohibited from reopening till they get the “inexperienced” mild from the state.
Kohnen’s assertion goes on to attempt to spin the haircut/shave as an act of selflessness on the a part of Norman, saying, “In most houses throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the remainder of America, we’re counting on the selfless acts of family and friends members to assist get us by way of the continued pandemic. We must always all look inside ourselves to rejoice and be glad about the existence of household, neighborhood, and private pals to help in every of our lives right now slightly than promote tales that divide us.”
Haircut controversy apart, most Steelers followers stay enthusiastic about what Huge Ben’s haircut portends for his soccer future. This previous December, Roethlisberger made it identified that he wouldn’t shave till he was in a position to throw a soccer once more, which he did—to teammates JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Connor and Ryan Switzer—earlier than getting his haircut.
Let’s get it large fella
— James Washington (@JamesWashington) Might 18, 2020
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Might 19, 1933: The ‘Pittsburgh Skilled Soccer Membership’ is Born
The shave/haircut controversy overshadowed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ try to focus on an essential date in Steelers historical past, as Might 19 marked the anniversary of the day that Artwork Rooney Sr.’s utility for a Nationwide Soccer League franchise was granted.
As famous at Steelers.com, the price of beginning the “Pittsburgh Skilled Soccer Membership” was $2,500, with the crew changing into an official member of the league on July 8, 1933.
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