Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t the only Pittsburgh Steelers player to have off-field issues this offseason.
And he wasn’t the only Steeler to be ordered by the league to have a psychological and behavioral evaluation.
Steelers kicker Jeff Reed, who had an alcohol-related episode involving police, was also evaluated by licensed professionals.
Reed was charged with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness in October when he got into an altercation with police as they cited tight end Matt Speath for urinating in public.
“I’ve been to doctors, too, and psychologists and I take it seriously,” Reed told the Associated Press. “Because if someone thinks it’s that important to do something like that, then I treat it like that.”
Reed, who has previously damaged a paper towel dispenser and harassed convenience store employees, had his charges dismissed when he completed community service. He was fined $543.50.
“Everybody in their lives no matter who you are, or what job you have or if you’re a professional athlete or a Joe on the street, everybody’s had their share of stuff they’ve got away with,” Reed said. “And everybody’s had their share of getting in trouble for what may seem not as prominent as people think it is. … How you deal with it and how you respond like any adversity, whether it’s on the field or off, is what kind of person you are.”
