A sad note has been struck on an otherwise joyous sports week, as the Steelers have announced the impending parting of ways with standout inside linebacker, Larry Foote. Foote, a favorite of mine, and of many of my readers, has expedited the severance process by asking for an unconditional release. Bottom line here is that Foote wants to play every down, or at least more than he played in 2008, when he split duty with the emerging Lawrence Timmons. The Steelers' top brass offered no protestations to Foote's request, as the financial writing was on the wall that he needed either a pay cut or a bus ticket. Such is life in the world of player personnel management in Steeltown.
Steeler Nation not only loses a great runner stopper, but an all out gamer. Not many played with more dedication and intensity than #50. As MP stated, "the definition of solid". Here are some quick hitters to summarize just what type of asset will be exiting the North Shore complex:
- 80 starts in 80 games since 2004, serving as co-anchor to the NFL's #1 rush defense over that period.
- Hasn't missed a game since rookie year of 2002.
- 406 tackles and 14.5 sacks since becoming starter.
- Logged key interception of Jake Plummer in 2005 AFC Championship Game.
- Funded the funeral of a Detroit youth that he had never even met.
- 2 Superbowl rings.
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