Athletes are imperfect.

The Pittsburgh Steelers proved it throughout a puzzling 26-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.

A few days later, rookie defensive lineman Alameda Ta’amu reminded us there are miscues much more costly than a poor throw, missed tackle or blown coverage.

According to reports, the fourth-round pick enjoyed the weekend off by driving drunk through the South Side of Pittsburgh shortly after the bars closed early Sunday morning, swerving around traffic and running red lights, before colliding with a parked car and injuring the woman inside.

He proceeded to hit a few more parked vehicles before his SUV thankfully quit on him. The 6-foot-3, 348-pound Ta’amu wasn’t done, though, sprinting away from police before he was finally subdued.

Ta’amu was arrested with a blood-alcohol level over double the legal limit to drive and faces 15 charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.

In this case, imperfect is an understatement.

However, the 22-year-old is far from alone in that regard. Ta’amu was the 16th NFL player to be arrested for DUI in 2012.

That’s 16 times too many.

Professional athletes make a living most of us can only dream of. The Steelers suspended Ta’amu for two games — although he had yet to appear in one, anyway — which will cost the rookie over $45,000 in salary.

A taxi ride would have been a much cheaper and far less embarrassing route for all 16 offenders, which includes household names like Michael Turner, Marshawn Lynch, Kenny Britt and Justin Blackmon. In 2009, Donte Stallworth killed a man while drunk behind the wheel.

The problem reaches far beyond wealthy athletes, though.

It’s a cultural issue; a tight-knit and seemingly unbreakable bond between beer and sports.

Alcohol affects a person’s coordination and judgment. Too often, it leads to tragedy, whether it be one night of recklessness or evolving into a debilitating addiction.

In Houston, a 25-year-old fan died after falling off an escalator at Reliant Stadium during the Texans’ final preseason game this season. The very next day, a 20-year-old died after tumbling over a 33-inch railing at the Georgia Dome during a college game. Last year, a 27-year-old fell to his death while trying to slide down a railing at a baseball game at Coors Field.

All were related to alcohol, the latter taking place at a stadium sponsored by an alcohol company.

It’s one thing to condone a substance proven to be detrimental to so many lives, but why does our society promote it?

Money, mostly. Anheuser-Busch reportedly spent over $1 billion on a six-year deal to become the official beer sponsor of the NFL. Coors Light is the official sponsor of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There are numerous advertisements on TV, radio, inside a stadium or on the Internet. Most come with a vaguely placed reminder to “drink responsibly,” and that’s not easy. Alcohol influences people of all ages, economic classes and intelligence levels to make poor decisions. Irresponsibility is a common side effect of alcohol.

I’m not suggesting prohibition. I enjoy a few beers as much as the next guy.

But I do believe alcohol should be treated like tobacco, which you will see no advertisements for.

Successful companies know how to target their consumers and alcohol franchises know exactly how to manipulate the subconscious of potential buyers.

A Bud Light marketing campaign proclaims it’s “The Sure Sign of a Good Time.”

Sounds fun, but try telling that to Ta’amu, the woman he injured or the police officers who courageously chased him down and lived to tell about it.

Try convincing the countless grieving families of those who have not been as fortunate.