This stuff happens in New York or Chicago or Dallas.

It doesn't happen in Pittsburgh.

It's very un-black-and-gold-like. It's not becoming of what Steeler Nation stands for.

Usually, Pittsburgh avoids all that nasty off-the-field drama stuff that hits other teams.

Lately, though, the Steelers have become a lightning rod for controversy. In just the last year, these unseemly events have taken place:

• The Steelers had a starting quarterback suspended for six games (reduced to four) for a violation of the NFL personal conduct policy.

• The Steelers had a running back light up Twitter with controversial comments about the killing of Osama bin Laden.

• The Steelers had a wide receiver win "Dancing With the Stars," get held at gunpoint in Los Angeles after a misunderstanding about a reported stolen car, post on Facebook about how he is going to stop texting while driving because it is too dangerous and then go out the same night and get charged with DUI.

• The Steelers had a player rip teammates, other NFL players and commissioner Roger Goodell in a magazine interview, the main art of which featured him holding a gun.

Yes, it has been a pretty eventful 12 months for a franchise that usually avoids controversy like Limas Sweed avoids making a catch.

The question is, what is going to be done about this?

I find it hard to believe the Rooneys and coach Mike Tomlin are particularly giddy about all of this stuff.

Because of the lockout, they can't even call Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward or James Harrison and ask them what the heck is going on.

The Steelers have been a franchise that has tolerated very little drama.

Shortly after Santonio Holmes was found in violation of the league's substance abuse policy, the club jettisoned him to the New York Jets for a measly fifth-round draft choice.

That sent a message that off-the-field shenanigans would not be tolerated.

The Steelers also contemplated trading quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after he was suspended six games for being, well, a jerk and a letch — and that's giving him the benefit of the doubt about the sexual assault charges.

Kicker Jeff Reed was booted more because of his poor attitude (and penchant for getting tipsy and beating up unsuspecting bathroom fixtures) and less because of his poor kicking.

One of the reasons why I, and many people across the country, follow the Steelers closely and root for them to do well is because the players don't do stupid stuff.

Now that they are doing stupid stuff, it'll be interesting to see how ownership and the fans react.

How they deal with the loose-lipped Harrison will be an early indication of if the Steelers will hold firm to their beliefs, or give in to today's mentally unstable athlete.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.