PITTSBURGH -- If Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is touching a raw nerve with Mike Tomlin by appearing at a wrestling show less than 24 hours after Sunday's home game against the San Diego Chargers, the coach isn't saying.
Tomlin offered only a "no comment" when asked about Roethlisberger serving as the guest host at the televised WWE Raw show Monday in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
NFL players commonly make such in-season appearances only during a bye week, but the Steelers play the following Sunday in Detroit.
Roethlisberger is taking his offensive linemen with him, and left tackle Max Starks said Wednesday the players didn't tell the coaches in advance. The Steelers will hold a team meeting Monday, but Tuesday is the players' weekly day off.
"Ben is the captain. He said, `Let's roll,' so that's all right," right tackle Willie Colon said. "I don't plan on being physical. I ain't gonna choke nobody. I do my wrestling on Sunday. I'll be a spectator on Monday."
Roethlisberger declined to talk with reporters Wednesday, the day he usually speaks.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
