BILL NEAL, LEFT, WITH DEACON JONES

:10 Last week the NFL lost one of its greatest ever players and most certainly one of the 10 greatest D-Lineman of all time. The creator of the head slap, Deacon Jones died of natural causes at the much too young age of 74. Anybody that knew “The Deacon” will tell you it wasn’t all natural causes. The man lived life large…all legal…but large! I know because I had the pleasure and privilege to have interviewed him about 25 years ago, when he was in town to do a “Lite Beer” promo. My first major assignment for the New Pittsburgh Courier, given to me by “The President” of the Know It All Club and my writing mentor Eddie Jeffries. (All I can tell ya without getting head slapped from above is, yes there were women when I got there…4 to be exact! Like I said, natural causes!)

MASTERS BRING HOME THE GOLD—The City of Champions spoke loud and proud once again as the Pittsburgh Old Timers captured the American Old Timers League Championship for the 2013 season. Pittsburgh defeated Westerville, Ohio 79-70 Saturday, April 20 in Cincinnati to bring the title back to “The Burgh” for the 4th time in the twenty-five year history of the league. Former NCAA standout and Detroit Piston tryout as well as Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League champion, All-Star and MVP, Thomas “Bum” Coates, was named MVP. Greg Harris was leading scorer and Ken Roebuck was the leading rebounder. Pictured team members, not in order: Tom “Bum” Coates, James Larkins, Mike Whitelock, Vincent Whitelock, Ken Roebuck, Greg Harris, Tyrone Curtis, Wayne “Spud” Jenkins, Lenny Franklin, Alvin Turner, Bill Williams, Mike Dean, Mitch Davenport, Prentice Parrish, League Commissioner; and Jerome “Preacher” Smith. Not pictured team members: Clarence “Hop” Hopson, Mitch James and Ron Moore.

AUBREY BRUCE

Hey everybody hot off the press, according to the Bleacher Report “Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed part of the 2012 NFL regular season with injuries to his ribs and shoulder. This offseason, Big Ben is taking no chances with his long-term health and ability to stay on the field for a full 16-game season. 

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and offensive coordinator Todd Haley during the NFL football practice on Thursday, May 30, 2013 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

by Will Graves 

AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's surgically repaired right knee is on its way to a full recovery.

So too, it seems, is Roethlisberger's relationship with offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Following a somewhat rocky year in which the two couldn't seem to warm to the idea of the other, the admittedly headstrong men behind Pittsburgh's offense appear focused on moving forward after the Steelers slumped to an 8-8 finish.

Haley approached Roethlisberger and several other players during the offseason asking them about changes they'd like to see made, and the result is an attack they hope is a little more streamlined than it was in 2012.