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Joey Porter resting comfortably after shooting

From Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH - Steelers linebacker Joey Porter is resting comfortably in a Denver hospital after he was shot outside of an establishment there.

Porter, who went to Colorado State, was in Denver to attend the Colorado-Colorado State game. He was standing outside of an establishment when a drive-by shooting occurred and he was hit by a stray bullet.

"Joey was an innocent bystander hit by a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting," said head coach Bill Cowher. "A total of six people were injured in this drive-by shooting; one was shot fatally. This being a homicide, I can not disclose any more information at this time.
Linebacker Joey Porter is resting comfortably after being shot.

"The bullet entered his left buttocks and is lodged in his right thigh. All the tests are being done and at this time it looks as though the bullet did not hit any vital organs. He is resting comfortably in the hospital and we are in the process, barring any setbacks, of trying to fly him back here tomorrow. At that point we will do further tests and further information will be available as we get it."

Cowher spoke with Porter earlier in the day on Sunday.

"He is doing as well as can be expected," said Cowher. "He feels like he let the football team down. He was very emotional at the time. I talked to him and his wife. He begged me not to put him on IR."

Porter is one of the leaders on the field, and it's not surprising that even though he was an innocent by-stander that he felt like he let his teammates down.

"It's just the nature of the feeling," said Cowher. "I think any time anybody goes through something like that; that's just the type of person he is. He is a very unselfish individual. He has put a lot of effort into this season and into where we are. He was very disappointed at the time and probably very emotional at the time. I think that's very understandable."

The players were given the weekend off after the final preseason game in Carolina on Friday night, before having to return Monday to begin preparing for the Ravens game. Porter headed to Denver for the game, and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"There are shootings that take place around our city and a lot of innocent people are getting hit," said Cowher. "It's very unfortunate. It's the unfortunate part of our society that's taking place. When high profile people are in that situation, it comes to light. Unfortunately these things are happening daily and a lot of innocent people are having to suffer through it."

Cowher said that the incident will not be a distraction as the team prepares for the Ravens.

"We're a family," said Cowher. "Any time something like this hits your family; I know Joey won't want this to be a distraction and I don't think it will be. If anything this will draw us closer together. I think that's how you should respond as a family. Him being an integral part of that, that's the type of effect it will have on our team.

"Joey's going to be back. He'll be fine. He's a special guy. He'll be back."

Despite the situation Cowher did try to shed some positive light on it.

"As I told Joey, I am glad we are having this conversation because there is one member who is not talking to anybody today," said Cowher. "You have to keep things in perspective.

"He is a lucky young man. That is the perspective we have to have at this time."

Clark Haggans would start if Porter is unable to play on Sunday.

"He had a very good camp," said Cowher. "That's why he's here. He's an established guy. He's a very good linebacker."

Posted by Muddy at August 31, 2003 04:15 PM | TrackBack