PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers released wide receiver Cedrick Wilson on Thursday, hours after he was charged with assaulting his estranged girlfriend at a suburban restaurant.

Talk About It: Jump On Our Steelers Message Board And Share Your Comments

Police said Wilson, 29, who was arrested late Wednesday night, spent most of the night in the custody of the Northern Regional Police Department in Pine Township after the alleged attack.

Police said Wilson's estranged girlfriend, Lindsay Paulat, reported she was sitting in the bar area at the Patron Mexican Grill in Wexford when Wilson came into the restaurant area and pushed her on the shoulder.

Paulat said that when she turned around, Wilson punched her in the side of her face.

The manager of the restaurant, who asked to not be identified, said he heard screaming and then saw Wilson run past him out the front door.

There was redness and swelling on Paulat's left cheek, and witnesses told officers what happened, police said.

Officers later found Wilson as he was leaving his Pine Township home in his car, police said.

"What caused Cedric to do that, we don't know," said Paulat's attorney, Mike DeRiso. "We're trying to figure it out."

Wilson was arraigned around 4 a.m. Thursday on charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct and freed on $10,000 bail.

According to Northern Regional police, Paulat, who is not expected to file a protection from abuse order against Wilson, called the station demanding the charges against him be dropped. Police, however, said they would go ahead with the charges,

"I wouldn't say she's scared," said DeRiso. "If she was scared for the safety of her child, then we would take action."

"I'm very apologetic. I shouldn't have done it. I hold myself to a higher standard than that," Wilson said. "I just want to apologize to Lindsey, her family, the NFL family and the Pittsburgh Steeler nation. I let them down."

In a two-paragraph statement, the Steelers gave no reason for why they terminated Wilson's contract. In three seasons with the Steelers, he caught 81 passes for 1,162 yards and two touchdowns.

Dan Rooney, owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, told Channel 4 Thursday morning, "It shouldn't happen. Football players shouldn't go around punching girls."

"I'm not pleased at all with Cedrick," Rooney said. "The Steelers don't condone that at all. The NFL does do some things. They have a seminar in June for rookies coming in. Maybe that needs to be extended. I also think some players need to get into anger management. We think our players are good citizens on the whole. The vast majority of our players conduct themselves properly."

"I'm going to seek treatment to go to anger management classes to better myself for my child and my other children," Wilson said. "It's tough to even talk about because I'm a man that's always tried to keep my nose clean. That was very inappropriate. I'm very sorry about it. (Football's) the farthest thing from my mind. I have children to take care of, and I shouldn't act that way. I've got to be better than that."

The relationship between Wilson and Paulat, the mother of his 1-year-old daughter, Anya, has recently been violent.

DeRiso said he doesn't know if Wilson and Paulat were still romantically involved since a domestic dispute in January, where there was a 12-hour standoff at Wilson's home involving Paulat.

Police withdrew aggravated assault charges last month, but Paulat faces trial on charges of discharging a firearm in an occupied structure for allegedly firing two shots after Wilson left the house. Police said the handgun belongs to Wilson.

Wilson is not the only Steeler to be facing assault charges. Running Back Najeh Davenport and linebacker James Harrison are also accused in crimes.

In a Cleveland, Ohio, court in October 2007, Davenport pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a domestic dispute with the mother of his child. He is going to trial in February.

Earlier this month, Harrison was arrested and charged with assault in connection with breaking down his girlfriend's door and slapping her.

Rooney's explanation as to why Wilson was cut and Harrison spared continues to take on criticism Friday.

While both men are charged for striking their girlfriends in domestic violence cases, Rooney said Harrison's case was different, because he wanted to take his son to get baptized.

Rooney said, "What he was trying to do was really well worth it … He was doing something that was good … She didn't want to do it."

"I thought it was ridiculous," said Steelers fan Stacey Keating. "It was really ignorant to say it like that."

"I don't think anybody hitting another person is worth it," said Barbara Begg, of Murrysville. "I don't think there was a big difference between them."

"I think he should have let both players go," said Ariel Shasko of North Huntingdon. "It's the same in each situation, because hitting anyone in the first place is wrong."

---

For those who deal with domestic violence cases on a day-to-day basis, word that the Steelers are taking action is welcome news. But they are quick to point out that it is only a first step.

"We need to bring more focus to this matter to say it's not OK for athletes, it's not OK for teachers, lawyers, it doesn't matter what profession," said Rhonda Fleming of the Women's Center and Shelter.

The Women's Center is one of a number of local agencies urging the Steelers to become more proactive in protecting women and educating the public.

"I'm glad they took this stance, and I know they're not ignorant about what is domestic violence," said Fleming. "Our doors are open to the Steelers organization. Let's start talking about what can we do together."

While some question the team's decision to cut Wilson when they kept Harrison after a domestic dispute earlier this month, Fleming said you can't paint every situation with the same brush.

"We would never want anyone to be judged by any one player or person's action," she said. "I just keep repeating that's the most important part, the safety of everybody involved, and that was a red flag back in January."

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence said it has tried to contact the Steelers to offer domestic violence training on a team level, but it has yet to hear back from the team

The Women's Center said it hopes the Rooneys will use the latest incident as an educational opportunity, using high-profile names and faces to try to make a difference.

---

Here is what you're saying about the incident:

Ginger1963 wrote: "I'd bet money that Wilson's ex-girlfriend is white-trash who saw dollar signs when she hooked up with a professional athlete. So she gets knocked up and thinks she's set for life, but thrives on drama, obviously. Can't be happy to stay committed to each other even though they have a child together, so they act all psycho and have "scenes" in front of a bunch of people. Reactionary. Typical of today's younger generation. So sad. Get your act together before you decide to bring a life into this messed up world. Wonder if she's worried that her meal ticket just lost his job..... "

2005joanp wrote: "With regards to the termination of Cedric Wilson, all abusers are sorry after the fact! This is a very sad situation. I was also a victim of domestic violence. What I have come to learn through therapy is that this is never acceptable, not even one time. I hope this is a message for all that have been abused or in a relationship, it is NEVER a part of a relationship. Hats off to the Steeler organazation! You make me proud to say I was from Pittsburgh !! Just like Christina Agulara , stop domestic violence. Go Steelers, I love you"

Pattyjo wrote: "Hats off to the Rooney Organization for finally taking a stand against violence. We, Pittsburgh Steeler fans, don't want anyone on the team that is not a good example to our children and our husbands or who puts black marks on our team and/or city. Let's continue to hold those Steelers responsible for their actions. Truthfully, Pat Campbell, Valencia."

Mramjac wrote: "Wilson is sadly just another example of a young man with no guidiance other than from people who feed off his wealth. The "handlers" managers, friends and so forth are curiously absent when any athlete that goes astray is arrested. Shame on the system that builds these young men for nothing more than Profit. The Steelers has finally stepped up. Perhaps this may begin a trend!"

Wildcat_66 wrote: "The Steelers organization is on its way to get a great reputation if this trash the Rooney's keep hiring continues!"

Jeff2310 wrote: "As an employee of the State, I would be fired. We turn our heads when sports 'stars' are bad boys and continue to condone 'criminal' multi-million dollar salaries. We are are values?"

---

Related Links:
More County News

Get RSS | E-Mail Alerts

---