STEELERS linbacker shot at bar. season down the tubes

[rainstorm]

DENVER (Aug. 31) -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was seriously wounded when he was among six people shot early Sunday outside a bar following the Colorado-Colorado State football game.

Porter was in serious condition, but the injury wasn't life-threatening, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said. One of the other victims died, Jackson said.

Porter, 26, was not involved in any confrontation. The All-Pro linebacker, a five-year veteran, is a CSU graduate.

"He was an innocent bystander. There was no confrontation or altercation that we know of at this time,'' said Jackson.

No arrests were made.

Jackson said the shots were fired from outside a fenced-in parking lot where the victims were standing just before 2AM MT.

The dead man was identified as Christopher Wilford, 28.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said the team would not place Porter on injured reserve, which would sideline him for the season.

Porter, a third-round draft pick in 1998, played in his first Pro Bowl last season. He became the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have nine sacks and four interceptions.

Considered one of the league's best all-around linebackers, Porter also had two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles last season. Against Oakland in the second game of 2002, Porter made 10 solo tackles, had three sacks and intercepted two passes, earning him to AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

"Joey's like a Broadway showman,'' Clark Haggans, a teammate since their days at Colorado State, said during training camp. "If he has any ability in something he likes to show it. He wants everyone to see it, like it.''

Haggans probably will start in Porter's place.

08/31/03 16:44 EDT

what is it with athletes and guns?

[Guest]

Ouch, tough break at the beginning of the season. Hope he's ok. Don't know if I believe that there wasn't an altercation though.