Rashard Mendenhall causes stir with Osama bin Laden tweets

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall says he likes to encourage people to think with his statements on Twitter -- but who knows what they’re thinking after his controversial tweets concerning the death of Osama bin Laden.

One of Mendenhall’s tweets from Monday read: “What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…�

He also commented on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks: “We’ll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style.�

We do know what Steelers President Art Rooney II thinks about Mendenhall’s posts. He released a statement Tuesday distancing the team from the star running back’s comments.

“I have not spoken with Rashard, so it is hard to explain or even comprehend what he meant with his recent Twitter comments,’ Rooney said. ‘The entire Steelers organization is very proud of the job our military personnel have done and we can only hope this leads to our troops coming home soon.�

Mendenhall refers to himself as a “conversationalist and professional athlete� in his Twitter profile. Among his other bin Laden-related tweets:

“For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn in hell and … on his ashes, I ask how would God feel about your heart?�

“I believe in God. I believe we’re ALL his children. And I believe HE is the ONE and ONLY judge.�

“Those who judge others, will also be judged themselves.�

“There is not an ignorant bone in my body. I just encourage you to think.�

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.