Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II issued a statement on Sunday addressing the team's investigation into the alleged assault, which occurred just prior to the team's season opening game against the New England Patriots on Thursday, between Pittsburgh tight ends coach James Daniel and an unnamed Patriots fan. Via the Steelers team website...
"We have conducted an internal inquiry into the alleged incident involving Assistant Coach James Daniel at the Patriots stadium Thursday night. After interviews with Coach Daniel as well as other personnel who witnessed the alleged encounter, we find no corroboration that Coach Daniel was involved in any physical altercation with a fan.
Coach Daniel has worked as an assistant coach for the Steelers for the past 12 seasons. We have a high level of confidence in his character and are confident that any further investigation of this incident will reveal he was not part of any assault or misconduct involving a Patriots fan."
The league's investigation was announced on Friday. NFL security were alerted to the altercation during the game, at which time the franchise began its own internal investigation.
Daniel was accused of allegedly verbally abusing and possibly physically assaulting a Patriots fan en route to the locker room at the outset of halftime of Pittsburgh's 28-21 loss to New England Thursday.
