ZOO TRADES ROETHLISBERGER FOR LEMIEUX

(image courtesy MH reader Stephanie- click for a larger view)

Losing a beef jerky endorsement was one thing. But getting stripped of your name on a sign at the Pittsburgh Zoo shows just how far the image of the Steelers' apparently-staying QB has fallen. 

It's been a few years since I've been to the zoo, so I don't remember this particular exhibit. But apparently the name of Ben Roethlisberger was used in a display on the pathway leading to the elephant barn that compares the height of the elephants to other creatures. Very soon, that image will be coming down.

Tracy Gray, manager of public and media relations for the zoo, was asked the obvious question of the display change having anything to do with current events. "Well, we have had some calls. Mr. Roethlisberger isn't the most popular person lately," said Gray.

Who will replace Roethlisberger on the exhibit? That would be one Mario Lemieux, who holds a decidedly better name among Pittsburghers at the time.

And the zoo isn't the only place generating bad PR for Big Ben. At last night's NFL draft, the always-tactful New York crowd greeted the announcement of the Steelers being on the clock with chants of "She said no!", which thankfully was quieted when a kid from the Make-a-Wish Foundation arrived at the podium to make the pick and got a standing O. Unfortunately, the chant will probably be tame compared to what we'll hear from opposing fans when Roethlisberger returns later in the 2010 season.

Roethlisberger replaced in graphic at the Pittsburgh zoo [PG]

Crowd at 2010 NFL draft lets Ben Roethlisberger know what they think of Pittsburgh quarterback [NY Daily News]

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