Both Pittsburgh fans and non-fans alike ripped the unis to shreds (unfortunately not literally), comparing the retro look to “a character from Dr. Seuss’s books” or “a soccer player that just got out of jail” — and everything in between.

Now, one of the players who will have the unfortunate honor of actually putting this thing on his body has joined the fun.

Chiming in on Twitter, the always-outspoken James Harrison made it known he’s no fan of the old-school uniforms, either, urging the team to nix the nostalgia and do away with them.

There’s a reason these jerseys were from 1932….. it’s 2012 now though, so send them back!!!lol fb.me/1FqMEi1dB

— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) April 17, 2012

True, James, but you’re off by two years; the Steelers first rocked these bad boys in 1934. I agree with you, though — having to play in front of millions looking like you wrapped yourself in police caution tape almost borders on cruel and unusual punishment.

LaMarr Woodley, what say you?

Hmmmmm…. fb.me/1R386xI1R

— LaMarr Woodley (@LaMarrWoodley) April 17, 2012

I think he’s just trying to be nice.

[H/T ESPN]

An NFL source tells the Denver Post that the Broncos will play host to the Steelers in the first NBC Sunday Night Football contest on September 9.

This game will be one of an expected handful of primetime matchups for the Broncos, who’ve unsurprisingly become a national showcase with Peyton Manning now in tow.

Aside from Manning, however, the storyline is intriguing; the Steelers’ season shockingly ended at Mile High Field this past January in the AFC Wildcard playoffs, as former quarterback Tim Tebow led his team to an improbable overtime win over Pittsburgh, who were heavily favored at the time.

The rest of the 2012-13 schedule is currently being revealed on NFL Network. Tune in or check out NFL.com for the entire docket.

Instead, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team plans to place a first-round tender on the Pro Bowl receiver. It’s a risky proposition by Pittsburgh’s general manager, Kevin Colbert, regarded as one of the best in the business.

While the tag would’ve ensured Wallace remains with the Steelers, the tender leaves them vulnerable to “predators” willing to part with a first-round pick — and a lucrative long-term deal.

Though, if they’re willing to take the risk, it’s a financially feasible move for the club, who are “barely” under the salary cap. The tag for receivers costs $9.4 million, whereas the tender is worth a manageable $2.7 million.

Speaking at the Combine last week, Colbert sounded confident in his ability to retain the 25-year-old.

“Having a great player like Mike Wallace is not a dilemma,” Colbert said. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that Mike Wallace remains a Pittsburgh Steeler and I think that’s Mike’s belief as well. Usually when you have two parties that share the same goal, it’s easier to achieve that goal.”

Wallace, however, didn’t share the same enthusiasm, leading to speculation that the Steelers have “real concern” over losing him.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers released Ward on Wednesday, ending his 14-year career in Pittsburgh.

The move was confirmed in a statement released via the team’s official website.

“We had a conversation today with Hines Ward and informed him that we plan to release him of his contract prior to the start of the 2012 NFL calendar year,” Steelers President Art Rooney II told the team’s website, Steelers.com. “Hines has been an integral part of our success since we drafted him in 1998 and we will forever be grateful for what he has helped us achieve. He has meant so much to this organization, both on and off the field, and we appreciate his efforts over the past 14 years. Hines’ accomplishments are numerous, and he will always be thought of as one of the all-time great Steelers. We wish him nothing but the best.”

It was an expected move, as Ward fell out of favor in the offense last season, while displaying diminished separation skills and route-running ability.

No longer capable of handling his usual slot duties, Ward was nowhere near worth the $4 million he was set to earn in 2012, and the money will likely now go toward signing fellow receiver Mike Wallace to a long-term extension.

Set to turn 36 in a few days, Ward, the Steelers’ all-time leader in receptions, may opt to call it quits — as was the initial expectation — or settle for a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum with another club.

Unfortunately, it’s a double-edged sword, as his playmaking ability might make it tough for the team to retain the Pro Bowl receiver.

NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora reported Monday night that there is “real concern” within Pittsburgh’s front office over potentially losing Wallace, a restricted free agent.

The Steelers are said to have little wiggle room under the cap, which puts the club in an awkward spot.

The franchise tag would cost $9.5 million next season — so that’s out of the question — and placing a first-round tender on Wallace would by no means guarantee he remains in the Steel City.

Assuming he’s tendered, La Canfora names the Ravens and Patriots as two teams that could show interest in the 25-year-old. The Pats are in an ideal spot, having both the ammo (two first-round picks) and an immediate need at the position.

CBSSports’ Mike Freeman, after speaking with a player via text, reports that Ward is expected to soon announce his retirement.

As Freeman cautions, the decision is far from being set in stone, as Ward recently said he plans on playing next season, but that “doesn’t seem to be the case.”

The 2011 campaign was a brutal one for Ward, who started only nine games, recording 46 receptions for just 381 yards and two touchdowns.

In the AFC Wild Card contest against the Broncos, he was held without a catch, looking like a shell of his former self on the field. It’s obvious the 35-year-old receiver has been completely phased out of the offense, falling to fifth on the depth chart and having his spot overtaken by the young studs, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.

Even if he doesn’t call it quits, Ward is a likely cap casualty, as he’s due to collect $4 million in base salary in 2012. He may be more inclined to go out on his own terms, rather than attempt to give it another go as a free agent who can’t draw any interest.

A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, Ward is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate. And, hey, he always has a dancing career to fall back on.

UPDATE: WPXI in Pittsburgh has refuted Freeman’s report, citing multiple sources who say Ward has no intentions of retiring. While it’s possible Ward isn’t ready to hang ‘em up, there’s still just a slim chance he returns to the Steelers — at least without taking a sizable paycut first.

After years of coming through in the clutch, Hines Ward is now lucky to just see the field.

Nevertheless, the four-time Pro Bowler feels he’s got more gas left in the tank, and has no intentions of going out on this kind of note.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ward acknowledged Friday, one day before he steps onto Heinz Field for what may be the final time, that retirement isn’t apart of his New Year’s resolutions for 2012.

“I have two years left on my contract,” Ward said, counting this one. “I’m not even thinking that this is my last one. If the organization decides to, I have no control over that. But, for me, I’m not even thinking this is my last game ever [at Heinz Field]

In fact, the 35-year-old even left the door open for 2013.

“I feel fine. I feel like I can play another year or two if I want to.”

Despite the overwhelming possibility that he might have to record reception number 1000 — he’s only nine away — with another club, Ward isn’t letting the thought creep into his mind, as he enters the postseason with a chance at a third ring.

“I don’t want to play for anybody else,” he said. We’ll deal with that when the time comes. Right now, it’s not even in my mind to think what happens — am I going to be here, is this my last game? I don’t think like that, I’ve never thought like that.”

Ward’s situation is similar to that of the Colts’ Reggie Wayne — two longtime greats with questionable futures. The only difference is Wayne is a few years younger, and proves he’s still capable of performing at a high level. Ward can’t do anything about the former, but the latter is in his hands — most literally.

Should he return for a fourteenth season in the Steel City, Ward would be comfortable as an afterthought in the offense.

To him, it’s obviously better than the alternative — a dancing career, perhaps?

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Steelers have named Charlie Batch the starting quarterback for Saturday’s contest against the Rams.

Roethlisberger, who’s battling a high-ankle sprain, is officially listed as questionable, and may still dress in case an emergency arises.

Dennis Dixon, who was trade bait this past August, will serve as the No. 2 option for the game.

While Batch is certainly not comparable to Roethlisberger — in nearly any facet — Pittsburgh apparently feels as if they can handle a two-win Rams squad that boasts one of the NFL’s worst defenses.

Besides, with a playoff berth already wrapped up, Batch will likely spend the Christmas Eve afternoon handing the ball off to runningback Rashard Mendenhall, who could add more coal to St. Louis’ slumping stocking.

It was another textbook showing of toughness by Big Ben, whose made a career out of playing through painful ailments.

But it came at a price, a potentially hefty one with a major interconference clash looming.

Peter King, of SI.com, spent some time in the Steelers lockerroom after their 14-3 win over the Browns, and came away with “doubts” that Roethlisberger, who could “hardly walk”, will be able to play in Week 15 against the 49ers.

“Ben could put about 20 ounces of weight on left foot,” King said.

Roethlisberger was injured during the second quarter, when two Browns defenders converged on him for a sack. He was bent backwards on a high-low hit, forcing his leg to twist awkwardly in the turf. The hit left him with a noticeable limp, which was severe enough to require further examination in the lockerroom.

Amazingly, Big Ben emerged from the tunnel onto the field to start the second half, drawing a tremendous ovation from the home crowd.

As King put it, the entire “Western World” thought Roethlisberger was done for the night after he went down, so it was a particularly gutsy effort on his part. After the game, Ben conceded that he initially thought his leg was broken. It sure looked like it on replay.

Roethlisberger has become the definition of a warrior over the years, displaying a higher pain tolerance than perhaps any other player in the NFL. With 10 days of rest upcoming, he’ll be afforded the opportunity to receive extra treatment, and we can never truly count against him when it comes to situations such as these.

However, this particular injury is difficult to control and usually lingers for at least a few weeks. Come next Monday night, it won’t at all be a surprise to see Roethlisberger in the huddle — nor would it be if it’s Charlie Batch instead.

During the second quarter of the Browns-Steelers contest, Roethlisberger went down awkwardly after he was sacked by two Cleveland defenders, his left ankle twisting in the turf.

Ben had to be helped off of the field by trainers and escorted to the locker room, with each gimpy step causing him to wince in obvious pain.

He couldn’t put any weight on the foot, and NFL Network’s Alex Flanagan said there was a “distressed” feeling in the tunnel.

A couple of Charlie Batch-led series later, a shoeless Roethlisberger was seen hopping onto a cart, likely to undergo additional tests.

He’s no stranger to pain, having dealt with a smorgasbord of ailments of the years, but if this is as severe as replays indicated, there’s a chance Big Ben could miss an extended period of time.

While there’s been no update to his status, we should know more as the night progresses. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: NFL Network reported during halftime that x-rays revealed no break in the ankle, and Roethlisberger has returned to the game. It’s a major bullet dodged for both the team and its Pro Bowl signal-caller, whose once again proven to be a true iron man.