Steelers admit sending offensive e-mail

PITTSBURGH, May 23 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers home office admitted this week that one of its employees sent out an offensive e-mail to several NFL officials.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said Wednesday the NFL team accepted responsibility for the controversial e-mail, saying it was sent accidentally.

"The sending of inappropriate e-mail messages is against club and league policy, and the sender has been warned about the policy violation," Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said Tuesday. "The sender has issued an apology to all of the recipients."

The e-mail, which was a forwarded pornographic video, was linked to Steelers offensive line coach Larry Zierlein by ProFootballTalk.com.

Among those receiving the e-mail were NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and each team's general manager.

The newspaper reported that NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the Steelers had been in contact with league officials and called the gaffe a "club matter."