Ex-Steeler sues western, Pa. casino

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mike Merriweather has filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was fired from his promotions job with a western Pennsylvania casino because of his race.

A spokesman for The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, which is being sued along with parent company Cannery Casino Resorts, declined comment.

Merriweather, who was a Pro Bowl linebacker for the Steelers during the 1980s, claims the casino’s white management made disparaging remarks about his being potentially violent and black, sometime in jest, but other times in connection with an alleged dispute about his job.

Merriweather contends he was hired as Director of Sports Marketing to promote events that might attract other athletes to the casino about 15 miles south of Pittsburgh. Merriweather contends he was fired in January 2012 and hasn’t been paid commissions.