PITTSBURGH — Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was hospitalized Friday after being severely burned during an early-morning fire at his home in a Pittsburgh suburb.
Authorities say the fire broke out around 3 a.m. in the kitchen of Wilson’s home in Seven Fields, about 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh. Flames were visible to firefighters when they arrived on the scene, according to Cranberry Township director of public safety Jeffrey Schueler.
The 50-year-old Wilson, in his fifth season with the Steelers, was taken to a hospital before being airlifted to UPMC Mercy Hospital. His condition was not immediately available. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
Wilson will not travel with the team to Denver, where the Steelers face the Broncos on Sunday in the first round of the AFC playoffs. Offensive assistant Harold Goodwin worked with the running backs during Friday’s practice.
“The entire organization is praying for Kirby to have a full recovery and we will be by his side through this difficult time,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement on the team’s website
All-Pro Team announced
NEW YORK — Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen were the leading vote getters in balloting for the 2011 All-Pro Team that was announced Friday. San Francisco led the team with five players. There were 16 players from the NFC and 12 from the AFC. For the complete team, see the Scoreboard on Page D4.
Video to help treat injuries
NEW YORK — The NFL will begin using video monitors on each team’s sideline this weekend to help treat injuries.
In a memo sent to the 32 teams, the league said the monitors would be used to “allow the medical staff to review the network video of any play during which a player was injured.”
Only video of a play during which a player was injured or appears to be hurt can be viewed, and it can only be viewed by a team physician or head athletic trainer. A league official must be notified when the monitor is used.
Raiders to hire McKenzie
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders said they have reached an agreement with Green Bay Packers director of football operations Reggie McKenzie to become their general manager. They scheduled a news conference for Tuesday to introduce McKenzie, who will fulfill many of the duties handled by owner Al Davis until his Oct. 8 death at age 82.
Bears promote ex-Seahawk
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have promoted offensive-line coach Mike Tice to offensive coordinator, replacing the departed Mike Martz. This will be the first coordinator job for Tice, a former tight end with the Seattle Seahawks who just completed his second season as the Bears’ line coach. He spent the previous four seasons as an assistant in Jacksonville and was the head coach in Minnesota for four years after serving as the Vikings’ offensive line and tight ends coach.
For this week’s NFL injury report, see the Scoreboard on Page D4.
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