The story grabbed people's attention like the subprime lending crisis and Michael Vick's puppy problems, and rightfully so.
This was perhaps a once-in-a-generation look into the inner machinations of a ritualistic enclave known worldwide for its mission of wanton destruction.
This was an unprecedented glimpse at the Pittsburgh Steelers' hotel rider.
The Smoking Gun Web site got its resourceful hands on the 17-page list of requirements the Steelers place on each hotel in which the team stays when on the road.
Fans immediately devoured the document, but many came away confused. That's not surprising.
Even if you read the rider carefully, parts of it are difficult to decipher. Parts of it are as puzzling as the Da Vinci Code.
So don't be embarrassed if you have questions about some portions of the rider. I'm here to answer them.
Q: Why is a hotel security guard required to accompany a Steelers staffer during the nightly bed check?
A: Casey Hampton and many other Steelers are far too large for just one person to tuck securely into bed.
Q: What is the significance of the Steelers requiring only 35 copies of the local newspaper when the team has 53 players on its roster?
A: The numbers present compelling evidence that at least 18 Steelers have no interest whatsoever in playing Sudoku.
Q: Why do the Steelers insist the hotel provide a priest to deliver Mass in a hotel meeting room?
A: Probably because of the difficulty in locating Roman Catholic churches outside of the Pittsburgh city limits. There just aren't that many of them around.
Q: Why is Heinz the only ketchup permitted at team meals?
A: The Steelers have considered the taste of Heinz vastly superior to Hunt's and other brands, ever since Heinz forked over $57 million to the Rooney family for the naming rights to Heinz Field.
Q: Why do the Steelers demand that the hard-boiled eggs on the team snack menu come pre-peeled?
A: They don't want a repeat of that disastrous 1976 season, when Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier both missed a playoff game against the Oakland Raiders after being injured in separate egg-deshelling accidents.
Q: Should fans be concerned about the size of the players' snack menu?
A: Not at all. Remember, football players tend to be oversized men with hearty appetites.
They should still have plenty of room for a full meal after momentarily sating their hunger with the required munchies -- linguini, chicken wings, hamburgers, pizza, french fries, grilled chicken breasts, steamed vegetables, sandwiches, fresh fruit, cookies and, of course, pre-peeled hard boiled eggs.
Q: Why do the Steelers mandate that the hash browns in the pregame meal contain no green or red peppers?
A: That's an easy one. Management obviously doesn't want players overeating.
