Wilson's girlfriend says fight 'misconstrued'
The girlfriend of troubled wide receiver Cedrick Wilson on Friday downplayed their confrontation at a Pine restaurant that led to his arrest and swift dismissal from the Steelers.
"He never punched. He pushed me in the side of the head," Lindsay Paulat, 26, of Fawn told the Tribune-Review. "It was misconstrued apparently by the people around us. The restaurant staff apparently must have felt compelled to notify the police of the incident given the circumstances."
Northern Regional Police arrested Wilson, 29, a short time later at his home Wednesday evening for punching Paulat, the mother of his 1-year-old daughter. Police noticed redness and swelling on Paulat's cheek when they arrived. She was using ice to contain the swelling, a police report states.
"Cedrick walked into Patron's (Mexican Grill) and saw me sitting in the bar area," Paulat said. "He got upset when he saw me drinking. Basically, he pushed me in the side of the head and said I was being stupid and then immediately left the restaurant."
In January, police spent 12 hours outside Wilson's home after Paulat allegedly fired a gun inside during an argument with Wilson. No one was injured.
When told of Paulat's account of the most recent incident, Rhonda Fleming, education director at the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, said she wasn't surprised.
"I do understand why she's saying what she's saying, and I understand that, at this point, she's probably not able to move past where she is right now," Fleming said. "I would tell her she doesn't deserve to be hit. No one deserves to be hit."
Wilson, who played three seasons for the Steelers after signing a four-year, $8 million contract with the team in 2005, is charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. He's free on $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing next week.
Steelers chairman Dan Rooney has said the decision to release Wilson was made after he talked with director of football operations Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin.
"I think (the Steelers) have a big responsibility to take this seriously, so I actually was pleased with the fact they released him," said Juan-Carlos Arean, program manager at the Family Violence Prevention Fund, a national group that promotes awareness and prevention of domestic violence. "Historically, there has been a certain amount of tolerance for this sort of behavior -- really with top players, because the bottom line has been winning."
The Steelers didn't release Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison after he was charged March 9 with simple assault and criminal mischief for slapping his girlfriend across the face after breaking down the door to her home.
Rooney said the Steelers dealt with Harrison differently because he immediately contacted the Steelers after the arrest and took responsibility for his actions.
Wilson offered a sweeping apology after his release. He said he needs to "straighten up" before he thinks about resuming his football career.
Part of that, he said, includes taking anger management classes.
"Cedrick has been very supportive as we are working through issues," Paulat said. "I think he was just basically very disappointed in me, and he only wants the best for me and my daughter."
