Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf not happy with Ben Roethlisberger's barber visit during COVID-19 shutdown
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Ben Roethlisberger made waves on Monday simply by getting a haircut and a beard trim.
And not just because he’s dropping the marooned-on-an-island look. The change in appearance indicates that he has recovered from last year’s season-ending elbow injury. Roethlisberger had vowed to grow his hair out until he was recovered.
It also indicates that he’s flouting Pennsylvania’s coronavirus safety protocols that prohibit barbers from operating in Allegheny County, where he got his hair cut. And for that, he got the attention of Gov. Tom Wolf.
Wolf is not happy with Big Ben.
‘I don’t care who you are’
“Anybody who puts himself or herself into harm’s way is something that I think we ought to try to avoid,” Wolf told reporters on Tuesday when asked about Roethlisberger’s barber visit. “And when you go to something like a barbershop and you’re not protected, I don’t care who you are. The chances of that virus actually wreaking havoc on your life increases.
“I don’t personally think any Pennsylvanian ought to take that chance and I certainly don’t want to take that chance myself.”
Here’s the Steelers hype video touting the offending haircut reportedly done at Norman’s Cut N’ Edge Barbershop in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
The beard is trimmed...
...you know what that means 👀@_BigBen7 | @TeamJuJu | @JamesConner_ | @Switz pic.twitter.com/YLTtCynK25— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 18, 2020
Consequences for barbershop?
So is Norman’s in trouble with the governor? Wolf delivered a stern warning without calling out the shop by name.
“Businesses that do follow the whims of local politicians and ignore the law and the welfare of their customers will probably find themselves uninsured,” Wolf said. “Because insurance does not cover things that happen to businesses breaking the law.”
Wolf’s press office told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a statement that licensed barbers that don’t comply with orders from the governor’s and secretary of health’s offices are subject to a letter of non-compliance and potential fines.
Again, Norman’s was not mentioned specifically.
Maybe Big Ben should’ve gotten his haircut at home.
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