Pennsylvania Chief Who Directed Racial Slur At Steelers Coach Resigns

A Pennsylvania fire chief who use a racial slur in a Facebook post directed at Pittsburg Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin over his team’s handling of the NFL National Anthem protest, has resigned.

According to an announcement from the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors, Fire Chief Paul Smith stepped down from the Muse Volunteer Fire Company today following outrage over his post on Sunday that said:

“Tomlin just added himself to the list of no good [n-word]. Yes I said it.”

Chief Smith apologized yesterday for the post, but the apology appears to have been inadequate to quell the firestorm. Township officials called for his resignation, and it was tendered this afternoon.

Here is a link to video coverage. Hope to embed more news coverage as it becomes available.

This is from yesterday:

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
x

Check Also

New Mexico Firefighter Claims Mistaken Identity Led To His Termination

A New Mexico firefighter who was fired earlier this year, has filed suit claiming he was mistakenly identified as a wanted criminal. Daniel Rubio filed suit in Second Judicial District Court claiming that Bernalillo County wrongfully terminated his employment.

UK Firefighter Sentenced to Prison For Taking Photos of Accident Victim

A UK firefighter has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for taking and sharing photos of the body of a man killed in a car crash. Cameron Hancel took the photos in March, 2023 while working for the West Midlands Fire Service.