The NFL lockout got a little more interesting yesterday when a group of retired players, including Steeler great Franco Harris, filed a class-action complaint against owners and current players. The retired players have not been included in the mediation sessions and currently do not have a say in any resolution to the lockout.

“Through the settlement they are forging, the Brady plaintiffs, the NFLPA and the NFL defendants are conspiring to set retiree benefits and pension levels at artificially low levels,” the complaint alleged.

As much as I want the lockout to end right now, retired players should have their say in negotiations. Come on guys. Can’t we all just hug it out and get along?

• If you’re still really amped about Hines’ “Dancing with the Stars” win, then you’re in luck! The city of Pittsburgh will be hosting a rally for Hines and Kym on Thursday. Because the Mirror Ball Trophy truly is the sparkly Lombardi of televised competitive dance reality shows.

“City residents and the Steelers Nation have contacted my office asking for the city to properly thank our hometown hero for once-again shining the spotlight on Pittsburgh,” Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said.

• On the injury front, Ben Roethlisberger’s broken foot seems to be “healed up.” Surgery may be required if the pain returns. Roethlisberger injured his foot against the Buffalo Bills in November and wore a special cleat for the remainder of the season.
• I don’t know about you, but the Lock Out (LA-LA-LA-LA-LA) is making it impossible for me to finalize my summer travel plans. My sister and I had planned on making the trek from Ohio to Latrobe for training camp, but it’s kind of difficult to make these plans when training camp is up in the air. On the bright side, the Steelers have not issued a “drop-dead” date as far as training camp goes. So there still is hope! For training camp. And a season, I guess.

• Lockout, what lockout? The Steelers aren’t letting a silly little thing like the lockout get in the way of single game tickets. Single game tickets go on sale on June 25 at 10:00 a.m. Will we be any closer to a labor deal by then? Who knows! But plan accordingly.
• Steelers’ back-up quarterback Charlie Batch had his day in bankruptcy court, which discharged most of his debts.
• Pittsburgh Magazine has a great interview with Steelers legend Rocky Bleier. He discusses, among other things, his time serving our country in Vietnam, his favorite memories as a Steeler, and The Chief. It’s a really great read.
• Finally, the lovely ladies of Aerys NFL got together for another edition of the Aerys Huddle. In part one, we discuss troubled receivers (spoiler: Ochocinco would be hilarious in black and gold, and I kind of want to see that happen). In part two we started off with a discussion on which teams will be better prepared once the lockout is lifted, but somehow it turned into a round of pointing and laughing at the Bengals expense (or the Benglols as I have started calling them in my head. This should catch on). Part three features more lockout talk and dreamy quarterback nuptials. I should maybe spend less time thinking up cracks against the Bengals and more time researching Matt Ryan, but I think my priorities are in order.

• According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dan Rooney plans on being the U.S. ambassador to Ireland for another year.
• Speaking of Dan Rooney and positions of diplomacy, is there any chance of Mr. Rooney stepping in and putting an end to this Lockout (which is not happening, LA LA LA LA)? Not this time. Mr. Rooney, who helped end strikes in 1982 and 1987 has not and will not be involved in current negotiations. His son and Steelers’ president Art Rooney is involved in negotiations by serving on the management council executive committee.
• You know what I haven’t talked about lately? Hines Ward and “Dancing with the Stars”. It seems that Hines’ triumph on the dance floor has given his popularity a bit of a boost. I am shocked, I tell you. SHOCKED.
• Finally, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “Is it just me, or have the Steelers been kind of boring on Twitter this offseason?” Fear not, friends. Ryan Clark has rejoined Twitter! I am actually really excited, as Clark was one of my favorite football players on Twitter.

Ryan Clark during Training Camp

Ryan Clark and Charlie Batch reported to the Steelers’ training facility this morning. Clark and Batch, the only players to report, briefly met with Coach Mike Tomlin.

Yesterday Judge Susan Nelson ruled in favor of the players and lifted the lockout. Everything is all hunky-dory now, right? Well, not exactly. The league is seeking a stay and has instructed the owners not to discuss business or contract negotiations with players. Team president Art Rooney II has to wait and see what happens next.

“I still say the best way to settle this will be for both sides to sit down and negotiate. If that happens, we will get it done.”