Steeler QB's Barber Fires Back At Gov. Tom Wolf's Criticism

PITTSBURGH, PA — The barber who gave Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the haircut that prompted criticism from Gov. Tom Wolf has responded to the governor's remarks.

Wolf on Tuesday criticized Roethlisberger after a video surfaced on his social media accounts of the quarterback getting a haircut. Hair salons are not supposed to be open in the state's yellow reopening phase after the coronavirus shutdown.

Speaking on a conference call with reporters, Wolf expressed disapproval over Roethlisberger's visit to the barber, saying, "Anybody who puts himself or herself into harm's way is something that I think we ought to try to avoid."

"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," he continued. "I don't personally think that any Pennsylvanian ought to take that chance. I certainly don't want to take that chance myself."

The attorney for Carlos Norman, the barber who gave Roethlisberger the trim, released a statement saying that his shop has remained closed during the coronavirus outbreak and Norman cut the quarterback's hair for free.

"Carlos Norman has been a community fixture and local business owner since 1993. Norman's Cuttin' Edge Barber Shop has been closed for business since the governor's shutdown order, and presently remains closed, in full compliance with the law and state regulations," the statement said.

"Mr. Norman and Mr. Roethlisberger are close personal friends, and Mr. Norman's use of his free time during closure to provide haircut to his friend was a personal favor where no money was received or exchanged."

The statement concluded: "We should all look within ourselves to celebrate and be thankful for the existence of family, community and personal friends to lend a hand in each of our lives at this time rather than promote stories that divide us."