James Daniel, Steelers TE Coach, Investigated for Allegedly Kicking Patriots Fan

Pittsburgh Steelers tight ends coach James Daniel is being investigated for allegedly assaulting a New England Patriots fan during the season opener last Thursday at Gillette Stadium.

On Friday, ESPN.com's Adam Schefter provided details of what NFL security is looking into with Daniel, and on Sunday, he provided a statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II:

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The incident in question occurred before and after halftime of the Steelers' 28-21 loss on Thursday night. Daniel, who was on his way to the Steelers' locker room, was seen allegedly kicking a Patriots fan in the back of his leg and yelling at the fan in front of witnesses.

By the time Daniel returned to the coaching booth after halftime, police and NFL security were waiting for him. Once the coach was identified by witnesses, and police approached him about controlling his behavior, Daniel began shouting at the police officer, according to witnesses.

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Schefter's original report stated Daniel was interviewed by NFL security after the incident with the police, though security staff "did not witness the exchange with police." 

Pittsburgh hired Daniel as its tight ends coach in 2004, and he won Super Bowls with the team in 2005 and 2008.

Daniel has been coaching in the NFL since 1993, starting with the New York Giants, and has served mostly as a tight ends coach with one season as an offensive line coach during a seven-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons.

The NFL has been enduring a rush of bad public relations incidents over the last two years for various reasons, both on and off the field.

Having a coach from one of the league's most prominent teams embroiled in a situation involving an alleged attack on a fan is not the way the NFL wanted to start the 2015 season.