So Long Santonio – Steelers pull off a shocker, sending troubled WR Holmes to the Jets

Two years ago Santonio Holmes made one of, if not the most memorable catch in Steelers and Super Bowl history, going on to eventually win the games MVP award in the teams 28-23 win. Now, he’s a member of the New York Jets.

In a stunning move that is sure to send shock waves through the Steel City, the Steelers Sunday night shipped Holmes, who is facing a civil lawsuit in Florida from a woman, to the Jets for a fifth round draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft later this month.

The civil case comes from a woman who claims Holmes threw a glass at her, cutting her above the eye, in an Orlando nightclub. The police also have been investigating the woman’s claims. Holmes denies hurting the woman, and a witness has since taken responsibility for tossing the glass, according to Holmes’ lawyer.

While it may seem like a rash move, the Steelers had finally had enough of Holmes, who has been in trouble more than once during his time in Pittsburgh. He was cited for marijuana possession, a misdemeanor, in Pennsylvania in 2008. The Steelers sat Holmes for the game following the incident against the New York Giants at home, and he subsequently apologized. In 2006, he was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Ohio, but that charge was later dropped.

Still, trading Holmes is nothing short of a major shock. In four seasons in Pittsburgh, the 26-year-old had 235 catches for 3,835 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was the second wide out on the team next to Hines Ward, and many felt he was only going to get better. Now he’ll do it in New York, where the Jets get a play maker at wide out, and one they hope will stay out of trouble.

Holmes will go down as the final first round draft pick of the Bill Cowher era, as he joined the team the offseason following the Super Bowl win over Seattle in February of 2006.