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PITTSBURGH (AP) - Tommy Maddox's family has been subjected to abuse since his poor performance in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 23-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, his agent told a newspaper.
"Having your kids deal with it at school and on the bus is a very, very tough deal," Vann McElroy, the backup quarterback's agent, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Some fans have tossed objects into the yard of Maddox's suburban home, and his wife has been driving the couple's two grade-school aged children to school to shield them from abuse.
Maddox threw three interceptions, including one returned for a 41-yard touchdown in overtime, in the loss.
Maddox politely declined to be interviewed on the subject, saying the abuse has come from "just a few people."
"I just want it to go away, that's all. Just want it to go away," Maddox said.
Maddox came off the bench to replace Kordell Stewart in the 2002 season, guided the team to the playoffs and became a cult hero nicknamed "Tommy Gun" by Pittsburgh fans. He began last season as a starter, but lost his job to No. 1 draft pick Ben Roethlisberger after an early season elbow injury.
Maddox's start Sunday was his first since last season's finale against the Buffalo Bills - played after the Steelers already had won home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Roethlisberger was shelved because of a hyperextended knee and bone bruise, but is scheduled to start this Sunday in Cincinnati.
"Tommy certainly appreciates the Rooneys (the family that owns the Steelers) believing in him," McElroy said. "But when this stuff comes into it, it's really tough. It's one thing to get booed, but when you take it beyond the field, that's when it can be too much, especially for a guy who's done some great things during his time in Pittsburgh."
McElroy didn't immediately return calls from The Associated Press on Thursday.
"Having your kids deal with it at school and on the bus is a very, very tough deal," Vann McElroy, the backup quarterback's agent, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Some fans have tossed objects into the yard of Maddox's suburban home, and his wife has been driving the couple's two grade-school aged children to school to shield them from abuse.
Maddox threw three interceptions, including one returned for a 41-yard touchdown in overtime, in the loss.
Maddox politely declined to be interviewed on the subject, saying the abuse has come from "just a few people."
"I just want it to go away, that's all. Just want it to go away," Maddox said.
Maddox came off the bench to replace Kordell Stewart in the 2002 season, guided the team to the playoffs and became a cult hero nicknamed "Tommy Gun" by Pittsburgh fans. He began last season as a starter, but lost his job to No. 1 draft pick Ben Roethlisberger after an early season elbow injury.
Maddox's start Sunday was his first since last season's finale against the Buffalo Bills - played after the Steelers already had won home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Roethlisberger was shelved because of a hyperextended knee and bone bruise, but is scheduled to start this Sunday in Cincinnati.
"Tommy certainly appreciates the Rooneys (the family that owns the Steelers) believing in him," McElroy said. "But when this stuff comes into it, it's really tough. It's one thing to get booed, but when you take it beyond the field, that's when it can be too much, especially for a guy who's done some great things during his time in Pittsburgh."
McElroy didn't immediately return calls from The Associated Press on Thursday.
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