Steelers Notes: Local bar tied to team

DETROIT — There's at least one place in the state of Washington where the pull for the Steelers will be strong Sunday — Kimo's, a sports bar in Richland owned and named for Pittsburgh defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen.

"We're not trying to tout it as just a Steelers bar, so everyone is invited," said bar manager Doug Schorzman. "But I have a feeling that the Steelers fans might outweigh Seattle fans."

Von Oelhoffen has owned the bar since July, part of his continuing involvement in the Tri-Cities area, where he lives in the offseason.

"From the day after the season ends until the day training camp begins," he said of how much time he spends there.

Von Oelhoffen grew up in Hawaii. While attending the University of Hawaii, he met Tondi Redden, a member of the basketball team and a former standout at Kamiakin High in Kennewick. When they decided to get married, they moved to Washington, with von Oelhoffen resuming his football career at Walla Walla CC. The two have three daughters.

"We just love the city," he said of Kennewick, saying he also likes the fact that it's "conservative" and that "they like their sports."

The 6-4, 299-pounder never played football until college and says he played sparingly at Hawaii — where he earned a scholarship after walking on. He says it was his one year at Walla Walla CC, which doesn't have a football program anymore, where he really learned to play.

He said uncertain academics scared off schools so he wound up at Boise State, where he had two injury-plagued seasons. But his potential made him a sixth-round pick of the Bengals, and he spent six seasons there before signing as a free agent with the Steelers in 2000.

Now he's a key part of Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense, gaining mixed notoriety when he made the hit that injured Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer in the playoffs.

Von Oelhoffen said he didn't intend to injure Palmer and his soft-spoken nature has made him a popular figure among teammates.

Steelers return to field

Pittsburgh had had just one light workout in the previous three days before returning to the practice field for a full workout Wednesday.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said in a pool report that the practice included a lot of work on preparing for Seattle's fast pace on offense.

Also, the Steelers were at full strength except for backup defensive tackle Travis Kirschke (groin) and starting fullback Dan Kreider (knee), each of whom is listed as questionable.

Running back Duce Staley was back at practice after having missed a few days to be with his family after his father, Lannie, died of lung and stomach cancer Saturday.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com