Steelers kicker Jeff Reed was cited with disorderly conduct early yesterday after police said he damaged a towel dispenser at a Sheetz convenience store in Westmoreland County.

State police said Mr. Reed, 29, was in the restroom of the convenience store on Route 22 in New Alexandria at 2:50 a.m. when he began "banging on something" and making loud noises.

He then "used profane language towards a Sheetz employee stating that there were no towels in the restroom," police said.

"Reed continued using profane language in a loud manner outside the store. Reed caused damage to a towel dispenser as he was infuriated at the fact that there were no towels in it," according to police.

Police issued summary citations for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief to Mr. Reed. The charges were referred to Bradenville District Judge Mark Bilik.

Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said the team was still gathering information on the matter last night and had no comment.

Mr. Reed could not be reached yesterday. A woman who answered the door at his townhouse on the South Side said he was not there.

Mr. Reed is one of the Steelers' more recognizable players; he dyed his hair platinum blond during the team's Super Bowl run this year.

Two of the team's Super Bowl heroes also had scrapes with the law last year.

Pittsburgh police cited receiver Santonio Holmes with a misdemeanor marijuana count in October and the team suspended him for one game. His court hearing is set for Feb. 26.

Linebacker James Harrison's girlfriend filed charges accusing him of assaulting her at her Ohio Township residence in March. The charges were dropped a month later and he underwent anger-management counseling.

First Published: February 15, 2009, 5:15 a.m.