Tommy Maddox was throwing softly at first, but then he started getting into it.

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback wasn't throwing to Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress or any of his usual targets. And he wasn't throwing on a football field, although there was one close by.

Maddox was throwing to the likes of Chris Porterfield and Mike Hickey -- and they were on skateboards.

"I grabbed one, but the guy was throwing it so hard it stung my hands," said Hickey, formerly of Hermitage, who dropped all three passes.

"This one guy, Tommy (Budjanek of Pittsburgh), got hit so hard his chest is purple," Hickey added. "He's OK."

This unusual sporting event, which isn't likely to catch on professionally, will be aired on "The Giant Eagle Jerome Bettis Show" at 11:30 p.m. today on KDKA, Pittsburgh's Channel 2.