Spy's Game

Before he was CIA director, Gen. Michael V. Hayden, far left, was equipment manager for the Steelers. (Handout)

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By Mike Wise

Monday, November 3, 2008

W ho are you?

Mike Hayden.

What is your rank?

Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

Where are you from?

Pittsburgh.

What business do you have in Langley?

This is my office. You asked to interview me, remember? You wanted to talk about my roots as a Steelers fan.

LIAR!

The man purporting to be America's top spy eyeballed me on Friday morning. In a mocking laugh, he said, "Don't use any techniques on me now."

He was good, very good.

Right down to having two "generals" call and interrupt the interrogation. Right down to the framed picture of a bulldozing Jerome Bettis on the wall. That's right, the Bus, who thanks a General Michael V. Hayden, the four-star Air Force general and former head of the National Security Agency, for his service to "our team and our country." To the right of the most striking image in the room -- an encased, tattered flag from 9/11 -- rests a Pittsburgh Steelers helmet, autographed by the 2005 team.

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