WASHINGTON -- Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Kendall Simmons skipped the weight room and the practice facility Wednesday. Instead, he tried his hand at lobbying members of Congress.

Simmons, 29, was on Capitol Hill urging Congressional leaders to boost funding for juvenile diabetes research funding. Simmons, who recently signed a contract extension with the club through 2011, was diagnosed with diabetes in 2003. He had suffered from blurred vision, weakness, and significant weight loss, just before his diagnosis.

The national Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has asked Simmons to help the organization push Congress to increase funding for federal research programs.

Simmons said he asked Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for permission to make the trip to Washington. He said he didn't want to skip voluntary off-season practices without asking his coach first.