Are we ready for some Football?

One of the most complete players football has ever known now takes his place among the game's immortals.

Former Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. has been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors. Chosen in his first year of eligibility, Fitzgerald headlines the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and becomes the 11th player associated with Pitt elected to Canton, tied for the third most among all colleges.

"Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best players the game has ever seen, on and off the field," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "He's been an incredible ambassador for our program and university for decades, always being proud to say he went to Pitt every step of the way. Being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor, and we couldn't be happier for Larry and his family."

Across a spectacular 17-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, Fitzgerald built a résumé of excellence. He finished second in NFL history in both receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492), trailing only Jerry Rice. And in a stat that perfectly captures his reliability, Fitzgerald recorded more career tackles than dropped passes in his career.

A member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team, Fitzgerald was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. He remarkably led the NFL in receptions at age 22 and again at 33, and caught at least 50 passes in each of his 17 seasons, tying Rice's all-time mark.

Fitzgerald's greatness extended beyond box scores. He delivered one of the most dominant postseason runs in league history during the 2008 playoffs and thrived despite a revolving door at quarterback, catching passes from 22 different signal-callers while maintaining high production year after year.

From one Pitt legend to another, fellow Panther and the program's most recent Hall of Famer, cornerback Darrelle Revis, offered his praise.

"Larry Fitzgerald didn't just play the game, he honored it," Revis said. "With unmatched hands, relentless preparation, and humility, he defined excellence for an era. His legacy isn't measured only in catches and yards, but in respect earned from teammates, opponents, and the game itself. That is the mark of a Hall of Famer. From one Pitt Man to another, welcome to Canton."

Before redefining consistency in the NFL, Fitzgerald first captivated college football audiences at Pitt, earning a first-ballot selection into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Despite playing just two seasons (2002-03), he left an indelible mark on the program and the sport. In only 26 games, Fitzgerald totaled 161 catches for 2,677 yards and a Pitt-record 34 receiving touchdowns. His catches were even once described by Sports Illustrated as "mini-dramas in themselves, air ballets played out in full pads."

During a historic 2003 season, Fitzgerald was virtually unstoppable, hauling in 92 receptions for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns while facing constant double- and triple-team coverage. He led the nation in receiving yards per game and touchdown catches, earned the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award (becoming the first sophomore to do so), won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver, and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, the highest finish by a wide receiver since 1991.

In announcing his decision to enter the NFL Draft in 2004, Fitzgerald made a promise that would define the next two decades.

"The University of Pittsburgh has been a special place to me and I will be forever indebted to the many people who helped me as both a person and a player," Fitzgerald said at the time. "It has been an honor and privilege to be a Panther. I will always work to represent this school as best I can in whatever I do in life."

That commitment has extended far beyond football. In 2016, Fitzgerald received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his excellence on the field and impact off it. Through The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, established in honor of his mother, Carol, he has worked tirelessly to expand access to education, technology and breast cancer resources in underserved communities across the United States and around the world.

In May 2025, he returned to campus to address Pitt's graduating class and received an honorary Doctorate of Letters, underscoring the same vow to service and leadership that has helped define his legacy. His dedication also earned him the 2025 Heisman Humanitarian Award from the Heisman Trophy Trust, honoring his leadership, generosity and lifelong commitment to giving back through his foundation's work.

From Pittsburgh to Phoenix to Canton, Larry Fitzgerald Jr.'s selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame cements a legacy defined by greatness on the field, impact far beyond it, and a journey that stands among the finest the game has ever known.

"Football was a great time in my life, and I look back on it fondly," Fitzgerald said last year. "It's just a few chapters of your life in the grand scheme of things. I wanted to go out quietly. The game was much bigger than any individual person. That's the kind of approach I've always taken."

Source: Pitt Athletics

Widely regarded as a generational talent, and one of the best players in college football history, Aaron Donald has earned election to the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026, the National Football Foundation announced today.

Selected in his first year of eligibility, Donald becomes the 26th individual associated with Pitt to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

"Aaron Donald represents everything we value at Pitt: Humility, toughness and an unwavering commitment to excellence," said Athletic Director Allen Greene. "His impact extends far beyond the field and his legacy continues to inspire our student-athletes and our entire community. His selection to the National Football Foundation's 2026 College Football Hall of Fame is a fitting honor for one of the greatest players ever to wear a Pitt uniform and we look forward to celebrating him this December."

Donald, who had his No. 97 retired by the program in 2025, is a Western Pennsylvania native who starred at Penn Hills High School. He twice earned first-team All-State Class AAAA honors before enrolling at Pitt in 2010 and was an immediate contributor for the Panthers. Over the next four seasons, he compiled an incredible 66 tackles for loss, the most by an FBS interior defensive lineman and fourth overall regardless of position, since the NCAA began tracking the statistic in 2000.

As a senior at Pitt in 2013, Donald was an unstoppable force. He led the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss and added 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a blocked extra point. At season's end, Donald was named a unanimous first-team All-American and the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, and Rotary Lombardi Award, making him one of the most decorated players in Pitt history.

"Aaron set a new standard at Pitt and then carried that standard with him to the highest level of football," said Pitt Head Football Coach Pat Narduzzi. "What the world witnessed during his time in the NFL is a direct reflection of who he was right here in Pittsburgh. He was relentless, disciplined, and dominant. He showed everyone what Pitt Football looks like, and he's the blueprint for every player who comes through this program. Aaron Donald is Pitt, and we couldn't be prouder to celebrate his College Football Hall of Fame induction."

The ground floor of Pitt's Duratz Athletic Complex was renamed the Aaron Donald Football Performance Center in 2019, following a seven-figure gift Donald made to the Pitt Football Championship Fund. His donation, the largest ever by a Pitt football letterman, continues to support facility improvements, recruiting, technology, and student-athlete development.

Selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft (13th overall), Donald more than delivered on the lofty expectations placed on a top draft choice. Over 10 professional seasons, he became one of only three players in league history to win three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Donald was also one of just six unanimous selections to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and helped lead the Rams to two Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl LVI.

Beyond football, Donald founded the AD99 Solutions Foundation, which prepares Pittsburgh's underprivileged youth for lifelong success by providing access to quality education, nutrition, and community involvement.

The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. Class members will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2026 season.

In addition to Donald, Pitt's other College Football Hall of Famers (with years associated with Pitt) are: Ruben Brown(1991–94), Len Casanova (1950, coach), Jimbo Covert (1978–82), Averell Daniell (1934–36), Tom Davies (1918–21), Mike Ditka (1958–60), Joseph Donchess (1927–29), Tony Dorsett (1973–76), Larry Fitzgerald (2002–03), Bill Fralic (1981–84), Hugh Green (1977–80), Marshall Goldberg (1936–38), John Majors (1954–56, as a player at Tennessee), Dan Marino (1979–82), Mark May (1977–80), Herb McCracken (1918–20), George McLaren (1915–18), Robert Peck (1913–16), Joe Schmidt (1950–52), Joe Skladany (1931–33), Herb Stein (1918–21), Dr. John B. Sutherland (1914–17 [player], 1924–38 [coach]), Joseph Thompson (1904–06 [player], 1908–12 [coach]), Hube Wagner (1910–13), and Glenn "Pop" Warner (1915–23, coach).

Former Pitt Panthers star wide receiver Tyler Boyd received a great honor, as Clairton High School renamed their football stadium after him.

Boyd does a number of work throughout the Clairton community, which is a city in the Monongahela River valley, about 14 miles south of Pitt's campus.

Some of the work Boyd does includes starting a basketball league for the kids in the Clairton community that sends the all-starts to Florida. His mother also helps a great deal, as they both run a youth little league and do whatever they can to give back and keep kids engaged in and outside of school.

Boyd had an incredible four seasons with the Clairton Bears from 2009-12, holding a 63-1 record and winning four straight WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A Titles.

He held the record for most touchdowns in WPIAL history with 117 and was fifth all-time with 5,755 rushing yards when he graduated. 

Boyd would win all 63 games for Clairton consecutively and the 66 game winning streak, which continued after he graduated, was the longest in the country. 

He played in the Big 33 Classic in 2013, where he scored five touchdowns, including two receiving and one each passing, kick return and rushing in the 58-27 blowout win over Maryland. He also played in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. 

One of his best high school performances came in the 2010 PIAA 1A Class Championship. Clairton faced a 24-0 deficit, but Boyd would lead the way, posting a 100+ yards receiving and two touchdowns in the 36-30 comeback victory 

Boyd would choose to play collegiate football at Pitt and excelled in his three seasons there from 2013-15. His 254 catches and 3,361 receiving yards in his career rank as the most for a Pitt player in program history. He also has 21 receiving touchdowns, tied for sixth most in a Pitt career.

His 1,261 receiving yards in 2014 and his 1,174 receiving yards in 2013 rank fifth and sixth most in a season for a Pitt player, repectively, while his 91 receptions in 2015, 85 receptions in 2014 and 78 receptions in 2013 rank fourth, fifth and sixth most in a single season for the program.

he Cincinnati Bengals took Boyd in the Second Round of the 2016 NFL Draft and he would make 513 catches for 6,000 yards and 31 receiving touchdowns in eight seasons for them, along with a Super Bowl appearance.

He signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, where he is currently heading into Week 3 with the team. 

Source: Pitt Panthers

The Steelers have always valued stability when it comes to leadership, and that was evident today when the team signed Coach Mike Tomlin to a three-year contract extension.

The extension will keep Tomlin with the team through at least the 2027 season.

"Mike Tomlin's leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach," said Steelers President Art Rooney II. "Extending his contract for three more years reflects our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships, while continuing our tradition of success."

Tomlin, who was hired in 2007, will enter his 18th season with the team in 2024 and is only the third Steelers head coach since the 1969 season, joining Hall of Famers Chuck Noll (1969-91) and Bill Cowher (1992-2006) during that time frame.

"I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh," said Tomlin. "We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong – sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise's seventh Lombardi Trophy.

"I am very excited to get the 2024 season underway and provide our fans with a memorable year."

Tomlin has been a stabilizing force for the Steelers, now the longest-tenured coach in the NFL with the same team as he enters the 18th season.

Tomlin found success from the time he arrived in Pittsburgh.

He became the youngest head coach in NFL history to both coach in and win a Super Bowl when the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, in Super Bowl XLIII, and at the time Tomlin was 36 years, 323 days old. That record stood until Sean McVay led the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl in LVI.

In 17 seasons Tomlin led the Steelers to seven AFC North titles, most recently in 2020, 11 playoff berths, most recently in 2023, and two Super Bowl (XLIII and XLV) appearances.
Tomlin has a 173-100-2 (.633) regular season record. The 173 regular season wins are second most among active NFL head coaches and he has led his teams to victories in at least five home games in 16 of his first 17 seasons.

During his long tenure with the Steelers, Tomlin's teams have never had a losing record, the only head coach in NFL history to begin a head coaching tenure with at least 17 consecutive non-losing seasons. That is the third-longest streak of .500-or-better seasons by a head coach in NFL history.

Tomlin, who is a member of the NFL's Competition Committee since 2013, has also seen his players have individual success, with nearly 80 selections to the NFL Pro Bowl.

Source: Steelers.com

 EXPLOSIVE, RELENTLESS and INSPIRING Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams Defensive tackle proudly represents Pittsburgh on and off the field, PUM Contributor Isaiah Beckham caught up with Donald as a participant at his annual football camp.  

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald comes home to Pittsburgh to host a free, youth football skills camp for athletes ages 6 to 18 at his alma mater, Penn Hills High School. Donald, AD99 Solutions, and 2 Tenths Speed & Agility Training presented the Living in the Pocket Youth Football Skills Camp for close to 150 athletes held on June 26th. Donald, who also played for the University of Pittsburgh is recognized as a unanimous All-American and was drafted by the Rams with the 13th pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. 

Eager Athletes from all over the country participated in the camp and best of all we had the opportunity to meet and learn some valuable football techniques on the field with the legendary NFL superstar. 

Donald is currently rated as the best player in the NFL and I would agree with RAMSWIRE.com he is a serious force to be reckoned with:  “Donald doesn’t play a premier position for the Rams, but he’s established himself as the best defensive tackle in the NFL and the most dominant player at any position. You earn that title by winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards, earning six All-Pro selections and setting the NFL record for the most sacks in a season by a defensive tackle (20.5). At the age of 30, he’s shown no signs of slowing down, either. He’s coming off a season in which he had 13.5 sacks and 28 QB hits, winning Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. And as a result, Pro Football Focus continues to view him as the best player in football.”

For a student athlete striving to make it to the NFL, this was truly a privilege to be in Donald’s presence and better yet, to take a photo and get his autograph well that is a keepsake memory to be cherished.  Meeting Donald, I was a little nervous but his personality is very laid-back and he is super chilled. I watched as he patiently greeted each camp participant with kindness and sincerity.   

THE CAMP EXPERIENCE:  WHAT THE WORKOUT CONSISTED FOR ME   

For over three hours in the extremely humid 88 degree weather we worked our butts off while having a blast. We started off with warmups and stretching to get our body’s ready for the intense work ahead of us. Then we all separated into various groups to go through some tough agility drills. I did pretty well on the agility drills because as a running back you have to have quick feet, something I have been working on all summer. Once the agility work was complete,  we focused on defensive back drills which was a great experience for me because guarding someone closely one on one is essential in football. We worked on pass drops and shifting our speed at the correct time to learn to get the interceptions. There was one rep where I jumped up and caught the ball with one hand and that seemed to get everyone around me hyped up. My Shady Side Academy football team mate, Deacon Durham and I were on fire, and many of the coaches continued to challenge us with harder drills. 

While participating in the camps, I usually like to start off on offense drills but decided to switch it up and get on defense and I did not hold back because this was a great time to show off your skills. Once the ball was snapped, I was as physical as I could be and barely let the player off the line and once we got to start his route I was right there with him and I grabbed the ball out of the air for an interception. That had to be my best DB play, I am finally getting a feel for how you properly guard someone, thanks to camps like this one and my  SSA football summer training. I then proceeded to run six more routes against the players and I dominated each one. I focused on two key people to run against because everyone else seemed to be no competition.  Near the end of the camp we went back out to run some more 1v1s and this is where it got interesting and competitive. Everyone crowded to one spot to watch five players including Deacon and myself go against each other in more 1v1s. Once it was my turn to run on the first route I was jammed at the line by a player and couldn’t even get off to run my route. I was caught off guard, but I didn't just give up there, I told everyone to run it back so I could redeem myself and that’s exactly what I did. I exploded off the line and dusted the DB then I turned around and the ball floated in the air, it wasn’t really a good pass but I didn’t give up, I hunted the ball down and got the completion. Don’t give up, the play is still in action, I learned to trust myself.  (Check out the play on my twitter account: https://twitter.com/ReignBeckham

At the end of the camp, well known Pittsburgh King of football training,  Dwayne Brown (aka D. Brown) owner of  2 Tenths Speed & Agility Training, who trains Donald, offered the best advice to camp participants. “You did an excellent job today, you got to keep moving and keep improving, that’s the most important, you need to have good grades, listen to your coaches and parents. You need to know how to take direction. A lot of you guys who have some talent but you need to learn how to take directions or you are not going anywhere.”  

I loved this football camp experience and it was one of the best I attended so far this summer.  I would definitely recommend this camp to future athletes who want to improve their football skills and techniques. At the end of the day, what made this experience extra special was the legend himself, Aaron Donald who truly demonstrates on and off the field that he has the Heart of a Champion. Not only does he provide this free camp, but he also holds an Annual Prep Forward Program for male African American high school student-athletes to be able to receive access to the organization’s tuition-free academic, athletic, and life skills programming. This tuition-free educational program is offered to African American student-athletes, ages 13-18, throughout Allegheny County.

For me, the most important lesson I learned from one of the greatest NFL players, our Pittsburgh hometown hero, Aaron Donald, “don’t talk about it, be about it.”

Isaiah Beckham 

Isaiah Reign Beckham

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReignBeckham

Over 400 athletes from around the country showed up to attend The University of Pittsburgh’s Rising Star Camp 1, held June 6th at the UPMC Sports Complex, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

From Compton, California to New York City, the athletes sporting their new gear, with their game day faces intact, stepped into the facility prepared to showcase their talent.  

As a rising sophomore at Shady Side Academy, who signed up in the running back category, this was going to be my first football camp experience, and I really had no idea what to expect, but I felt I was in shape and ready to enjoy the day. The venue was held where the Steelers train and to be able to practice in this magnificent facility was a dream come true. Just knowing the Pittsburgh Steelers new running back Najee Harris' was just practicing on the field, made the venue extra special especially for someone like me who would love to play for the Steelers. Having the Pitt Panthers host this sold out event, you can especially appreciate the fact they have nine championships and to be able to interact one on one with the Pitt coaches was worth the sixty bucks for the camp.  

The high school athletes understood this was a great opportunity to show off their skills to the college coaches who came to watch, teach and elevate our game. For some of the athletes this just might be the last chance to get noticed, so its serious business to impress the coaches. 

We first broke off to participate in a combine which consisted of the 40 yard dash, broad jump, and line runs. These are the basic skills you need to work on, because the coaches are keeping stats on these particular skills. This felt like the American Idol competition of football, you really just don’t know what exactly coaches are looking for in a high school athlete especially at these camps. I am told, they perhaps have already identified some of the athletes they are interested in, and of course always looking for new talent.   

In the running back category, there were about thirty athletes who joined me for our drills. Decked out in my shiny new all black helmet (which got really hot) one of our coaches proceeded to teach us how to get off of tackles when using a stiff arm more effectively and also how to have quicker feet when making cuts and spins. The Pitt coaches were willing to help us improve our game, they were very encouraging in their training details. I really enjoyed most the 1v1s (player vs player) because I was able to show off my skills and also get direct coaching that can help in an in-game situation. This was an opportunity where the coaches and players can watch you closer instead of a large group of players. 

I learned while attending this camp, it’s not all about the brawn, you have to get your brain focused while in High School. The resounding message from the coaches is the fact that academics does matter, you need to keep your GPA up as high as you can (prefer over 3.5) because that will help you get noticed by more college recruits. When it comes to your overall effort, that is where you need to have the heart of a champion, you need to give 100 percent effort in your preparation to play football. You need to get faster in your running game, build a stronger body through weights, keep your body healthy by always hydrating and eating healthy meals. You need to also improve your agility by setting up cones or an agility ladder and just going through simple footwork drills. It is the small stuff that counts and if you focus every day on one aspect of your body then you will see the biggest change when you step onto the field, your game will ultimately improve. 

Overall this camp experience was worth going to because it showed me new ways of improving my techniques as an athlete and as a student. If you dream of attending a D-1 college like Pitt, this camp provides athletes exposure to their coaches, other talented players and more importantly you have a better idea of what colleges are looking for in future players. 

This camp was the real deal, no one was sugar coating the process, if you even get looked at from college recruiters it’s going to take that extra effort work ethic on and off the field. Character matters, researching schools matter, having your social media highlight tape current and available for busy coaches to review is also important.   

At the end of the camp day, after experiencing six hours going through training drills in 88 degree weather, I was exhausted, hungry and even more encouraged to pursue football because of the Pitt camp experience. Just keeping it 100, the talent is fierce, but I will encourage you to participate in the Pitt camp in the future or any upcoming football camps because it truly opens your eyes up to the dedication and determination you need to get recruited by colleges. When you walk away from the camp experience hopefully you feel like I did that you love the game of football even more.  

Who could have prepared my football teammates and I at Shady Side Academy for the summer of 2020, for me, it is going down in history as one of the most unpredictable, frustrating, upside down you turn me seasons I have ever encountered. Of course, this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic scare which hit our team with such a great force like a lineman tackling a quarterback without much protection. 

Let me backup, it was Spring, March 2020 to be exact, and as an eighth grader, I was anxiously trying to get out of middle school, when COVID-19 reared its ugly head. Students were forced out of our daily school routines and rushed into an online learning experience to be located at home for about three months without much notice or preparation. The online experience was confusing and a little strange in the beginning, it did not feel normal to not be around my classmates, but once I got my ZOOM skills down, I persevered.  Needless to say, I missed connecting with my friends and my teachers in person, its hard to recreate the excitement and action that takes place in a classroom, for me it is an important part of the overall learning experience. During my online instruction in the spring, my mom was always looking over my shoulder while I sat at the kitchen table and my dogs were enjoying biting my toes during my endless ZOOMS, but still online learning could not take the place of being at Shady Side Academy for a regular school day with my classmates and teachers.     

Like many people surviving the pandemic here in the United States and around the world we believed by summer COVID-19 would be a thing of the past, this horrific historic disaster, would be brief and just like that life would soon be back to normal, at least by summer, right? Not.  Unfortunately, here we are in the middle of August and the virus still has deadly tentacles that continues to spread ferociously, touching everyone’s lives in unpredictable and sadly harmful ways even for us athletes who dream of playing football. I was excited about participating in summer football camp at SSA that kicked off in June. I envisioned my life as a football player taking off especially since this is the first time I would be practicing on a High School team. I was relieved when football practice for the summer was not cancelled, however while the powers that be sorted out our football destiny, we had a few moments of interruption and uncertainty. When we got the green light to continue practice through the summer most of my teammates and I were relieved and we understood we would have to practice differently under COVID-19, no doubt this would not be your regular football season.    

Your football game strategy and techniques needs to be on point especially with COVID-19 looming over the field,  social distancing with my passionate teammates who are eager to run a cool play and throw a football is a new challenge. You better keep your stride and forget about the fact that we had to wait four long weeks before we could even touch a football. On the long hot 90 degree days, you better make sure you have your own water jug, no sharing sips and stories around the big Gatorade cooler, remember to stand 6-feet apart (this is always on your mind.) Don’t forget your plays and get into formation, run the ball, COVID-19 rules, they exist, they are real and required.  

While COVID-19 has tried to take away everything good this summer, I’m thankful that our team, one of the few in the region is still able to practice and come together. While the politics continue over whether or not we will have a season, I still enjoy my football practice even with the extra safety precautions and the major changes required and necessary. As part of the precautions, every morning our temperature is taken and we are asked questions regarding our travel activities. My teammates diligently wear our masks for most of our practice and we place our items in a small hoop, making sure not to contaminate anything. Overall, everyone is working hard at following the social distancing rules because we understand the importance of why we have the guidelines in the first place is to help keep us safe and alive.   

My favorite part of every practice is when we go to lift weights, in smaller groups, with masks secured, my teammates and I turn up the music and focus on our goals of winning. Moments like this help me escape the harsh reality of COVID-19 and I am thankful that our football camp was not canceled. I appreciate the camaraderie of the players and how important it is for my mental and physical growth overall. I realize so many other players in other school districts have already canceled their football seasons and fall athletics, and I understand the difficult decisions that many people have to make because of COVID-19. These are tough decisions for families, school administrators, coaches, lawmakers, and the athletes but in the face of adversity we are all learning important lessons about life and how precious these moments are sometimes we have to run the most difficult plays to get to the end zone.         

My coach, Chuck DiNardo at Shady Side Academy emphasizes during practice to work hard at everything that you do, and when you show up for practice be ready to do your best. He also tells us to  thank our parents and others who are making sacrifices for us to be able to practice, and more importantly we should not take them for granted especially during this deadly pandemic.  

TO BE OR NOT TO BE, indeed, this is the question that sums up our football season-- whether or not we will have a season come fall is still up in the air and a heated political hot potato, I am not sure who really wins in the end. While the politics about the season continues to be sorted out, I can appreciate that everyone on my football team still comes to work hard every practice and we all have respect for each other, our coaches, and our equipment and stadium. More importantly, our team focuses on respect and trust the most. Coach DiNardo, aka “Coach D” says that he wants to be able to trust us to keep working hard even when we are tired. We are tired of this pandemic, but our spirits are not broken by the desire to continue to play a game that means so much to us young athletes.    

As our social distancing rules continues, for me football is still a great escape from this pandemic, sincere props go out to Coach DiNardo, Coach Charles Calabrese “Breezy,” Coach Dave Havern, Coach Josh Frechette, and Coach Alex Bellinotti for their dedication and leadership throughout the summer practice. Indeed, I am a better player because of their relentless commitment and support through this highly unusual, unpredictable but need I say, worthwhile summer of football. Whether we play football or not will continue to be debated, I hope those marking the decisions understand most of us athletes still care about what actions take place. What resonates with me during these turbulent times, is our SSA football chant after each practice where my teammates and I come together to shout loud and proud: “Family on 3.  1. 2. 3. Family.” Family is what matters the most and sometimes it comes in the form of a football team, and sometimes in a family we learn crucial life long lessons during difficult situations like this dreadful pandemic, these are the moments that you need to be strong, stay focused and keep grinding!    

Isaiah Beckham, PUM Contributor 

August 17, 2020