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The Steelers completed a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, acquiring a third-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2027, while the team sent receiver George Pickens and a sixth-round pick in 2027 to Dallas.

Pickens was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 52nd overall pick out of the University of Georgia.

In three seasons, Pickens appeared in 48 games, starting 40. He had 174 receptions for 2,841 yards, a 16.3-yard average, and 12 touchdowns.

The Steelers acquired receiver DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers will send the Seahawks their second round pick (52nd overall) and seventh round pick (223rd overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, and receive the Seahawks sixth-round pick (185th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. Metcalf also signed a new five-year contract with the team.

Metcalf was drafted by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent the last six seasons in Seattle.

In those six seasons, he has appeared in 97 games, starting 93 of them, and has 438 receptions for 6,324 yards, a 14.4-yard average, and 48 touchdowns, which rank eighth-most among active players in the NFL. He has three touchdowns longer than 70 yards, including a career long 84-yard touchdown. 

"I'm a physical receiver," said Metcalf. "Big shout-out to my pops (Terrence Metcalf) who was an O-lineman in this league for a little bit, so he instilled that in me, and I just try to play the game a different way, and just God blessed me with the talents and with this opportunity, so I'm not going to take it for granted.

Metcalf has 15 100-yard games, including one against the Steelers in 2023, and a career-high 177 yards receiving against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. He also has two 100-yard receiving games in the postseason. He also has three 1,000-yard seasons and has 13 catches of 50 yards or more in his career, which ranks seventh among active receivers..

Metcalf was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection in 2020 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and 2023. 

For Metcalf, coming to the Steelers is the perfect scenario. 

"I felt ecstatic just to hear about the Steelers because I thought the meeting me and Coach (Mike) Tomlin had at the 2019 Combine," said Metcalf. "He just always spoke volumes into me and spoke of my play style in college, and just being in the league and going up to him before or after a game, he kept that same rapport with me, and it just felt like the right decision for me."

In 2024, Metcalf appeared in 15 games, starting 12 of them. He had 66 receptions for 992 yards, a 15-yard average, and five touchdowns.

Metcalf became one of only two players in NFL history, along with Hall of Famer Randy Moss, with 50 receptions, 900 yards and five touchdowns in each of their first six seasons. He also became the first player in Seahawks history with three consecutive 100-yard games, doing so in Weeks 2-4.

He ranks first in Seahawks' history with receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in his first six seasons and is fourth on the franchise's all-time receiving list.

Metcalf had his third 1,000-yard season in 2023 when he started 16 games, pulling in 66 receptions for 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns, including a 73-yard touchdown, which was Seattle's longest play from scrimmage for the season. His 1,114 yards made him the seventh player in Seahawks history with back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons.

He set a single-season career-high in 2022 when he had 90 receptions, which were fourth-most in Seahawks history. He also turned in his second 1,000-yard season, pulling in 90 receptions for 1,048 yards and six touchdowns.

Metcalf led the Seahawks with 75 receptions in 2021, while adding a team-high 12 touchdowns, which ranked fourth in the NFL and were tied for third-most in a single-season for the Seahawks. He had a career-long 84-yard touchdown against New Orleans, the third-longest reception in team history.

In 2020, Metcalf posted his first 1,000-yard season when he had 83 receptions for a career-high 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns, while being named second-team AP All-Pro and being selected to the Pro Bowl. The 1,303 receiving yards were a team record, passing Steve Largent who held the previous record of 1,287 yards.

It didn't take Metcalf long to make an impact, with 58 receptions for 900 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. His 58 receptions were second among all NFL rookie receivers, while his 900 receiving yards were third. Both the receptions and yardage numbers were second all-time in Seahawks' single-season history by a rookie.

Metcalf played college football at Ole Miss, where he started 19 of 21 games played before leaving after his redshirt sophomore year. He had 67 receptions for 1,228 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Source: Steelers.com

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts was voted the winner of the Pete Rozelle Trophy awarded to the Super Bowl LIX Most Valuable Player.

Hurts completed 17 of 22 attempts (77.3 percent) for 221 yards and two touchdowns with a 119.7 rating and added 72 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground in the Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Chiefs, the most rushing yards by a quarterback ever in a Super Bowl. It marks the 34th time that a quarterback has been named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.

Hurts became the fifth quarterback ever with multiple touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in a Super Bowl, joining Ken Anderson (Super Bowl XVI), Pro Football Hall of Famers Brett Favre (Super Bowl XXXI) and Joe Montana (Super Bowl XIX) and Patrick Mahomes (Super Bowl LIV).

Hurts, who had 304 passing yards and 70 rushing yards in Super Bowl LVII, is the first quarterback ever with at least 200 passing yards and 50 rushing yards in multiple Super Bowls. He also became the third quarterback with a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown in multiple Super Bowls, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers John Elway (Super Bowls XXI and XXXIII) and Joe Montana (Super Bowls XVI and XIX).

The award is chosen by a panel comprised of 16 media members – broadcast partner analysts, media from New Orleans, Kansas City, and Philadelphia, Pro Football Writers of America-appointed pool reporters that have attended team practice sessions during Super Bowl week, past Pro Football Writers of America presidents, at-large members of the national media – and fans interactively through the National Football League’s official website, NFL.com.

A highly challenging schedule that features eight bowl teams, including a visit from College Football Playoff runner-up Notre Dame, awaits the Pitt football team in 2025.

The ACC Network unveiled the Panthers' full 12-game schedule during a live telecast Monday evening. The slate features eight ACC games, intriguing non-conference opponents and seven home contests.

The schedule's home highlights:

• The historic series with Notre Dame returns to Pittsburgh on Nov. 15. The Fighting Irish finished No. 2 in both major polls following their run to the CFP title game.
   
• The Panthers welcome four ACC opponents that each advanced to bowls in 2024: Louisville (Sept. 27), Boston College (Oct. 4), NC State (Oct. 25) and Miami (Nov. 29).
   
• As previously announced, Pitt will open the season against Duquesne (Aug. 30), the first football game between the neighboring universities since 1939. The Panthers also host Central Michigan of the Mid-American Conference on Sept. 6.

The 108th renewal of the "Backyard Brawl" against West Virginia will take place in Morgantown on Sept. 13.

The ACC road schedule is comprised of trips to Florida State (Oct. 11), Syracuse (Oct. 18), Stanford (Nov. 1) and Georgia Tech(Nov. 22).

Pitt will again be the beneficiary of two open weeks due to the 2025 calendar and an earlier Labor Day (Sept. 1). The Panthers will be off on Sept. 20 and Nov. 8.

Pitt football season-ticket pricing remains family friendly. Packages begin at $230 and offer flexible payment plans. Season-ticket holders are afforded an array of benefits, including priority on additional single-game home and away ticket requests as well as postseason games.

For pricing, seating maps, season-ticket holder benefits and more, click here or call (800) 643-7488. Inquiries may also be made via email (tickets@athletics.pitt.edu).

The Panthers conclude spring drills with the annual Blue-Gold Spring Game presented by MAC.BID at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, April 12. Additional spring game details will be forthcoming.

The Panthers' complete 2025 football schedule:

Aug. 30: Duquesne         

The Panthers and Dukes meet on the gridiron for the first time since Oct. 21, 1939. Duquesne finished as co-champions of the Northeast Conference last year.

Sept. 6: Central Michigan                                          

This will be the first meeting between Pitt and Central Michigan. Matt Drinkall makes his Chippewas head coaching debut following six years at Army under Jeff Monken. 

Sept. 13: at West Virginia

Pitt scored 14 points in the final 3:06 to upend the rival Mountaineers, 38-34, in Acrisure last year. Rich Rodriguez, who led West Virginia from 2001-07, returns to Morgantown as head coach.

Sept. 27: Louisville*

The Cardinals defeated Washington, 35-34, in the Sun Bowl to finish 9-4. Coach Jeff Brohm has won 19 games in two seasons at his alma mater.

Oct. 4: Boston College* 

The Eagles went 7-6 and advanced to the Pinstripe Bowl in Coach Bill O'Brien's debut season on Chestnut Hill.

Oct. 11: at Florida State*             

The Panthers return to Tallahassee for the first time since their 41-17 demolition of the Seminoles in 2020. 

Oct. 18: at Syracuse*     

Pitt returned three interceptions for touchdowns in a 41-13 win over Syracuse last year. The Orange rallied to win 10 games, including a 52-35 Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State. 

Oct. 25: NC State*           

The Panthers and Wolfpack clash for the first time since 2020. Coach Dave Doeren has led NC State to 10 bowls in 12 seasons.

Nov. 1: at Stanford*

Pitt plays a regular-season road game at Stanford for the first time since 1922. This will be the Panthers' first football game in California since the 1971 opener at UCLA. 

Nov. 15: Notre Dame

Notre Dame won a program-record 14 games en route to the CFP National Championship Game under Coach Marcus Freeman. The Irish last visited Pittsburgh in 2020 under pandemic crowd restrictions. 

Nov. 22: at Georgia Tech*

The Yellow Jackets have advanced to consecutive bowls for the first time since 2013-14. The Panthers have won four of the past five against the Ramblin' Wreck. 

Nov. 29: Miami*

The Hurricanes return to Pitt's conference slate following a two-season absence. The Panthers won the last encounter, 42-16, at Hard Rock Stadium in 2022. 

Dec. 6: ACC Football Championship Game (Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.)

Since 2011, only three teams have won an ACC Football Championship: Clemson, Florida State and Pitt.

*ACC game

Times and television networks will be announced at a later date.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cory Trice Jr. has been selected as the club's 2024 Ed Block Courage Award recipient.

"It's special to win something like this," said Trice. "But going through what I did wasn't as bad as what most people on the outside think and what it looked like to them. I was just so focused the whole time on making sure when I came back, I was going to make plays and show them that I belong."

Trice Jr. has overcome injuries time and time again throughout his collegiate and professional career. During his time at Purdue, Trice saw three of five seasons cut short due to lower body injuries. Trice still managed 106 tackles, five interceptions and two touchdowns as a Boilermaker before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

As a rookie, Trice again found himself battling injury, as he tore his ACL during his first Training Camp in Latrobe. He returned in 2024 and recorded two tackles, one pass breakup and an athletic interception in the endzone of the Steelers Week 2 game at Denver before exiting their home opener against the L.A. Chargers with a hamstring injury.

Since 1984, the Ed Block Courage Award annually honors one player from every NFL team who exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by a vote of their teammates to recognize both on- and off-the-field extra efforts along with their ability to overcome great adversity, whether it be personal or professional. The award is named in honor of Ed Block, the long-time head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts.

Source: Steelers.com

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 signed defensive tackle Cameron Heyward to a new three-year contract.

Heyward, who is entering his 14th season with the Steelers, made it clear that he wants to finish his career in the black and gold.

"There are certain guys who are one-helmet guys," said Heyward. "I want to be one of those one-helmet guys."

Heyward has been a mainstay for the Steelers defense, a captain for 10 consecutive seasons. He is a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time Associated Press First Team All-Pro selection.He has appeared in 194 career games, with 159 starts, and has started every game he has played in since the 2014 season. His 194 games played put him in seventh place on the Steelers all-time list, and he could move into fourth place in 2024.

Heyward is tied with James Harrison for second place in team history with 80.5 career sacks, behind only linebacker T.J. Watt, who has 96.5 career sacks. His 80.5 career sacks are the most by a Steelers' defensive lineman since 1982 and ninth-most by a defensive tackle in NFL history.

For his career, Heyward has 647 tackles, 404 of them solo stops, 118 tackles for a loss, 175 quarterback hurries, 47 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Last year Heyward appeared in 11 games while dealing with a groin injury, recording 33 tackles, 25 of them solo stops, six tackles for a loss, two sacks and one pass defense.

What Heyward brings on the field is matched by what he does off the field. He was selected as the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards in the entire league.

"We all start being great players, but we understand to be a great player is just not enough," said Heyward. "The community needs us. When I first got here, I had guys like Brett (Keisel), Aaron (Smith), who took me under their wing and showed me. Having that opportunity, I just want to provide my teammates with that. They aren't going to follow the same lane I might, but they need the opportunity to give back.

"I know a lot falls on my shoulders, but it was falling on my shoulders before this. The work continues. But we don't shy away from it. We know there are a lot of people that need our help. I want to be doing that. If pressure intensifies, I have to grow from it."

He joined a list of former Steelers who won the award, which includes Hall of Famers Joe Greene, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann and Jerome Bettis. In addition, new teammate Russell Wilson also is a former winner of the award.

"It's unbelievable," said Heyward. "You look at guys like Joe Greene, Lynn Swann, Jerome Bettis and Franco. I feel honored to be among that group. I almost don't feel worthy of it. Those guys did so much for the community and held the standard. It's just unbelievable to be a part of it."

One of the main projects Heyward has undertaken the last two years is 'Cam's Kindness Week,' where he sets out on daily missions to make a difference in a multiple of ways, most of them last year about being a support system for today's youth, whether that was through visits to The Caring Place where he met with grieving children, or 'Craig's Closet,' his pet project named to honor his late dad, Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward.

"Cam's Kindness Week the last two years was something I talked to people about and we wanted to have a concentrated effort," said Heyward, who was born in Pittsburgh. "We knew it would require a lot of energy. But we were able to do some special things. It's the initiatives we care about, the youth we care about.

"It's my hometown, it's my birthplace. It's something my dad built before I was born. It's his legacy. The City of Pittsburgh is always near and dear to my heart."

The Steelers Hall of Honor is the ultimate recognition for those who have made immeasurable contributions to the organization, whether it be on the field, or off the field.

On Saturday, the newest additions to the group were welcomed into the fold when the Hall of Honor Class of 2024 was announced during a ceremony at Saint Vincent College as a part of the Steelers 'Back Together Weekend' celebration.

The Hall of Honor Class of 2024 includes four individuals who were part of Super Bowl teams for the Steelers, with three of them part of the same championship team. Linebacker Jason Gildon, nose tackle Casey Hampton, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and running back Willie Parker highlight a class that brought plenty of glory to the black and gold.

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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

The Steelers signed free agent quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year contract.

Wilson, who will be entering his 13th NFL season, spent the last two years with the Denver Broncos following a trade from the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson spent the first 10 years of his career with the Seahawks after they drafted him in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

"Super grateful to be here, obviously to be a Pittsburgh Steeler," said Wilson during his introductory press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "It's a great tradition. To be able to compete and be able to go to work with these guys every single day is the gift of this game. Enjoying the process of it all. 

"The reason I wanted to come here is because I wanted to win championships with Coach (Mike) Tomlin and the guys in the locker room. We got some amazing players, guys like Cam Heyward, a guy who has been (Walter Payton) Man of the Year, a guy who has impacted so many. Got to talk to him for a little while during this process.  And then obviously Mr. T.J. Watt himself. Really should be defensive player, I don't know how many times, maybe third, fourth time could have won it. Just tremendous athlete, player, competitor.  

"Guys like Minkah (Fitzpatrick), George Pickens, and just so many other great players along the way. Got to see some guys like (Pat) Freiermuth and (Isaac) Seumalo in there. Great place to be.  

"Grateful for the opportunity to be able to get after it and do what we came here to do, and that's to win football games."

Wilson said he went through a full process before deciding to sign with the Steelers, which began with a zoom call and ended with him in black and gold. 

"When have the opportunity to be a free agent and go through that process, and when Denver allowed me to speak to teams and go through that process -- this is the first time I've ever gone through that process," said Wilson. "It kind of feels like you're at the Combine all over again in a way. Kind of going through the interview process with people and getting to meet people. 

"I think that there is a few things that just jumped off the board about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Number one, I got to play here. Played in Seattle in CenturyLink in 2015. Great game back and forth. It was just a battle all the way down to the wire. 

"I just remember the players that they had and just the competitors that we had at that time, and now it's just -- and then coming here in 2018 playing here, just the atmosphere, walking into the stadium, just the energy. 

"I remember the towels, Renegade, the whole thing. I remember the game coming down to the fourth quarter. Why I love this game because it's the greatest team sport there is. What winning looks like, it's all 22 pieces, and then you add the special teams as well, so really 33 plus more. All the people in the background you don't get to see. 

"When I got to talk to Cam Heyward, talked for an hour on FaceTime, and just it was a cool experience of a guy that has been at the top of his game for so long and also a man who has made a difference in community, a guy who has made a difference not just in Pittsburgh but around the country in all the things he's done. He solidified himself as one of the best players in the game. 

"I think also after that, the next day, next morning I got to talk it (General Manager) Omar (Khan), got to talk to Coach Tomlin on Zoom. It was supposed to be a 15-20 minute conversation, and next thing you know it's an hour and a half later. 

"I think that winning is a habit. Coach knows what those habits are like. That's what really fires me up. Omar, obviously he's done an amazing job of bringing this team together, and obviously our goal was to acquire some other great players.

"I was fortunate to have several teams call and all that, but this is the place I wanted to be, be a Pittsburgh Steeler and to wear the black and gold. It's a true honor, tradition, history. There's six trophies in there and we got to go get a seventh." 

In 12 seasons, Wilson has played in 188 games, starting all of them. He has led his teams to 116 regular season wins since 2012, ranking him first among active quarterbacks. He has completed 3,668 of 5,665 passes for 43,653 yards and 334 touchdowns. Wilson has started 16 postseason games, completing 275 of 451 passes for 3,786 yards with 25 touchdowns.

His 43,653 passing yards rank 19th on the all-time NFL list, one of only four active quarterbacks in the top 20. His 334 touchdowns rank 13th on the NFL's all-time touchdown list, and he reached 300 passing touchdowns in 168 games, seventh all-time. He also ranks second all-time, behind only Peyton Manning, for most touchdown passes in his first 12 seasons.

In addition, Wilson has 981 career rushes for 5,307 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also has five receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown. He is the only quarterback in the NFL to throw for 40,000 plus yards and rush for 5,000 plus yards for his career. His 5,307 rushing yards rank third among quarterbacks in NFL history.

Wilson has thrown for at least two touchdowns in a single game 103 times, placing him in third place all-time in that category behind Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady (who are tied at 108). He is tied for fourth all-time with Matthew Stafford for most games with three or more touchdowns, 46 games, since 2012.

The last two seasons with the Broncos Wilson started 30 games, completing 589 passes for 6,594 yards and 42 touchdowns. With two 3,000 plus yard seasons while in Denver, Wilson has thrown for at least 3,000 yards in all 12 of his NFL seasons.

During his time in Seattle, Wilson guided the Seahawks to eight playoff appearances, two Super Bowl berths, including a win in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection (2012-15, 2017-21), a second team Associated Press All-Pro selection (2019) and a former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recipient (2020). Wilson also received the Bart Starr Award in 2022, which honors a player for his outstanding character, integrity and leadership on and off the field.

Facts and Figures:

Posted career highs in completions (384), completion percentage (68.8), and touchdowns in 2020 and a career-high 4,219 passing yards in 2016.

Threw a career-low five interceptions in 2019.

When he led the Seahawks to a win in Super Bowl XLVIII, he became the third-youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the Super Bowl, leading Seattle to a 43-8 win over Denver.

In his first season, Wilson tied Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for most touchdown passes by a rookie with 26. Wilson also became the first rookie in NFL history to lead his team to an undefeated home record.

 For High School football recruits interested in securing a college spot on the roster, the experience can often times feel like you are in an episode of the Game of Thrones. Keeping it real, with the transfer portal, a method that allows NCAA college athletes to transfer from one school to another, the chance to play at a top college is a battle. In the portal, college coaches can see what athletes are ready to transfer, it can be a real dog fight to land a spot at one of your selected schools. Talented high school players will have to  compete against top- notch college athletes.  Basically, "D. UP" for a fierce and unpredictable fight to get on a team. You are going to have to be the fittest, smartest and maybe even a little lucky. It's really not personal, the coaches have the tough job of recruiting, retaining, and winning. Start over again. RECRUIT, RETAIN, & WIN! 

We caught up with Carnegie Mellon University Defensive Backs coach, K. K. Rountree who breaks the game of recruiting down in the day of the transfer portal era. Coach Rountree makes a very important point, "Go where you are appreciated and not tolerated. College football is hard and it is not for everyone." If you are interested in playing on the Tartans team for Carnegie Mellon University, ranked one of the  Best Colleges Nationally, Coach Rountree has some good advice, you got to bring your "A" game, ( Academics + Talent ) coaches want to see your very best as a student athlete. A gladiator on the football field and a wizard in the classroom. 

The Carnegie Mellon University football team had 21 players receive All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) distinction, announced by the conference office following voting by the league coaches. The Tartans placed six on the first team, five on the second team and nine were named honorable mention and one was honored to the sportsmanship team. The team also finished the season with a record of 10 wins to 1 lost. Let's find out from Coach Rountree why he is very excited about the upcoming season and what he is looking for in an athlete. 

Bio

KK Rountree will enter his first season on the Carnegie Mellon staff in 2023 and will be coaching the defensive backs.

Rountree comes to Carnegie Mellon after serving as an analyst for the special teams at the University of Connecticut for four seasons. While on the Huskies staff, he created scouting reports, handle daily practice plans, and broke down film. In 2022, UConn finished in the top ten of the FBS in blocked kicks.

Prior to his stop at UConn, Rountree worked at Stonehill College in 2018 as a secondary coach, working with the safeties and cornerbacks. From 2014-18, he was a varsity special teams coordinator and safeties coach for Pope John XXIII Regional High School.

Rountree is a 2012 graduate of Wilkes University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting before receiving his master's degree of business administration from Wilkes in 2013. The Central Islip, New York native played safety and outside linebacker while at Wilkes earning academic all-conference three times.

One on One with Coach Rountree:

How has the college football transfer portal changed the way high school seniors are being recruited?

Coach Rountree: The Portal has sped the entire recruiting process up for high school seniors. As a senior, you had time to go on visits in December and January to help make college decisions. Nowadays with the portal, some of the December & January visits are with more College Transfers than High School Seniors.

What advice would you share with recruits interested in playing football at CMU, as well as the process of getting into the school?

Coach Rountree: Advice to a recruit that has interest in Carnegie Mellon would be to take AP Calculus and AP Physics. Carnegie Mellon is a S.T.E.M. heavy school, so a lot of our majors will require you to have these courses taken before applying. The ability to have AP Calculus and AP Physics will open more doors in terms of choosing a major. Carnegie Mellon has other options in English, History, Philosophy, etc., for students that do not have AP Calculus and AP Physics.

When it comes to securing a spot on the team, what are you and your coaching team looking for in a player? What sets them apart from others?

Coach Rountree: Our staff is looking for players that can help us win football games and are determined to be great in the classroom. Carnegie Mellon is unique, in the sense you can find elite academics and play for a Top 25 Division 3 program.

CMU is one of the hardest schools to get into academically, what formula does it take for a player to successfully secure a spot on your team.

Coach Rountree: In my short time at Carnegie Mellon, I have realized that we are unique from an admissions standpoint. We have 7 Academic schools that have different requirements to become admitted. There is no specific formula to be admitted. There are tools that can help a student with admissions. As I mentioned before, having AP Calculus and AP Physics will open more opportunities for majors. Secondly, Carnegie Mellon will still have options for students that have not taken AP Calculus and AP Physics. At the end of the day, a rigorous schedule with a blend of AP classes can help with the admissions process.

High school prospects are competing for scholarships with experienced college players who entered the portal, is it best they go to a smaller college and try to work their way up to a more competitive football program?

Coach Rountree:  I recently heard a statement that really stuck with me. Go where you are appreciated and not tolerated. College football is hard and it is not for everyone. Go to a school where you can play football and choose your major. There will always be opportunities to move up levels in college football. Larger schools have recruiting departments that search through all levels of the portal.  In order to move up divisions, coaches want to see game film of you playing at a high level. 

What inspires you as a coach and what does the upcoming season look like for CMU?

Coach Rountree: As a coach I am inspired to see young men come into college at 18 years.  Then the next 4 years you watch them transform into a man. You help these young men see the man they can and will become. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing former players become great husbands, fathers and men in society. There are a lot of reasons why I coach, but the development of young men is the largest reason. 

The season for Carnegie Mellon is bright, I believe we have a shot to win the PAC Conference and potentially go to the NCAA National Playoffs. Those are goals of Carnegie Mellon but the staff and players know it will not be easy. The PAC Conference is a really good conference with tremendous teams. We are very excited for the upcoming season.

The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) is excited to introduce the WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which features 14 inductees across seven different categories. The 17th annual WPIAL Hall of Fame class was announced to the public on Wednesday morning in a press conference at the Senator John Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

Out of the 14 inductees, five are listed in the Athlete category, three in Coach, two in Team, and one each in Official, Contributor, Heritage, and Courage. The full class is listed below, as well as a brief overview on each inductee’s career.
 

WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Tyler Boyd (Athlete) – Helped lead Clairton to a 63-1 record and four WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A championships from 2009 to 2012 … Held the WPIAL record in touchdowns (117) and ranked fifth in WPIAL history in rushing yards (5,755) after graduation … Rushed for 2,584 yards and accounted for 51 total touchdowns as a senior … Selected to play in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Earned Big 33 Classic MVP honors after scoring five touchdowns (91-yard kick return, 68-yard pass, four-yard run, 16-yard catch, five-yard catch) … Lettered in basketball and baseball at Clairton, and played in the WPIAL Championship Game in basketball as a senior … Played football collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh, finishing as a three-time All-ACC selection with school records in receptions (254) and receiving yards (3,361) … Picked in the 2nd round (55th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and currently is in his eighth season with the team
 

Jim Chacko (Official) – Served as a WPIAL official for football, basketball, and baseball … Umpired pro baseball for a few seasons in the Gulf Coast League and MLB spring training … Officiated for ABC’s “Superstars” show, which featured top athletes competing in events that were not their own … Well-rounded athlete at Charleroi, lettering in baseball, basketball, football, and track & field … Won a WPIAL championship in basketball as a junior … Named to the All-State and All-America First Team as a senior in 1959 … Scored 1,188 career points at Charleroi … Played baseball collegiately at Long Beach State University … Inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Mon Valley Sports Writers Hall of Fame in 1997
 

Ron Faust (Coach) – Finished his 36-year career with a record of 653-241, spending two different stints at his alma mater Washington as the boys’ basketball head coach (1981-2010, 2014-2022) … Guided Washington to 22 section championships, four WPIAL titles (1984, 1985, 1986, 1990), and two PIAA Class 2A championships (1984, 1986) … Posted a perfect 6-0 record in WPIAL and PIAA Championship Games … Led the Little Prexies to 52 consecutive wins from 1984 to 1985 … Named Dapper Dan Basketball Coach of the Year twice and the Pennsylvania Class 2A Coach of the Year in 1984 … Graduated from the California University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and was a four-year letterwinner in baseball … Inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2002
 

Jordan Geist (Athlete) – Captured six WPIAL and six PIAA gold medals, completing three-peats in shot put and discus … Owns the WPIAL championship meet records in shot put (73-10.75) and discus (208-07.00), and boasts the PIAA championship meet standards in shot put (74-03.50) and discus (207-06.00) … Won a national title at the 2017 New Balance Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw with a toss of 238-00.00, which was the third best mark in U.S. high school history … Took home gold in shot put at the 2017 Pan American Under-20 Championships with a record toss of 72-03.00, and at the TSTCA Indoor Championships … Named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in track & field for 2017 … Competed collegiately at the University of Arizona, earning 11 All-America honors and two Academic All-America First Team nods … Swept the NCAA shot put titles in 2023 for outdoor and indoor track & field
 

Simmie Hill (Heritage) – Starred for the 1964-65 Midland boys’ basketball team, which won the WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A titles and was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2009 … Named to the Parade All-America First Team in 1965 after scoring 652 points, including a record 38 points in the WPIAL Championship Game against Aliquippa and 31 points in the PIAA Championship Game versus Steelton-Highspire … Scored 1,327 points over his career at Midland … Played collegiately at Wichita State University, Cameron Junior College, and West Texas A&M University … Garnered All-America honors at Cameron and West Texas A&M, joining LSU’s Pete Maravich and UCLA’s Lew Alcindor on the list as a senior … Picked in the 2nd round (16th overall) of the 1969 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls … Played four seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) … Inducted into numerous Hall of Fames, including Beaver County Sports (1986), West Texas A&M Athletics (1988), Midland Sports (2010), Cameron Athletics (2011), and the Pittsburgh Basketball Club (2018)
 

Heather Lewis (Courage) – Battled breast cancer for 10 months from 2021-22 … Serves as the athletic director at Seneca Valley since 2012, and is the school’s first female athletic director … Named 2022 PSADA Region IV Athletic Director of the Year … Elected to the WPIAL Board of Directors prior to the 2019-20 school year … Spent time as an associate athletic director and the head coach of the field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs at Bucknell University … Worked with U.S. Olympic Committee ahead of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics … Graduated from the University of Maryland, earning All-Region plaudits for the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams, and winning an NCAA title in the latter
 

George Rudolph (Coach) – Coached for 50 seasons at Oakland Catholic and Sacred Heart, starting the cross country and track & field teams in the fall of 1973 … Led his teams to 15 conference titles, three WPIAL individual cross country gold medals, 16 WPIAL individual track & field titles, and a pair of WPIAL cross country team championships (2016, 2017) … Earned the Tri-State Track & Field Coaches’ Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 … Served as the athletic director at Sacred Heart and Oakland Catholic, and the president of the Pittsburgh Softball Association for Umpires … Taught social studies for 47 years
 

Robert Schilken (Athlete) – Three-year starter for Mt. Lebanon football, helping lead the team to WPIAL Class 4A championships in 1980 and 1981 … Garnered Parade All-America, Associated Press All-State First Team, and United Press International All-State Second Team accolades in 1981 … Played football collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh from 1982 to 1985, winning three letters while competing in the 1983 Cotton Bowl and 1984 Fiesta Bowl … Received the Blue-Gold Award for Academic Achievement and an NCAA scholarship for post-graduate studies as a senior at Pitt … Currently is a team physician for the Pittsburgh Pirates and surgeon with Allegheny Orthopedic Associates

Nicole Sleith Schaffer (Athlete) – Posted a 62-10 record with 989 strikeouts, 0.57 earned run average, and a .463 batting average, and tossed 13 no-hitters over her career with Yough softball … Helped lead the Cougars to the 2011 WPIAL Class 3A title, the school’s first in any sport … Became the second student and first female student-athlete to have uniform jersey retired at Yough … Garnered three All-State honors and was the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Player of the Year in 2011 … Competed collegiately for the Robert Morris University softball team and was named to the RMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022 … Won three NEC Pitcher of the Year awards, three NFCA All-Region nods, and was the 2012 NEC Rookie of the Year … Currently works as the director of player development for Duke University’s softball team
 

Beth Swink (Athlete) – Three-sport letterwinner (basketball, softball, cross country) at Connellsville, garnering All-Section accolades in basketball and softball … Scored 1,500 career points for the Falcons basketball team and helped lead it to the PIAA playoffs … Compiled 27 victories, 324 strikeouts, and 11 shutouts in two seasons as a pitcher for the Connellsville softball team, also leading it to the PIAA postseason … Named a WPIAL James Collins Scholar-Athlete in 2001 and donated the money back to the  softball program … Played basketball collegiately at Saint Francis University, accumulating 2,127 points and 957 rebounds while making four straight NCAA Tournaments … Collected two Academic All-America honors and was named to the NEC 25th Anniversary Team in 2006 … Played professional basketball in Sweden for two seasons … Inducted into the NEC Hall of Fame in 2011, SFU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015, and Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018
 

Bob Trautwine (Contributor) – Long-time member of the cross country and track & field steering committee … Compiled 110-56 record as East Allegheny track & field coach, winning 28 consecutive dual meets from 1973 to 1976 and seven Keystone Conference championships … Coached five WPIAL Class 3A individual champions and 29 PIAA qualifiers … Served as East Allegheny athletic director from 1989 to 1999 … Held roles on the WPIAL Board of Directors, as president of the WPIAL Athletic Directors Association, and as a WPIAL playoff game manager in football, soccer, basketball, and track & field … Received the John & Michael Ferrante Memorial Award for promoting sports and student-athletes in 2004, and the Tri-State Track & Field Coaches’ Association Lifetime Achievement Award
 

Mike Zmijanac (Coach) – Only coach in Pennsylvania high school history to win state titles in football and basketball … Spent 48 seasons coaching football and 24 as a head coach, compiling a 240-59 record … Guided Aliquippa football to six WPIAL championships (2000, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015) and the 2003 PIAA Class 2A title … Became first coach in WPIAL history to take team to 10 consecutive WPIAL Championship Games … Helped lead Aliquippa to an additional four WPIAL golds as a defensive coordinator … Registered a 166-43 record in seven seasons as the Aliquippa boys’ basketball coach, winning three WPIAL titles (1998, 2000, 2003) and the 1997 PIAA Class 2A championship … Inducted into the Minor Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015, Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016, and Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 … Taught creative writing and American literature for 39 years at Aliquippa
 

1989 Peters Township Boys’ Soccer (Team) – Finished the season with a 23-2-2 record, successfully defending its 1988 Class 2A championships at the WPIAL and PIAA level … Allowed just 19 goals over the entire campaign, posting 15 shutouts … Blanked each of its postseason opponents, outscoring them 23-0 over the course of the WPIAL and PIAA tournaments … Defeated Quaker Valley, 1-0, in the WPIAL Championship Game … Topped Perry Traditional Academy (5-0), Fairview (2-0), and Quaker Valley (3-0) in PIAA playoffs before drawing with Great Valley (0-0) in final … Boasted an All-State selection in Kevin Shaeffer
 

2011-12 Canon-McMillan Boys’ Wrestling (Team) – Captured the WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A team championships with a 26-0 dual meet record … Garnered four WPIAL individual championships (Connor Schram at 120, Solomon Chishko at 138, Cody Wiercioch at 170, Cody Kiempay at 285), one PIAA gold medalist (Wiercioch), and eight PIAA place winners … Boasted 14 wrestlers with 20 or more wins, eight with 30 or more wins, and five with 40 or more wins … Topped North Allegheny, 53-12, for WPIAL team crown … Defeated McDowell, 35-20, to win the PIAA team championship … Saw numerous student-athletes go on to wrestle collegiately at the NCAA Division I level at programs such as Cal Poly, Clarion, Cornell, Lehigh, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Virginia Tech

The WPIAL Hall of Fame was organized as a means of recognizing, preserving, and promoting the heritage of interscholastic sports in Western Pennsylvania. Many individuals have made extraordinary contributions and have achieved superb accomplishments in high school sports. The WPIAL Hall of Fame honors the contributions and accomplishments of these individuals who are worthy of recognition as examples for others to emulate.

The annual WPIAL Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held on Friday, May 31 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Greentree (500 Mansfield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205).
 

One of the most breathtaking wide receivers in football history, Larry Fitzgerald's catches at Pitt were described by Sports Illustrated as "mini-dramas in themselves, air ballets played out in full pads."

Fitzgerald's dramatic flair—as well as his phenomenal statistical production—earned him election to the College Football Hall of Fame 2024 Class, the National Football Foundation announced today.

Selected in his first year of eligibility, Fitzgerald becomes the 25th man associated with Pitt elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

"Larry Fitzgerald's career at Pitt was absolutely unforgettable," Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi said. "It's not just the big plays he made, those gigantic catches, but it was the incredible class he displayed on and off the field. Personally, I will never forget him handing the ball to the officials after every touchdown. Pure class. Everyone at Pitt is so proud of Larry and offers their congratulations on his election to the College Football Hall of Fame."

Despite playing only two collegiate seasons (2002-03), Fitzgerald left an indelible mark on Pitt and college football. In just 26 career games, he totaled 161 catches for 2,677 yards (16.6 avg.) and a Pitt-record 34 receiving touchdowns.

Fitzgerald caught a touchdown in an amazing 18 consecutive games to set an NCAA record. In total, he set or tied four NCAA marks, eight Big East Conference records and 11 Pitt marks.

In 2003, he was a virtually unstoppable offensive weapon, compiling 92 catches for 1,672 yards (18.2 avg.) and 22 touchdowns. Facing double and even triple coverage each week, Fitzgerald still led the nation in receiving yards per game (128.62 avg.) and TD catches.

Fitzgerald was named the 2003 Walter Camp Player of the Year, becoming the first sophomore to earn that prestigious honor, and won the Biletnikoff Award as the country's top receiver. He was unanimously selected a first team All-American.

Fitzgerald was the 2003 Heisman Trophy runner-up, finishing just 128 points behind Oklahoma quarterback Jason White. Fitzgerald carried three voting regions, an unprecedented achievement for a sophomore. It was the highest Heisman finish by a wide receiver since Michigan's Desmond Howard won the award in 1991.

In announcing his intention to enter the NFL Draft on February 9, 2004, Fitzgerald said, "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. 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."

The third overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald went on to a spectacular 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals. He was voted to 11 Pro Bowls, the most in Cardinals franchise history and the most by a former Pitt player.

Fitzgerald finished his career ranking second in NFL annals in receiving yards (17,492) and receptions (1,432). He was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team, which recognized the best players of the first 100 years of the league.

In 2016, he received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which honors a player's commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as his excellence on the field

Fitzgerald founded The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation in honor of his mother, Carol Fitzgerald, who passed away from breast cancer in 2003. The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation works to provide equitable access and new pathways to success for youth and honors his mother's legacy by supporting women and men affected by breast cancer in communities that have been historically underserved.

Through the foundation, Fitzgerald continues to expand his philanthropic endeavors as he fosters relationships with corporate partners committed to advancement in the areas of education and technology by donating significant resources and digital devices to schools and programs in Arizona, Minnesota and across the country.

Beyond the foundation's core mission of breast cancer awareness and youth education, Fitzgerald's philanthropic initiatives range in size and scope, from economic development projects in Senegal and Ethiopia, to delivering hearing technology in Africa and Southeast Asia.

The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on December 10 at Bellagio Resort & Casino. They will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2024 season, and subsequently immortalized at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in Atlanta in 2024.

In addition to Fitzgerald, the Panthers' other College Hall of Famers (with the years they participated at 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), 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).    

"Larry Fitzgerald is a Hall of Famer by any definition, not only for his incredible play on the field but also for his passionate commitment to helping others," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "The University of Pittsburgh is incredibly proud to call Larry a Panther. We look forward to welcoming him back to campus this fall to celebrate this richly deserved honor."

Read more at Pitt Athletics

 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