The Steelers we’re most in love with right now (and why)
It’s Valentine’s Day Steelers Nation and love is in the air!
Now, I know all of yinz love your football. You love your Steelers too. But which of those Steelers is the one you love the most?
A panel of our SCU contributors got together and discussed which current member of the team they love the most. (Some of these answers, are, well you’ll see!)
Brian E. Roach
Right now it’s Ben Roethlisberger. For no better reason than this: last season at this time we had “retirement” drama. This year, we don’t.
The Steelers quarterback structure is intact, and all the people who will (still) be clamoring for the Steelers to draft a QB early simply don’t have a narrative to work with this season. So I’m in love with Ben for making this a QB drama free offseason.
Joe Kuzma
I get excited about a lot of Steelers, and even as a grown man, it’s very difficult for me to say I don’t get have a crush on Vance McDonald.
Traded by the 49ers to the Steelers last offseason, I instantly fell in love with the idea of a quick, multi-talented tight end for Ben Roethlisberger to zing passes to. I miss Heath Miller and Ladarius Green let me down, but Vance has a chance (catchy huh?) to be someone special.
I know injuries dragged him down some (he missed six games in 2017) but if his first-ever career postseason game is an indication of his upside (10 receptions, 112 yards) Mr. McDonald could have a very bright future ahead of him.
Tina Rivers
I’m not afraid to admit that most of the team (most) earns my adoration. I’ve had a love for the Steelers since I was five, and while I moved on from my first crush at that age (Terry Bradshaw) – some obvious reasons – there are two players that win my heart because they have big ones themselves: Cam Heyward and Vince Williams.
You may be saying, “What about the offense?” Well, I love them too, just in different ways.
Heyward has always been a personable player with fans and the community and his Heyward House charity work is hard not to love.
As for Vince? He once told me publicly that the defense did have any dances or “pump up” moves, that they just naturally got the energy to the right level. Then I witnessed locker room moves, singing, dancing to music and we all saw several celebrations you could call dancing right on the field. I call him out because I know he has joy in his heart and is a joker but has real love for his brothers on the team. It makes me love him more. Team dynamics mean a lot. And I know Vince or “Bince” has moves he’s not going to admit to on a video chat.
Eric Herrmann
This is easy, my Valentine this year is Mike Hilton.
Words cannot describe the feeling in my heart when I see Hilton flying in the backfield towards a quarterback. It’s easy and fun to root for an underdog, but not often do you get a story like Hiltons. He came out of nowhere and not only secured a starting spot on the roster but a huge need for the team.
I can’t even remember the last time a Steelers cornerback made me excited like Mike Hilton, and he’s just getting started. It’s a classic love story, a tale as old as time.
I love you, Mike.
Terry Fletcher
My Valentine is Alejandro Villanueva. He makes me not only happy to be a Steelers fan but to be part of this country.
From his stance on standing for the Anthem, to also apologizing for appearances of being in front of his team, to helping JuJu get his driver’s license, I have never seen a more humble player who always has his “brother’s” backs and who has served his country and team so respectably.
Alejandro is not a social media guy like my other favorites, but Big Al protects our QB, plays with heart, understands what it means to have integrity. He reported and practiced at training camp without a contract, trusting that loyalty would be rewarded (and it was).
The left tackle made his first Pro Bowl this year, not just because he’s a good player but because he is a good person and role model for the NFL and its fans.
He has my heart forever.
Zach Metkler
David DeCastro is my Valentine this year. As a lover of all things offensive line, there aren’t many that can do what DeCastro can do up front. He has been a large part of why Ben Roethlisberger has stayed off of the ground and why Le’Veon Bell has elite success on the ground.
He epitomizes everything any team (but particularly the Steelers) wants in an offensive lineman: smart, strong, athletic, and gritty.
Guard is never a sexy position in the NFL, but ask any team with issues with their interior. They would give anything to have a player like DeCastro. I’m just thankful he plays for the good guys.
Noah Freeman
I’m going with Ben Roethlisberger as well.
This shows you how young I am, but Ben has really only been the only quarterback I have ever seen the Steelers with. When I was a kid, Ben took over when I was just starting to really understand football and be able to watch it consistently (with my grandfather). We’ve seen him win two Super Bowls, and he will be the main reason (if it happens) that the Steelers win a 7th in the next couple of years.
Ben and I even share the same birthday (which is coming up, by the way, happy early birthday Ben).
We are going to miss him in a few years because it is so hard to find a starting quarterback, let alone a franchise QB that will get to, and win, multiple Super Bowls.
Zachary Celedonia
Juju Smith-Schuster: be my Valentine. (That’s right, not Martavis Bryant!)
I picked JuJu over Martavis because I feel like he genuinely loves me back. Juju opened his heart to Pittsburgh and it’s natives unlike any rookie in any sport I have ever seen. Not only did JuJu capture my heart, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy watching him play the game. (Unless you’re a Bengals fan for some strange reason.)
Most importantly, his attitude towards life and positivity is admirable and inspiring. If you’re having a bad day or someone says something mean to you, take a step back and ask WWJJD: What would JuJu do?
From the fanbase to the other professional sports franchises in Pittsburgh, everybody loves JuJu.
But I love him the most.
Reed Harmon
I have to go with Ryan Shazier as my Valentine. Over the last few seasons, he has grown on me as hardworking and passionate he is. His story with alopecia and how he got through it as a kid via bullying and standing out from other kids is something everyone should look at.
And of course now with his health, you can only hope he can come back to full strength. I could care less if he played football again, I just want him to be able to play with his family again.
I have everything Shazier. Jerseys, shirts, sweatshirts. He is an inspiration to me… and the Steeler I’m most in love with right now.
