Brett Keisel Press Conference Transcript Thursday February 3rd Super Bowl XLV
QUOTES FROM PITTSBURGH STEELERS PRESS CONFERENCE
DEFENSIVE END BRETT KEISEL
(on how long he’s been growing his beard) “Well, it’s been going on about eight months now.”
(on his religious beliefs) “I was raised to gain a relationship with God, so it’s just something I’ve always been brought up to do. When you play in the business we play in, a lot of times you can get knocked down. In order to get back up, sometimes you need a little help, and you have to be willing to reach out and get it.”
(on the media attention his beard has gotten this week) “It’s been a lot of fun. Anytime you’re in this position, you know there’s going to be a lot of attention. Obviously here it’s going to get some attention because it’s one of a kind. So it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed putting it out there so people can see it and enjoy it. It’s unique, and so that’s why I think people appreciate it.”
(on if he imagined his beard would get this much attention) “Yeah, I imagined it. As the season went on, I was hoping it would get to this point. We’ve had a great year thus far. I said when I started this thing, ‘As long as we’re winning games, I’m going to let this thing grow.’ It’s been awesome to let it get to this point. I’m kind of dreading after the game and having to part with it, because it’s kind of become a part of me. But we’ll do something fun with it, and I can always grow one back.”
(on his beard) “I think my beard overcomes anyone’s beard. It’s been proven to do that. It’s been selected as the top beard in the league, and that’s something I’m proud of.”
(on what he thinks when he sees pictures of himself) “I’ve seen some pictures. There’s one someone took where my helmet is up, and my mustache is all down. It’s pretty nasty really. But it’s unique, so that’s why I think people appreciate it.”
(on what his teammates think of his beard) “They love it. I can’t walk by a teammate without him saying ‘fear the beard,’ and my coaches and all that. It’s been a lot of fun. I think it’s something that keeps guys relaxed and something they can smile at when they’re walking by.”
(on charities) “Two charities I’ve been involved with in Pittsburgh since my career is the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, which raises money for children who are in situations that they have no control over. They don’t have the money to have school equipment and clothes and backpacks, so money goes to that. Also I’ve been close to several young children that have cystic fibrosis. So both of those charities will be getting a nice chunk of my t-shirt sales and some of when we cut this thing off.”
(on if he will be happy to get rid of his beard) “You know what, I was at one point. At one point through this year I was like, ‘I’m tired of it. I’m tired of chewing on my mustache when I eat. I’m tired of all that.’ But now that I’m here, and it’s so close to the point where it’s going to come off, I’m kind of getting sad because it’s kind of overtaken me. I’m going to miss it when it’s got to go.”
(on being superstitious) “We are a superstitious bunch. You see a lot of guys that got these playoff beards, so we’re definitely superstitious. Hopefully it can create one more victory.”
(on the defensive front playing well without Aaron Smith) “I’m not surprised. When we lost Aaron (Smith) last year and Ziggy (Hood) got an opportunity to play, Nick Easton got an opportunity to play, Chris Hoke, those guys just gained experience with that. When we were put in that situation this year, they understood when they were put in there, they could make plays and hopefully there wouldn’t be a drop-off. Obviously Aaron is a phenomenal player. We miss him. We love him. He’s a great leader for us, but he’s done all those things, as far as leadership, without being on the field with us. It’s big why we’re here.”
(on when he is cutting his beard) “I don’t know quite yet, but it will be within a couple weeks after the Big Dance here.”
(on Ben Roethlisberger’s legacy) “I think Ben cares about winning. I don’t know how much he looks at his legacy or anything like that, but as far as being a winner, I think he really cares about that. He cares about going out on the field and getting wins. He’s done that throughout his career. He stepped in as a rookie and went 15-1. He’s a proven winner. Someone we rely on and someone who is a huge reason why we’re going to our third Super Bowl.”
(on fan reaction to his beard) “Steeler Nation is strong. They’ve accepted the beard. They believe in the beard, and we believe in them.”
