It’s a story you’ve certainly heard before but one, for me, that never gets old. There’s no organization like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley has a great article about three free agents from this past year and their experience in Pittsburgh. Ladarius Green, Ryan Harris and Steven Johnson had nothing but high praise for the way the organization functions.
“It’s a lot different,” Green said. “Every game you expect to be in it. You expect to win every game…That is what makes it so different. They expect the best out of you every time. I love everything about it.”
Green’s season was marred with injury but he made a big impact when he played. He went over 100 yards in a crucial win against the New York Giants and backed that up with a 72 yard performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, including a catch that would secure the win but unfortunately, end his season.
Harris was signed in the offseason from the Denver Broncos, where he had just come off a Super Bowl victory, and has spent time with three other teams. So he is speaking from plenty of experience. He didn’t get to play much for the Steelers, suffering a hematoma that he told Varley was a “scary injury” and shelved him on IR in October.
He defined the difference between one team to the Steelers – the ownership’s presence.
“It’s amazing to see the Rooney family multiple times a day or a week. The fact that Mr. (Dan) Rooney knows my name is incredible, especially being a fan of the game for so long.”
Johnson spoke similarly.
“They are going to put you in the best position to win championships. Being a part of the Steelers Nation, it’s one of a kind.”
He suffered a similar end to the season, breaking his ankle after getting rolled up on at the end of a kickoff. He’s set to be a free agent, currently holding an unknown fate of his Steelers’ future. He played 101 special team snaps this season.
Be sure to check out Varley’s entire article over on Steelers.com for several more fantastic quotes from those three. Makes you proud to be a Steelers’ fan.
