The Steelers face the tough task of rebounding from last week’s 39-30 loss to the Seahawks as well as keeping themselves in consideration for a playoff spot.
While the Steelers are working towards facing the Colts we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Friday, Dec. 4th.
Old friends
When the Steelers and Colts face each other on Sunday night there will be a reunion of childhood friends on the field. Teresa Varley tells us that Steelers receiver Antonio Brown grew up with Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton in the Liberty City area of Miami, FL. Hilton spoke about how they’ve kept in touch through their careers.
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"“Our relationship is remarkable. We always stay in touch. We always talk about going out there and putting on a show. We look forward to this week. I told him to have his nachos and cheese ready with extra cheese. I told him I will be ready; make sure you are ready as well.” – T.Y. Hilton"
Antonio Brown always brings the extra cheese.
Listen to the doctors, man
The NFL has been all about Ben Roethlisberger’s concussion situation in last week’s 39-30 loss to Seattle, mostly because it’s a clear change of culture for a star player to actually self-report concussion symptoms. What has gotten lost has been linebacker Ryan Shazier’s concussion.
Shazier was hit in the middle of the second quarter on a play that included helmet-to-helmet contact as well as Shazier’s helmet hitting the ground. The spotter in the press booth noticed the hit and signaled for the training staff that included the NFL’s co-chair of the head, neck and spine committee, Richard Ellenbogen.
As Peter King describes in his MMQB, the Steelers physicians and Ellenbogen both agreed immediately to take Shazier’s helmet and give him a more thorough exam in the locker room in spite of Shazier’s insistence that he was fine. Even Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had to jump in and say, “You will listen to these doctors, and you’ll do it now.”
It’s all up to the player
Steelers linebacker James Harrison weighed in on the discussion about players self-reporting concussion symptoms as opposed to insisting they’re fine to get back in the game. Harrison explained to the PPG that the reality is it depends on the player and their status on the team whether or not they’ll be honest with the doctors.
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A player who is fighting for a roster spot like Harrison had to so many times early in his career is less likely to report a head injury than a player who knows his job is safe even if he’s taken off of the field for a series or a game.
"“If your willingness to go out there and do what you want to do for what you’re going to get paid is worth it to you, then you’re going to do it. If not, or you’re worried about your longevity, your long-term health, then you’re probably going to report it. It’s all up to the individual.” – James Harrison"
It’s a big risk to sacrifice your future, for your potential future.