The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent cornerback, Steven Nelson, this offseason. Why he draws his inspiration from a former teammate.
The Steelers don’t start training camp until July 26th, but it is never too early for a question and answer session. Pittsburgh’s new free agent signing did exactly that.
In a recent interview with Teresa Varley of Steelers.com, the new Pittsburgh cornerback took answering a number of questions – some football related and some about life. When he was asked who his football mentor or inspiration was, Nelson had this to say:
"I would have to say Eric Berry. I played with him for a couple of years. Everything he has been through, the adversity and stuff. It’s an inspiration. He is a good guy to learn from."
Steven Nelson played with the All-Pro safety from 2015 to 2018. While Berry suited up for every game in 2015 and 2016, he played in just 3 games over the next two seasons.
Eric Berry has faced both cancer and bizarre physical limitations like Haglund’s deformity throughout his NFL career. Few players have had to go through more, and Steven Nelson has come to appreciate everything he has fought through.
Steven Nelson will be joining another cancer survivor in Pittsburgh with James Conner. Conner was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and missed nearly his entire junior season in college. It was uncertain if the running back would make a return to football.
Despite facing similar adversity to Berry, Conner came back as strong as ever and became a Pro Bowl running back for the Steelers.
Steven Nelson is the highest paid free agent signing the Steelers have made in their storied history, and expectations are high for the former Chiefs defensive back. Having both Eric Berry and James Conner on his team gives him all the motivation he could ask for.