It did not take long for Pittsburgh Steelers fifth-round pick Yahya Black to become a fan favorite. It’s a welcome surprise, considering the Steelers’ need to infuse promising youth in the defensive line heading into the offseason.
At first, the buzz around Black was just because of his play. At 6-foot-5, 340 pounds, he looked much more agile than expected at rookie mini-camp. Then, at training camp, he started making plays in team drills, and before long, he solidified himself in the defensive line rotation.
While his meteoric rise comes with understandable pressure to perform, especially in Week 1, where he’ll see plenty of snaps with Derrick Harmon out with injury, it also comes with some perks, like a perfectly suited new nickname.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie's big personality (and gut) earn him the perfect nickname
During the preseason, Cam Heyward had Black on his podcast and suggested the rookie from Iowa needed a nickname after showing up to the show shirtless. Keeanu Benton suggested Big Hungry, but Black said it himself when he remarked on his crop-top practice jersey, letting his gut hang out: “Big Sexy”.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin made that one stick this week, calling Black by his new, and appropriate, nickname.
“He’s big sexy,” Austin said Thursday. “He’s a great personality kid, loves ball, engaged, and active. He’s got all the right things. We had him in on a visit, a draft visit, and he was the same guy then that he is now.”
Black was asked about Austin using the nickname and expressed his approval.
#Steelers rookie Yahya Black’s reaction to being nicknamed “Big Sexy” by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/VVmsOcRiVk
— Brendan Howe (@bybrendanhowe) September 5, 2025
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There’s no word if the original Big Sexy, legendary professional wrestler Kevin Nash, will have any issues with it. Something tells me Black could step in the ring, cut a promo, and throw some hands if need be, though. After his rookie season, of course.
Black already showed off his belly rub celebration in the preseason, which only makes the nickname stick better. When he hits it next, he'll have a new number, 94, and the new nickname to go along with it.
He should have plenty of opportunities to hit his celebration in Week 1. The New York Jets are expected to run the ball plenty, so maybe a well-earned tackle for loss will give him the chance to show off as Big Sexy on the big stage.