July 26, 2024 • 22 mins
This week, we look back on one of the most important dates in the history of the Steelers in Ireland - the American Bowl, which took place in 1997. Michael is joined by a fantastic guest - Steelers Hall of Famer Dermontti Dawson. Dermontti talks about his time in Ireland, playing in Croke Park - and much more! Steelers Training Camp has started - subscribe to the Irish Steelers Podcast for more news and interviews. You can follow Steelers Ireland on X and Instagram!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hey, folks, welcome into the Irish Theaters podcast. Well, by
the time that you're listening to this, Staters training camp
is back in the Trope at Saint Vincent's College and
especial weekend this weekend because we celebrate the anniversary of
the last time the Pittsburgh Steters played in Dublin in
nineteen ninety seven, in fact against the Chicago Bears July
the twenty seventh, nineteen ninety seven. We will talk about
(00:28):
that in the moment, but today we will talk about that.
But we have a former Pittsburgh Steeler, and that's putting
it likely, a guy that was a sixth time first
Team All Pro, part of the NFL nineteen nineties All
Decade Team, Staters, All Time Team Pro Football Hall of Famer,
among many other accolades. Monty Dawson. Monthy. First off, as
(00:48):
we say in Ireland, welcome, how you do well.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Thank you very much for having me on the show,
and I am doing well.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
It's great to have you on. And just firstly, Monthly,
like we will talk about your time I'm in Ireland. Shortly.
I have tried to bullet point a number of your
accolades there, but can you briefly talk to us just
about your career in Pittsburgh between nineteen eighty eight and
two thousand, then just what that meant to you, Monted.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Well, you know, for me, I mean I was I
was really excited when I got drafted. You know, I
didn't realize I was going to be drafted to the
Steelers because the Giants were looking at me. And you
know when I was drafted and went up for the
mini camp, of course it was in the rain when
we had the rookie mini camp, and of course at
(01:36):
Dukane University. And I drove up there first time being
in Pittsburgh. Drove to Ducane University for Mini camp and
I went down a one way road in the rain,
and so I had a cop stop me, and luckily
I told him who I was and he gave me
a ride to Dukane University. And that was the start
(01:56):
of my career in Pittsburgh. But you know, hey, I
had a great career in Pittsburgh. You know, I started
my rookie year. You know, they had Mike Webster, Tan
jokin Man, I can't remember all the guys that we had,
John Riemstra, you know, so you know my rookie year.
Once I first started a game, I think it was
(02:17):
the fourth game of the season. You know, I really,
I really had a great career, you know, throughout my years.
You know, I made six seven probos and six All
Pro teams, nineteen nineties All Time Team Hall of Honor
(02:37):
inductee for the Steelers, you know. So I had a
story career, and you know, if I could have written
a script myself, I couldn't have written any better, because
you just never know how your career is going to go.
I enjoyed my time in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
It is honestly an honored to job to you because
I know there's so many people both in I guess
the current generation of studters funds in Ireland and beyond,
but also so many people that would have watched you
when they were getting into the game over here. I
know who you are and just how much she means
to this organization and how much the organization means to you.
So thank you very much for those thoughts. You casually
(03:10):
mentioned playing with Mike Webster, another guy who's a Hall
of Famer in your rookie season. What's it like going
in rookie season playing with a guy that Mike is. Yeah,
it's it's c it's crazy to think that, you know,
obviously you're a hall of fame around then you go
in and play with one the first year.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
I know, it's it's intimidating when you first go into
campus a rookie because you got all these veterans there
and you come in as a you know, rookie. So
and then also you know, just seeing Mike. Mike was
in his fifteenth year, my rookie year in eighty eight,
and you know, Mike Man, you talking about a worker.
He was always first in every drill, in practice. He
(03:51):
was first in the weight room. He was the first
in the film room, and that was fifteen years. And
I consider myself coming in early in the morning as well,
but Mike would always be me uh in the weight room.
You know, Mike was a consummant, you know pro And
I learned a lot from Mike uh. And I give
a lot of credit to Mike, and just watching him
hit him him as an example of how to be
(04:14):
a pro and how to get how to conduct yourself.
And so I give Mike a lot of credit for
my career because I wanted to be like Mike. So
you know what's the best way to do that. You
try to emulate what he does and how he does it.
And so you know that's what I did, you know,
each and every year. You know, even if I accomplished,
(04:35):
no matter what I accomplished, you know, I try to,
you know, stay humble and keep on working, because I mean,
you either get better or you get worse. But you
never say to say so. That was Mike. Mike was
constantly working. So I tried to do the same thing
as Mike and uh, you know, follow his direction. It
worked that well, it did. It did.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
One of the one of the things that scans for the
Staters organization is the consistency that the team has had
I'm currently still has with the head coaching position. And
you had the experience of playing under Chuck no and
it's hard to believe he's only a couple of coaches
to go for this team. What was coach?
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Know, like you know Chuck No, I mean he was coach.
Coach was you know? Of course he was a legend.
So I was in odd when I first got there,
and just a whole rooney story. And you know the chief,
I mean, you had all these legendary people and playing
under Chuck No, I got a chance to play four
years under coach Know, and you know, Coach Know, he
(05:38):
was just more. He was more laid back. You know.
He let the assistant coaches do their thing and coaches.
But the only time to coach Know would really raise
his voice at the team was when if we messed
up in practice or guys were kind of dragging or lagging,
and then he would speak up. But other than that
he would let the coaches do their thing and coach
(06:01):
the players. But I mean he was a smart guy.
I mean absolutely, I mean he could talk about anything.
I don't care what subject. He could talk about it.
But it was an honor plan for him. And now
then we roll into ninety two and next thing you know,
we got Bill carocme.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
In, Coach Carr coming in, and we're going to touch
on him in a little second, just in regards of
the game in Dublin and many other different factors. A
gentleman nineteen ninety seven, twenty seven years ago this year,
and yes, the Stators go to Ireland. They fulfill I
guess a wish er, a dream or you know, come
back to where the Rooney family has its roots and
(06:38):
where they're from. When you first find out that you
guys are going to go to the Emerald Doll to Ireland?
What was it? Can you try and remember what that
film is like? Because nowadays, Monty, it's for a lot
of teams, Like I've seen teams come to London over
the last couple of years and have come maybe two
or three times in three or four years, So it's
common now, But at that time, it really was a
(07:02):
real opportunity and it was a real one off for
some people.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, it was, I mean because really the NFL hadn't
explored playing games in Europe at that time, and you
know they started I guess it was called the World Bowl.
I think it was at that time, So you know,
it was an honor for us to be able to
go to Ireland, come to Ireland to play exhibition game,
and because I had never been to Europe before, so
(07:26):
you know, for us it was a special game. You know,
knowing that the heritage from you know, the Rudies and
their family immigrating to the US and the eighteen hundreds,
so there's a lot of history there, so you know,
of course it was a great time, you know for
I guess the NFL to start expanding to Europe and
that fan base.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
We've heard a number of stories from different guys. One
who was actually in Croke Park when the States A
nine sits marketing initiative, Cordel Stewart. He was talking about
playing golf in Ireland and his falln memories. Can you
talk us through about what you what you remember from
that week and just some sort of positive experiences.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Yeah, yeah, you know, just tune around Dublin, you know,
and I think I can't remember the pub, but it's
red and so of course you know, if you go
to Dublin, you got to have a pint. So we
went to the pubs and had a pint pint, you know,
just kind of hanging out and the Cordelle was talking
about the golf we had. We played against the Bears
(08:25):
their players, and I think we won the trophy. We
beat all those guys in golf. But it was great
just being able to travel around Dublin just a history.
I mean, it's just it's just a great place to
uh to go and visit.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Coach Calard told us actually recently I had the opportunity
to very quickly meet him in Vegas for the Super
Bowl and when I asked him about the game in Dublin.
Every time I talked to him about it, he always
brings up the story of mister Rooney looking to win
the trophy for his wife. Can you remember any any
conversation that was had with coaching in the locker room
(09:00):
because funnily it was a preseason game, but this was
really much more in the preseason game because it meant
so much to the.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Team, yes, and the Rooney family, but I didn't you know,
I know it was a water for Crystal trophy that
we did win because I remember him holding it up
in the locker room after the game because admitted much
to him. It meant so much to him as well,
you know when because of the Rooney family in the
history from Ireland. So it was a great win and
(09:29):
it was very exciting for everybody.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
It's pretty cool to look back, and I'm glad that
I wasn't there, But I know, even from speaking to
people this week as I read an article and also
meeting people down through the years monthly, just how much
that really meant to them. Because Ireland, albeit it's so
close to the UK and London, it hasn't had a
game since, just just finally, you know, because of that
(09:52):
as you look back on that almost thirty years later,
you know, you guys, along with the Bears, are really
the only two teams to have played in Crouk Park.
Pretty special, it is.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
It is I mean the history of Croke Park, and
you know, so it was an honor just to be
able to play play on that field, you know, because
that was the first American football game on that turf.
So it was a great experience.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Have you had the chance to come back to Arland since?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
No, I have not. No, you know, I've traveled all
over the world, but I haven't been back to Ireland.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Look, we will welcome you over very soon with welcome arms.
Of course. You talk about coach Kayer there as well
as as coach coach Kaier there for a lot of
your career in Pittsburgh and a guy that the current
generation of NFL vons Mont DC on TV, but a
lot of people nowadays know him for just the legendary
(10:42):
work that he'd done with this team along with the
players like yourselves as well. What was he like in
the locker room?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You know, coach, you know, coach Kawer is totally polar
opposite from coach Know And it could have been because
you know, coach Know was what he played. He coached
for twenty four seasons, I think it was, so he
was at the tail end of his career coaching. Coach
Gower comes in, you know, he's in his thirties, early thirties,
and so he brought a whole new excitement to practice
(11:14):
the game to the players because he would be out
on the field in training camp or practice running sprints
with us. He was all inclusive. He was all in
and he was very enthusiastic every time he was on
the field, and he just made practice, you know, fun
even though you're you know, you're having fun, but you're
still serious at the same time. But he just bought
(11:36):
some excitement to h you know, practice in the facility.
And just the way his personality is, he's just he's
always bubbling most of the time. But you know, coach
Kywer will get in your face too. He didn't treat
everybody the same because you can't do that because you've
got so many different personalities, different personalities that you're dealing with.
So you have to learn how to you know, finagle
(11:57):
all the personalities and still keep them together, you know.
But you know, coach Coach was a great coach to
play for. You know, I got nine years under coach
Cower and four years under, nine years under coach Coawer
and four under Chechno. So but yeah, those those nine
years under coach cowor may were great because we had
(12:19):
some great teams and we had some great seasons.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
You just missed the I guess the international evolution of
the game by not even a decade monthly like Twente
and seven was the first London game, the Dolphins against
the Giants, and there have been games in London at
least every year bar COVID since then. Do you look
back on that and sort of wish to yourself that
you could have maybe taken part in those sort of
games Steeters being in Wembley in the early twenty tens
(12:44):
and how cool is it from I guess a former
players perspective, but also a fans perspective as well to
see games in London, Germany and hopefully maybe Ireland in
the future.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Yeah, yeah, I wish. I wish they'd had more game
international games when I was playing. You know, it's a
great experience for guys, you know, because some guys don't
travel to year Upe or anywhere, so it's the first
time for a lot of players, and you know, for
me it was it was the first time coming to Ireland.
And you know, and I think the NFL as far
as expanding, you know, the fan base. You know, you
(13:16):
have to go to different countries and expose you know,
people to American football, and that's the way, that's the
way the fan base is built.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah, I can imagine it will be awesome to see
you guys just have that opportunity to play in Wembley
and play in different countries and hopefully get a chance
to experience that even just coming over at some point
in the future. The Steelers' roots are now firmly in Ireland,
more so than ever before. They're a team with a
great heritage to this island. We've seen last month, or sorry,
(13:47):
we've seen last year with different watch parties and fun
events taking taking place across the island and many other
things such as just training clinics and ways for the
youth of Ireland to learn football. It's just something that
you'd love to be a part of in the future
and how important for you, is it to get the youth,
for young people of the island of our interested in.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
The Oh yeah, I would. I would love to come
back to Europe, Ireland and uh and be part of
the clinics because I mean, really that's the way you
expand your brand and notoriety for the NFL and the
youth are they are the future and those are the
guys who are going to be the kids or who
are going to be watching the games. So it's very
(14:30):
important to you know, expand you know, just expand your brand,
and so I would love to be a part of that.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Mister Rooney was held in such high acclaim, not just
in the Pittsburgh Stedis organization, but he also served as
the US and bassterd of Ireland not too long after
you retired from the Staters. What was he like. Did
you have much of a chance to get to know
him just in your time in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Oh yeah, mister Runney was always a practice. I mean
he was always on the field. He was never hiding
in the office, you know, mister Ruddy was always ever
present and just just a great guy. And you know,
one of my one of my things that I have
for mister Rudey that I treasure is a replica of
three Rivers Stadium, and mister Rudy signed it for me
(15:17):
and uh, you know, and put an inscription on there
for me. And so I hold that in high regard
and I have that in my office in full display
because he was such a great guy, you know, and uh,
I love him, love him very much, and he would
always spend time and talk with you, and I missed
that absolutely.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
I think. To even see the pictures of him in
Dublin for that game among many other even if his
time as ambassador in Ireland, you can see just how
much the island meant to him as well on the
team on how much it meant to him as well. Look,
let's talk about it about yourself here before we just
get rid of Bill Belichick said that you're one of
(15:56):
the best players that his team has ever played against
the position. When you hear such high pray as from
someone like that, how does that feel?
Speaker 2 (16:06):
I mean, it's kind of you know, crazy, you know,
because I mean you really don't think you think of
yourself as that kind of player, even though you know,
you had a pretty good career and you played played
well consistently. But you know, for Coach Belichick to say that,
you know, I hold him in high regard because he's
he's won so many championships and he's coached a lot
of players. So I don't take it lightly. And it's
(16:29):
an honor for him for me, for him to say
that about me.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
You are obviously part of the franchise is Savage of
Season celebration a few years back, part of the all
time team of that celebration. The team while they have
not retired your number, they have not issued your number
since you retired. That must been an awful lot too,
It really does.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Yeah, you know, and and and you know I was
dedicated to Pittsburgh because you know, doing free agency after
my rookie year and an opportunity to sign a contract
with other teams, but I wanted to be a one
team player and stay with the Steelers. And you know,
I was dedicated to those guys. And I know they
know that, even though I didn't verbally say that, I
(17:14):
don't think, but you know, I wanted to stay and
finish my career in Pittsburgh. And it means a lot
for those guys to have not reissued my number. It's
an honor. It really is.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
I can well imagine and for people listening, especially new
funds of the NFL and American Football. We have a
Pro Football Hall of Famer on this podcast. When you retire, folks,
you have to wait at least five years to enter it.
It's very difficult to get into it. For you, Monty,
what does it mean to be part of the Pro
Football Hall of Fame? And you were one of the
(17:51):
guys I'm saying back in the day night because it's
a change and eye, but you got that knock on
the door from the head of the Hall of Fame.
Was at the moment where you felt like I solidified
your legacy in the game itself? Or for you do
accolades matter or were you always trying to push and
(18:11):
get to that point and just after your.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Career was over, Well, I mean the accolades come, you know,
from just being consistent and you know, doing your job
the way you're supposed to do it and doing it
better than others. Others too, but you know, it does
solidify your whole career. It just kind of wraps it
up in a ball and you have reached the pinnacle
(18:33):
of your career. You know, as far as accolades, being
enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and that
is the ultimate for any football player, you know, and
I am truly honored, and to this day it's still
almost like a dream, you know, when people say, well,
you're in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I really
don't think about it all the time, you know, but
(18:56):
you know, when you put that go jacket on and
you go to the sermonies and Truman ceremonies, it's great
just to see the new class coming in and celebrate
them and their accomplishments. But it is truly the holy grail,
i'd say for football player.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
I know we're twelve years old, but congratulations on that
because I know from speaking to different guys that are
in the Hall of Fame and have any opportunity to
do so of course, just to see what just to
say what it means to them, because I know it
doesn't just mean so much to you, but to your
family also, you know, So congratulations to you and thank
you for everything that you've done four not just staters,
but the game as well. And it would be missing
(19:31):
me if I didn't finish this podcast asking this the
staters have talked about their hope, their desire at some
point in the future, wherever it's five, ten, fifteen years whatever,
to maybe play a game in Ireland. The game it
could be a game in Krok Park. But really, for
the staters, what's changed a month de since you played
in the late nineties In Ireland? We've got Krook Park,
(19:54):
We've also got the Aviva Stadium, and a number of
different stadia are around Ireland, so who knows if it
ever does happen, what stadium they might play. And one
thing is for sure, the Crook Park that you played
in has really changed. I'm not sure if you've seen
it would that be.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
I haven't seen it. I haven't seen Croke Park since
I played.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
One of the stands has been completely changed and it's
all built up now, so it is quite different. Eighty
two thousand people were at a game and at last weekend,
regardless if it was in that stadium or somewhere else.
How awesome would it be to see the staters come
back to Ireland and really fulfill the legacy of the
Ruiney family in a more modern way with the NFL's
(20:38):
Global Markets program.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah, it would be great. It would be great, and
I'm sure the players would enjoy it and love it.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Yeah, who knows. The staters have officially said that they
hope to, you know, explore the idea of playing a
game in Ireland in the future, and who knows where
that might be. A US in Croke Park or if
it was at the Aviva or somewhere else. I think
wherever it is would be very happy and grateful if
it ever took place. Hopefully we will have you over
there if and when it happens, with a cup of
(21:05):
tea or a pint in hand, and got it.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
You got it.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
It's an honor to chat to your monthly twenty seven
years on this weekend from that game in Croke Park.
And I know a lot of people were you were
at that game or watching it. It was on Fox in
the States. I think it was the first ever preseason
game to be that distributed in the United States and
around the world. So it says at itself, I know
(21:30):
the game meant so much to the family, but also
so much to you guys for a lot of you
guys getting out there, so thank you so much for
coming on and not just talking to us about that,
but your time as well in Pittsburgh. Germea maggat, as
we say in Ireland. Thank you very much. I'm going
to chat to you soon.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Thank you all right, thank you for having me on
the show.
Hey, folks, welcome into the Irish Theaters podcast. Well, by
the time that you're listening to this, Staters training camp
is back in the Trope at Saint Vincent's College and
especial weekend this weekend because we celebrate the anniversary of
the last time the Pittsburgh Steters played in Dublin in
nineteen ninety seven, in fact against the Chicago Bears July
the twenty seventh, nineteen ninety seven. We will talk about
(00:28):
that in the moment, but today we will talk about that.
But we have a former Pittsburgh Steeler, and that's putting
it likely, a guy that was a sixth time first
Team All Pro, part of the NFL nineteen nineties All
Decade Team, Staters, All Time Team Pro Football Hall of Famer,
among many other accolades. Monty Dawson. Monthy. First off, as
(00:48):
we say in Ireland, welcome, how you do well.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Thank you very much for having me on the show,
and I am doing well.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
It's great to have you on. And just firstly, Monthly,
like we will talk about your time I'm in Ireland. Shortly.
I have tried to bullet point a number of your
accolades there, but can you briefly talk to us just
about your career in Pittsburgh between nineteen eighty eight and
two thousand, then just what that meant to you, Monted.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Well, you know, for me, I mean I was I
was really excited when I got drafted. You know, I
didn't realize I was going to be drafted to the
Steelers because the Giants were looking at me. And you
know when I was drafted and went up for the
mini camp, of course it was in the rain when
we had the rookie mini camp, and of course at
(01:36):
Dukane University. And I drove up there first time being
in Pittsburgh. Drove to Ducane University for Mini camp and
I went down a one way road in the rain,
and so I had a cop stop me, and luckily
I told him who I was and he gave me
a ride to Dukane University. And that was the start
(01:56):
of my career in Pittsburgh. But you know, hey, I
had a great career in Pittsburgh. You know, I started
my rookie year. You know, they had Mike Webster, Tan
jokin Man, I can't remember all the guys that we had,
John Riemstra, you know, so you know my rookie year.
Once I first started a game, I think it was
(02:17):
the fourth game of the season. You know, I really,
I really had a great career, you know, throughout my years.
You know, I made six seven probos and six All
Pro teams, nineteen nineties All Time Team Hall of Honor
(02:37):
inductee for the Steelers, you know. So I had a
story career, and you know, if I could have written
a script myself, I couldn't have written any better, because
you just never know how your career is going to go.
I enjoyed my time in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
It is honestly an honored to job to you because
I know there's so many people both in I guess
the current generation of studters funds in Ireland and beyond,
but also so many people that would have watched you
when they were getting into the game over here. I
know who you are and just how much she means
to this organization and how much the organization means to you.
So thank you very much for those thoughts. You casually
(03:10):
mentioned playing with Mike Webster, another guy who's a Hall
of Famer in your rookie season. What's it like going
in rookie season playing with a guy that Mike is. Yeah,
it's it's c it's crazy to think that, you know,
obviously you're a hall of fame around then you go
in and play with one the first year.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
I know, it's it's intimidating when you first go into
campus a rookie because you got all these veterans there
and you come in as a you know, rookie. So
and then also you know, just seeing Mike. Mike was
in his fifteenth year, my rookie year in eighty eight,
and you know, Mike Man, you talking about a worker.
He was always first in every drill, in practice. He
(03:51):
was first in the weight room. He was the first
in the film room, and that was fifteen years. And
I consider myself coming in early in the morning as well,
but Mike would always be me uh in the weight room.
You know, Mike was a consummant, you know pro And
I learned a lot from Mike uh. And I give
a lot of credit to Mike, and just watching him
hit him him as an example of how to be
(04:14):
a pro and how to get how to conduct yourself.
And so I give Mike a lot of credit for
my career because I wanted to be like Mike. So
you know what's the best way to do that. You
try to emulate what he does and how he does it.
And so you know that's what I did, you know,
each and every year. You know, even if I accomplished,
(04:35):
no matter what I accomplished, you know, I try to,
you know, stay humble and keep on working, because I mean,
you either get better or you get worse. But you
never say to say so. That was Mike. Mike was
constantly working. So I tried to do the same thing
as Mike and uh, you know, follow his direction. It
worked that well, it did. It did.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
One of the one of the things that scans for the
Staters organization is the consistency that the team has had
I'm currently still has with the head coaching position. And
you had the experience of playing under Chuck no and
it's hard to believe he's only a couple of coaches
to go for this team. What was coach?
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Know, like you know Chuck No, I mean he was coach.
Coach was you know? Of course he was a legend.
So I was in odd when I first got there,
and just a whole rooney story. And you know the chief,
I mean, you had all these legendary people and playing
under Chuck No, I got a chance to play four
years under coach Know, and you know, Coach Know, he
(05:38):
was just more. He was more laid back. You know.
He let the assistant coaches do their thing and coaches.
But the only time to coach Know would really raise
his voice at the team was when if we messed
up in practice or guys were kind of dragging or lagging,
and then he would speak up. But other than that
he would let the coaches do their thing and coach
(06:01):
the players. But I mean he was a smart guy.
I mean absolutely, I mean he could talk about anything.
I don't care what subject. He could talk about it.
But it was an honor plan for him. And now
then we roll into ninety two and next thing you know,
we got Bill carocme.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
In, Coach Carr coming in, and we're going to touch
on him in a little second, just in regards of
the game in Dublin and many other different factors. A
gentleman nineteen ninety seven, twenty seven years ago this year,
and yes, the Stators go to Ireland. They fulfill I
guess a wish er, a dream or you know, come
back to where the Rooney family has its roots and
(06:38):
where they're from. When you first find out that you
guys are going to go to the Emerald Doll to Ireland?
What was it? Can you try and remember what that
film is like? Because nowadays, Monty, it's for a lot
of teams, Like I've seen teams come to London over
the last couple of years and have come maybe two
or three times in three or four years, So it's
common now, But at that time, it really was a
(07:02):
real opportunity and it was a real one off for
some people.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, it was, I mean because really the NFL hadn't
explored playing games in Europe at that time, and you
know they started I guess it was called the World Bowl.
I think it was at that time, So you know,
it was an honor for us to be able to
go to Ireland, come to Ireland to play exhibition game,
and because I had never been to Europe before, so
(07:26):
you know, for us it was a special game. You know,
knowing that the heritage from you know, the Rudies and
their family immigrating to the US and the eighteen hundreds,
so there's a lot of history there, so you know,
of course it was a great time, you know for
I guess the NFL to start expanding to Europe and
that fan base.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
We've heard a number of stories from different guys. One
who was actually in Croke Park when the States A
nine sits marketing initiative, Cordel Stewart. He was talking about
playing golf in Ireland and his falln memories. Can you
talk us through about what you what you remember from
that week and just some sort of positive experiences.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Yeah, yeah, you know, just tune around Dublin, you know,
and I think I can't remember the pub, but it's
red and so of course you know, if you go
to Dublin, you got to have a pint. So we
went to the pubs and had a pint pint, you know,
just kind of hanging out and the Cordelle was talking
about the golf we had. We played against the Bears
(08:25):
their players, and I think we won the trophy. We
beat all those guys in golf. But it was great
just being able to travel around Dublin just a history.
I mean, it's just it's just a great place to
uh to go and visit.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Coach Calard told us actually recently I had the opportunity
to very quickly meet him in Vegas for the Super
Bowl and when I asked him about the game in Dublin.
Every time I talked to him about it, he always
brings up the story of mister Rooney looking to win
the trophy for his wife. Can you remember any any
conversation that was had with coaching in the locker room
(09:00):
because funnily it was a preseason game, but this was
really much more in the preseason game because it meant
so much to the.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Team, yes, and the Rooney family, but I didn't you know,
I know it was a water for Crystal trophy that
we did win because I remember him holding it up
in the locker room after the game because admitted much
to him. It meant so much to him as well,
you know when because of the Rooney family in the
history from Ireland. So it was a great win and
(09:29):
it was very exciting for everybody.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
It's pretty cool to look back, and I'm glad that
I wasn't there, But I know, even from speaking to
people this week as I read an article and also
meeting people down through the years monthly, just how much
that really meant to them. Because Ireland, albeit it's so
close to the UK and London, it hasn't had a
game since, just just finally, you know, because of that
(09:52):
as you look back on that almost thirty years later,
you know, you guys, along with the Bears, are really
the only two teams to have played in Crouk Park.
Pretty special, it is.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
It is I mean the history of Croke Park, and
you know, so it was an honor just to be
able to play play on that field, you know, because
that was the first American football game on that turf.
So it was a great experience.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Have you had the chance to come back to Arland since?
Speaker 2 (10:17):
No, I have not. No, you know, I've traveled all
over the world, but I haven't been back to Ireland.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Look, we will welcome you over very soon with welcome arms.
Of course. You talk about coach Kayer there as well
as as coach coach Kaier there for a lot of
your career in Pittsburgh and a guy that the current
generation of NFL vons Mont DC on TV, but a
lot of people nowadays know him for just the legendary
(10:42):
work that he'd done with this team along with the
players like yourselves as well. What was he like in
the locker room?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
You know, coach, you know, coach Kawer is totally polar
opposite from coach Know And it could have been because
you know, coach Know was what he played. He coached
for twenty four seasons, I think it was, so he
was at the tail end of his career coaching. Coach
Gower comes in, you know, he's in his thirties, early thirties,
and so he brought a whole new excitement to practice
(11:14):
the game to the players because he would be out
on the field in training camp or practice running sprints
with us. He was all inclusive. He was all in
and he was very enthusiastic every time he was on
the field, and he just made practice, you know, fun
even though you're you know, you're having fun, but you're
still serious at the same time. But he just bought
(11:36):
some excitement to h you know, practice in the facility.
And just the way his personality is, he's just he's
always bubbling most of the time. But you know, coach
Kywer will get in your face too. He didn't treat
everybody the same because you can't do that because you've
got so many different personalities, different personalities that you're dealing with.
So you have to learn how to you know, finagle
(11:57):
all the personalities and still keep them together, you know.
But you know, coach Coach was a great coach to
play for. You know, I got nine years under coach
Cower and four years under, nine years under coach Coawer
and four under Chechno. So but yeah, those those nine
years under coach cowor may were great because we had
(12:19):
some great teams and we had some great seasons.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
You just missed the I guess the international evolution of
the game by not even a decade monthly like Twente
and seven was the first London game, the Dolphins against
the Giants, and there have been games in London at
least every year bar COVID since then. Do you look
back on that and sort of wish to yourself that
you could have maybe taken part in those sort of
games Steeters being in Wembley in the early twenty tens
(12:44):
and how cool is it from I guess a former
players perspective, but also a fans perspective as well to
see games in London, Germany and hopefully maybe Ireland in
the future.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Yeah, yeah, I wish. I wish they'd had more game
international games when I was playing. You know, it's a
great experience for guys, you know, because some guys don't
travel to year Upe or anywhere, so it's the first
time for a lot of players, and you know, for
me it was it was the first time coming to Ireland.
And you know, and I think the NFL as far
as expanding, you know, the fan base. You know, you
(13:16):
have to go to different countries and expose you know,
people to American football, and that's the way, that's the
way the fan base is built.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Yeah, I can imagine it will be awesome to see
you guys just have that opportunity to play in Wembley
and play in different countries and hopefully get a chance
to experience that even just coming over at some point
in the future. The Steelers' roots are now firmly in Ireland,
more so than ever before. They're a team with a
great heritage to this island. We've seen last month, or sorry,
(13:47):
we've seen last year with different watch parties and fun
events taking taking place across the island and many other
things such as just training clinics and ways for the
youth of Ireland to learn football. It's just something that
you'd love to be a part of in the future
and how important for you, is it to get the youth,
for young people of the island of our interested in.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
The Oh yeah, I would. I would love to come
back to Europe, Ireland and uh and be part of
the clinics because I mean, really that's the way you
expand your brand and notoriety for the NFL and the
youth are they are the future and those are the
guys who are going to be the kids or who
are going to be watching the games. So it's very
(14:30):
important to you know, expand you know, just expand your brand,
and so I would love to be a part of that.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Mister Rooney was held in such high acclaim, not just
in the Pittsburgh Stedis organization, but he also served as
the US and bassterd of Ireland not too long after
you retired from the Staters. What was he like. Did
you have much of a chance to get to know
him just in your time in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Oh yeah, mister Runney was always a practice. I mean
he was always on the field. He was never hiding
in the office, you know, mister Ruddy was always ever
present and just just a great guy. And you know,
one of my one of my things that I have
for mister Rudey that I treasure is a replica of
three Rivers Stadium, and mister Rudy signed it for me
(15:17):
and uh, you know, and put an inscription on there
for me. And so I hold that in high regard
and I have that in my office in full display
because he was such a great guy, you know, and uh,
I love him, love him very much, and he would
always spend time and talk with you, and I missed
that absolutely.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
I think. To even see the pictures of him in
Dublin for that game among many other even if his
time as ambassador in Ireland, you can see just how
much the island meant to him as well on the
team on how much it meant to him as well. Look,
let's talk about it about yourself here before we just
get rid of Bill Belichick said that you're one of
(15:56):
the best players that his team has ever played against
the position. When you hear such high pray as from
someone like that, how does that feel?
Speaker 2 (16:06):
I mean, it's kind of you know, crazy, you know,
because I mean you really don't think you think of
yourself as that kind of player, even though you know,
you had a pretty good career and you played played
well consistently. But you know, for Coach Belichick to say that,
you know, I hold him in high regard because he's
he's won so many championships and he's coached a lot
of players. So I don't take it lightly. And it's
(16:29):
an honor for him for me, for him to say
that about me.
Speaker 1 (16:33):
You are obviously part of the franchise is Savage of
Season celebration a few years back, part of the all
time team of that celebration. The team while they have
not retired your number, they have not issued your number
since you retired. That must been an awful lot too,
It really does.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Yeah, you know, and and and you know I was
dedicated to Pittsburgh because you know, doing free agency after
my rookie year and an opportunity to sign a contract
with other teams, but I wanted to be a one
team player and stay with the Steelers. And you know,
I was dedicated to those guys. And I know they
know that, even though I didn't verbally say that, I
(17:14):
don't think, but you know, I wanted to stay and
finish my career in Pittsburgh. And it means a lot
for those guys to have not reissued my number. It's
an honor. It really is.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
I can well imagine and for people listening, especially new
funds of the NFL and American Football. We have a
Pro Football Hall of Famer on this podcast. When you retire, folks,
you have to wait at least five years to enter it.
It's very difficult to get into it. For you, Monty,
what does it mean to be part of the Pro
Football Hall of Fame? And you were one of the
(17:51):
guys I'm saying back in the day night because it's
a change and eye, but you got that knock on
the door from the head of the Hall of Fame.
Was at the moment where you felt like I solidified
your legacy in the game itself? Or for you do
accolades matter or were you always trying to push and
(18:11):
get to that point and just after your.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
Career was over, Well, I mean the accolades come, you know,
from just being consistent and you know, doing your job
the way you're supposed to do it and doing it
better than others. Others too, but you know, it does
solidify your whole career. It just kind of wraps it
up in a ball and you have reached the pinnacle
(18:33):
of your career. You know, as far as accolades, being
enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and that
is the ultimate for any football player, you know, and
I am truly honored, and to this day it's still
almost like a dream, you know, when people say, well,
you're in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I really
don't think about it all the time, you know, but
(18:56):
you know, when you put that go jacket on and
you go to the sermonies and Truman ceremonies, it's great
just to see the new class coming in and celebrate
them and their accomplishments. But it is truly the holy grail,
i'd say for football player.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
I know we're twelve years old, but congratulations on that
because I know from speaking to different guys that are
in the Hall of Fame and have any opportunity to
do so of course, just to see what just to
say what it means to them, because I know it
doesn't just mean so much to you, but to your
family also, you know, So congratulations to you and thank
you for everything that you've done four not just staters,
but the game as well. And it would be missing
(19:31):
me if I didn't finish this podcast asking this the
staters have talked about their hope, their desire at some
point in the future, wherever it's five, ten, fifteen years whatever,
to maybe play a game in Ireland. The game it
could be a game in Krok Park. But really, for
the staters, what's changed a month de since you played
in the late nineties In Ireland? We've got Krook Park,
(19:54):
We've also got the Aviva Stadium, and a number of
different stadia are around Ireland, so who knows if it
ever does happen, what stadium they might play. And one
thing is for sure, the Crook Park that you played
in has really changed. I'm not sure if you've seen
it would that be.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
I haven't seen it. I haven't seen Croke Park since
I played.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
One of the stands has been completely changed and it's
all built up now, so it is quite different. Eighty
two thousand people were at a game and at last weekend,
regardless if it was in that stadium or somewhere else.
How awesome would it be to see the staters come
back to Ireland and really fulfill the legacy of the
Ruiney family in a more modern way with the NFL's
(20:38):
Global Markets program.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah, it would be great. It would be great, and
I'm sure the players would enjoy it and love it.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Yeah, who knows. The staters have officially said that they
hope to, you know, explore the idea of playing a
game in Ireland in the future, and who knows where
that might be. A US in Croke Park or if
it was at the Aviva or somewhere else. I think
wherever it is would be very happy and grateful if
it ever took place. Hopefully we will have you over
there if and when it happens, with a cup of
(21:05):
tea or a pint in hand, and got it.
Speaker 2 (21:08):
You got it.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
It's an honor to chat to your monthly twenty seven
years on this weekend from that game in Croke Park.
And I know a lot of people were you were
at that game or watching it. It was on Fox in
the States. I think it was the first ever preseason
game to be that distributed in the United States and
around the world. So it says at itself, I know
(21:30):
the game meant so much to the family, but also
so much to you guys for a lot of you
guys getting out there, so thank you so much for
coming on and not just talking to us about that,
but your time as well in Pittsburgh. Germea maggat, as
we say in Ireland. Thank you very much. I'm going
to chat to you soon.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Thank you all right, thank you for having me on
the show.
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