August 7, 2025 • 14 mins
This week, Michael is still at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, the home of Steelers Training Camp, where he is joined by Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith. Alex chats his career so far - and the iconic first ever Dublin Game.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Irish airline aer Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(00:21):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the Big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Welcome into a very special edition of the Iriships podcast
presented by aer Lingus. From the trope deep in the
hearts of the facility, here with the man himself, Alex Heidsmith,
Alex Balsha. It's great to be here, Man Hoiden.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Doing great, Okay, it's going great so far. You know,
we've been getting after it. Pads have been popping this week,
so we've been we've been looking good, just get better
better every day, so you know, just looking forward to
the season ahead.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
The subject that I'm sure people and I are like
I've talked, we've we've talked that much. But to actually
sit here and shot to you, you know, we're we're
seven weeks today from this game in Dublin, which is
crazy to think as a fun first and foremost, what's
the mood like in the locker room? Is there a
real excitement? And how do you feel about actually going
over to iron in the player for the first time.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Yeah, it's gonna be awesome. You know. Ever since the
game was announced or even rumors of the game, just
thinking about going over there would just be so cool
because you know, me and my wife have have been
to Europe and traveled a good bit, So being able
to be being able to go over there and you know,
play a game and represent this organization is going to
be so awesome. And so I was just excited to
you know, be there, see see Ireland, see see the
(01:48):
whole city. So I think it's gonna be a great time.
You know, I think a lot of guys are amped
up for it.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
So you're from Wilmington, North Carolina. For people listening to
this in Europe, and what's that like? And you wherever
you travel in Europe.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Yeah, oh yeah, so born and Race for went to North Carolina.
You know, I was like ten minutes from the beach,
so nice during the summer, I could always go to
the beach and stuff. So I grew up in a
beach town, so that was awesome. And uh, we've been
all over the place for the seas two three years
ago we went to Greece for our honeymoon, so that
was amazing. We did like a big Europe trip last year.
(02:19):
We went to London, Paris, Barcelona, and then Venis, Florence, Rome,
And this past year we went to like the Mafy
coast and south of Italy. So yeah, we're big travelers
and we love doing it and so we just love
love exploring the world and so just ready to you
know at Ireland, you know, to our you know, to
our next travel list.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
You imagined Wilmington, UNC's actually coming to Ireland next year,
which is really cool for us a standing on the
Steelers stuff. You were awarded the key to the city
this off season in Wilmington. Like does it really head
home when something like that what happens in terms of
like Jesus, you sort of have meet it or it
must be you must be very proud to get that.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Yeah, it's cool, but you know, just knowing that for me,
it's always on. One thing that I knew, know when
I made it to the league is that I wanted
to just impact others. And I know that my platform,
you know, it isn't about me. You know, I've been
bussed to be a busting to others, and so yeah,
just to be able to go back and every single
year and just get back to my hometown, that that
just means the world, because you know, that's the place
(03:15):
they raised me. My dad's from there, and so just
you know, it's it's such a special place Wilmington is
and it's only it's growing like crazy, and so, like I said,
I'm just super thankful for my parents who raised me
down there and just being being from the city of Willmington,
North Carolina. So it's pretty it's pretty pretty awesome place
and it's continually growing.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Two big things on the schedule for the organization over
the next year, obviously, the first one is the Dubling game.
Second one is the draft. You were a third round
peck in the draft. What's it like getting a phone.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Call it's amazing, you know. I was COVID. I was
COVID class, so oh okay, yeah, it was that was
the year that I think it was one of the
most watched drafts, just because there was nothing else on
TV with COVID and whatnot. And I remember I was
going to have like a big party. I have all
my family and close friends there, but because of COVID,
only had like ten people there. So my wife was there,
(04:05):
my parents, my sister and her husband, and three of
my best friends, and I had like a news anchor
there as well. So I just I just remember it
was my agent was talking to me and you projected
to go, you know, around three, and so that that
second night was just it was a long night because
I think I just picked one O two and I
didn't get picked till like it was at the end
of the night. So I think it was like eleven
(04:26):
forty eleven forty five and I was sitting there and
there was two picks before Pittsburgh when I got the call,
and I just remember my phone going off. I'm like,
oh my gosh, this actually happened, and uh, it was
just a surreal moment. I'd like, I can't believe this happened,
like where everyone was talking, my phone goes off and
everyone just gets quiet, and I'm on the phone, and
it was it was cool. I had some of my
best friends from college and teammates, like on a zoom
(04:48):
call on my computer right in front of me. And
then my dad connected his computer to like a TV
and had all my all his family, all moms family
on that TV in the zoom as well, and so
everyone kind of saw when I picked up the phone.
And then I remember getting off the phone for the
first time and I jumped up. I was like, let's go.
So I was just super excited. I was. If I
didn't ejected that night, I was gonna be probably go
(05:08):
to sleep within the next thirty minutes. But I think
I don't think I went to sleep that night. It
was crazy.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I'm glad you didn't go to bed anyway, and look
at us now, and I'd love that. We'll talk about
that draft if you get an our chance properly, because
there's much you can go into that, but having no
wit and stuff. In terms of this year, you've coached
McCurley in his first season the linebackers coach. How do
you find him so far and sort of the improvements
that you guys are trying to make out here in
some menstal college.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Yeah, it's been great, you know, and he's coaching this
league and I think, you know, he brings a lot
of knowledge and wisdom to our defense. And so I
think he's done a great job coaching the inside backers
and just really getting those guys right. And so I
know the guys are really recepted to his coaching, and
you know, I think he's out there getting those guys
better and better every single day, and so definitely know
that he's adding a lot of value to our defense.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
It's funny, we talked about it on the way in,
but I've had a chance to go to like Jacksonville, Minnesota, Indianapolis,
even Cleveland and see training coms over the last few days.
This place is a pretty special month. What's it like
when you're out there and there's fiusands of fans and
I know on Friday night you have like thirteen five.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, yeah, it's crazy. I mean the Friday night lights
special thing is unique. Every senior year's like I think
they might be like fifteen twenty thousand. It was crazy.
But the thing that just makes this place unique is
just the camaraderie that we have every year. So you know,
not every team goes off to a destination camp. You know,
my first couple of years we stayed at the stadium
because of COVID, and then came out here in twenty
two and then coming here ever since. But that's just
(06:27):
probably my favorite part being out here is just the camaraderie.
So every night, you know, as a practice at their meetings,
you know, we're playing cards, we're playing video games, all
us together, and so I think that's what really I
think the best teams are the teams that are the
closest teams at least, you know, successful teams that I've
been on in my playing career are the teams that
are the closest, and so I think that's something that
is value to hear, the camaraderie. And so that's probably
(06:49):
my favorite part about this.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
One of the things whenever we ask players if it's Tappenham,
Wembley or Germany or international game, about the experience, it
always says, but like a ministreating camp, is that something
that you guys, maybe you're looking forward to the maybe
getting out of it, getting away from the noise, especially
over here and it's all a bad thing. Just you know,
getting away and actually regrouping them. I really giving that
game a good goal before.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, I think it's gonna be such a really fun trip.
No talking to other guys you know who have been
overseas and experience that you know, they've had, They've had
good experiences. So I'm just really excited to just you know,
see see Ireland, Ce Dublin and just you can't wait
to get out there.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
TJ's back. What's he like as a as a friend,
as a player, and you guys, look obviously everyone stoked
of him back. It's it's a huge one with this offseason.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, he's been awesome. You know, he was here when
I came in my rookie year. Him and Buddy Pree
were the two outside backers when I came in. So
to be able to come into a situation like that
is awesome, you know, to learn from two great guys
and you know, being you know this my six year
being teammates with him, and it's just been cool. You
know we've got pretty close you know, off the field
as well, and so it's just been really cool to
(07:56):
you know, play with him. You know, he's the best
on the way he does. And so for him to
get that pay day, you know, he deserved it and
to get it done before camp was just you know
awesome as well. You know, so don't have to worry
about none of that going into camp. But you know,
like I said, he's the best in the world for
a reason.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It's been a fun few weeks. I love Black Coat
as well. I think we got that for social media.
That's the whatever reason. And Barker, Sure, what's your favorite
stadium to plan.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Why besides after Sure, let's see, I'll probably say either
either the bills of the Chief Stadium. Both of those
stadiums are insanely loud.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
And so last year in Buffalo as well, it feels
you know.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think I think to play there two years ago
or yeah, I played there two years ago in the playoffs.
But I remember in twenty twenty one that was the
first like year after code, but I think they they
still had some regulations and stuff whatnot. But there's no
fans that like, barely any fans in the games in
twenty twenty and then twenty twenty one came, it was
sold out, even New York. They didn't have any fans
(08:52):
all season. I think we had like like five thousand
the most sometime. But I remember that first game in
twenties thwentyone, and that places like literally deafening and the
fans are super close to you, and it's just it's
just a crazy environment. And then like I said, Airhead
as well, you know, just seeing the Sea of Red.
You know, we played there during the playoff game and
that was crazy as well. Then they always got to
(09:13):
love the Division games too, you know, because those are
the hostile ones.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
And guys travel as well, like the Steelers fans travel.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
Due they do the I mean I think we for
most places, you know, there's more Steeler fans than than
than the home team fans, except for you know, like
the Division games is the Ravens, Browns and Sheets. You
know those games, I mean the Ravens, Browns, Bengals. Those
games are always hostile. And so that's probably say those
are my favorite takings.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
You can definitely when you're when you're in Europe and
it's maybe live for example, the first light football game
last year in the snow, and you can figure that
even not just even not far away, it's all them
with the fans like it's funny, we'll probably see closer
to the time. But the big number of the big
question is how many fans are going to be in Dublin,
And I think you're we could be looking at thirty
or forty fives and Steelers fans, which for an international
(09:56):
game is unheard of, but Buffalo is but got a
couple of years ago. So I'm sure push you guys
on and I want to jump on a couple of things.
You've obviously, look, you had an injury last year obviously
back night. What's it like mentally when you know on
a Sunday morning you can play like does that does
that get to you or are you very focused in
terms of out there and just try and keep going
(10:17):
each day?
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Yeah, I mean it's it's definitely tough, you know. For me,
last year was definitely a tough year mentally for sure,
not just physically, but I never missed more than one game,
you know, in my career in the season, and so
I missed six games last year. Had grown into an ankle,
and so it was definitely frustrated. But you know, I
just kept pushing, kept grinding, kept believing, and so whenever
I came back. You know, I feel like I finished
(10:38):
the season strong when I was back in at the
end of the season, and so just really for me,
I've done a lot of things, you know, to make
sure that those things will happen again, and done a
lot of strengthening specifically their growing area, and then done
a lot of ankle mobility and rehab this year to
make sure that that's back to where it needs to be,
especially for my position and what I do been around
(10:59):
the edge. So I was just excited for we going
to be able to bounce back this year.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Anybody that looks at your social media, it's quite clear
to me from looking at at the other day you
enjoy giving back and really helping people. You out a
football camp. I think it was the fifth annual Family Foundation.
What's it like doing that and sit and seeing the
youth and to be inspiring them to be a bit
like you in the future.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I mean, it's just awesome because I know I was
watching those those kids shoes and like I said, for me,
it's all about I've been blessed to be a blessing
to others, and so I had our foundation for five
years now that Alex has been a family foundation, and
so that's something that's really been important to me and
to my family, is that a we give back and
so especially in the city of Wilmington where I was born.
(11:42):
I'm here in Pittsburgh and then also Charlotte because Charlotte
played a huge role in my life. That's where I
went to school. And so just really just giving back
to the youth and just inspiring the next generation, impacting
the next generation. And so it we're still a newer foundation,
but you know, we're we're continuing to do more and more.
But the football camp is something that we do every
single year, and you know, it's awesome being able to
be out there and get back to my hometown in
(12:03):
that way.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Beast luck without in the future add two quick ones
to go funniest playing in the locker room? Who is
the funniest guy?
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Oh, let's see, I'd probably say either Darius Slay or
Brandon Fojoko.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Interesting.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Interesting, it's between them two for sure.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Okay, at favorite moment is a Steelers So far.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Favorite moment was a Steeler? Uh? I would I would
probably say when in the division my rookie year that
that was really cool. You know, we started off hot
that year. Then we lost a couple of games, but
you know, to be able to get that division, and
when that division my rookie was really cool, you know.
Alter you know, they're definitely disappointing that we didn't make
(12:43):
a push to the playoffs that year, but I'd probably
say to win that division, uh, it was really cool.
And that also too, I think it was my rookie year.
We were playing first matchup against the Ravens, like I
gotta pick my first pick since like Pop Warner in
that game against the Ravens, and we ended up winning
that game like in like the last second. So that
was just a crazy matchup. So so I play probably
(13:05):
say those are two of my favorite moments.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Just one final one quickly to finish off. You won
the Chief Award last year for you know, the way
that you've you know obviously portrays up to the media,
et cetera talking about the Chief. Did the guys in
the locker room under and do they understand the importance
of this game in Dublin in terms of there is
no team in the NFL that has the relationship with
the Island, with any country really quite like the Steelers
and they're any family in Ireland.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, I mean I think you know a lot of
guys do understand that. We know that, you know, we're
going over there to represent you know, this organization. There
were any family and so we know it's a it's
a big opportunity for us, and like I said, we're
just really humbling on and to be able to go
over there and play with there.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
We're honored to have you over. I can't wait seven
weeks or so, depending on the les goes out twenty September,
you're going to be running out onto the feeling for park.
Enjoy it and enjoy the experience because from speaking to
guys in ninety seven, they still talk about it to
this day and more so on behalf of Steelers. Fancy
your best look the season? Can't wait for Alex Franky
how much?
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Here sir? Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Irish Airline air LINGUS will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one excel Or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(14:34):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers.
Fans traveling to Ireland for the big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Irish airline aer Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(00:21):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the Big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Welcome into a very special edition of the Iriships podcast
presented by aer Lingus. From the trope deep in the
hearts of the facility, here with the man himself, Alex Heidsmith,
Alex Balsha. It's great to be here, Man Hoiden.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Doing great, Okay, it's going great so far. You know,
we've been getting after it. Pads have been popping this week,
so we've been we've been looking good, just get better
better every day, so you know, just looking forward to
the season ahead.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
The subject that I'm sure people and I are like
I've talked, we've we've talked that much. But to actually
sit here and shot to you, you know, we're we're
seven weeks today from this game in Dublin, which is
crazy to think as a fun first and foremost, what's
the mood like in the locker room? Is there a
real excitement? And how do you feel about actually going
over to iron in the player for the first time.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Yeah, it's gonna be awesome. You know. Ever since the
game was announced or even rumors of the game, just
thinking about going over there would just be so cool
because you know, me and my wife have have been
to Europe and traveled a good bit, So being able
to be being able to go over there and you know,
play a game and represent this organization is going to
be so awesome. And so I was just excited to
you know, be there, see see Ireland, see see the
(01:48):
whole city. So I think it's gonna be a great time.
You know, I think a lot of guys are amped
up for it.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
So you're from Wilmington, North Carolina. For people listening to
this in Europe, and what's that like? And you wherever
you travel in Europe.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Yeah, oh yeah, so born and Race for went to North Carolina.
You know, I was like ten minutes from the beach,
so nice during the summer, I could always go to
the beach and stuff. So I grew up in a
beach town, so that was awesome. And uh, we've been
all over the place for the seas two three years
ago we went to Greece for our honeymoon, so that
was amazing. We did like a big Europe trip last year.
(02:19):
We went to London, Paris, Barcelona, and then Venis, Florence, Rome,
And this past year we went to like the Mafy
coast and south of Italy. So yeah, we're big travelers
and we love doing it and so we just love
love exploring the world and so just ready to you
know at Ireland, you know, to our you know, to
our next travel list.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
You imagined Wilmington, UNC's actually coming to Ireland next year,
which is really cool for us a standing on the
Steelers stuff. You were awarded the key to the city
this off season in Wilmington. Like does it really head
home when something like that what happens in terms of
like Jesus, you sort of have meet it or it
must be you must be very proud to get that.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Yeah, it's cool, but you know, just knowing that for me,
it's always on. One thing that I knew, know when
I made it to the league is that I wanted
to just impact others. And I know that my platform,
you know, it isn't about me. You know, I've been
bussed to be a busting to others, and so yeah,
just to be able to go back and every single
year and just get back to my hometown, that that
just means the world, because you know, that's the place
(03:15):
they raised me. My dad's from there, and so just
you know, it's it's such a special place Wilmington is
and it's only it's growing like crazy, and so, like I said,
I'm just super thankful for my parents who raised me
down there and just being being from the city of Willmington,
North Carolina. So it's pretty it's pretty pretty awesome place
and it's continually growing.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Two big things on the schedule for the organization over
the next year, obviously, the first one is the Dubling game.
Second one is the draft. You were a third round
peck in the draft. What's it like getting a phone.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Call it's amazing, you know. I was COVID. I was
COVID class, so oh okay, yeah, it was that was
the year that I think it was one of the
most watched drafts, just because there was nothing else on
TV with COVID and whatnot. And I remember I was
going to have like a big party. I have all
my family and close friends there, but because of COVID,
only had like ten people there. So my wife was there,
(04:05):
my parents, my sister and her husband, and three of
my best friends, and I had like a news anchor
there as well. So I just I just remember it
was my agent was talking to me and you projected
to go, you know, around three, and so that that
second night was just it was a long night because
I think I just picked one O two and I
didn't get picked till like it was at the end
of the night. So I think it was like eleven
(04:26):
forty eleven forty five and I was sitting there and
there was two picks before Pittsburgh when I got the call,
and I just remember my phone going off. I'm like,
oh my gosh, this actually happened, and uh, it was
just a surreal moment. I'd like, I can't believe this happened,
like where everyone was talking, my phone goes off and
everyone just gets quiet, and I'm on the phone, and
it was it was cool. I had some of my
best friends from college and teammates, like on a zoom
(04:48):
call on my computer right in front of me. And
then my dad connected his computer to like a TV
and had all my all his family, all moms family
on that TV in the zoom as well, and so
everyone kind of saw when I picked up the phone.
And then I remember getting off the phone for the
first time and I jumped up. I was like, let's go.
So I was just super excited. I was. If I
didn't ejected that night, I was gonna be probably go
(05:08):
to sleep within the next thirty minutes. But I think
I don't think I went to sleep that night. It
was crazy.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I'm glad you didn't go to bed anyway, and look
at us now, and I'd love that. We'll talk about
that draft if you get an our chance properly, because
there's much you can go into that, but having no
wit and stuff. In terms of this year, you've coached
McCurley in his first season the linebackers coach. How do
you find him so far and sort of the improvements
that you guys are trying to make out here in
some menstal college.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Yeah, it's been great, you know, and he's coaching this
league and I think, you know, he brings a lot
of knowledge and wisdom to our defense. And so I
think he's done a great job coaching the inside backers
and just really getting those guys right. And so I
know the guys are really recepted to his coaching, and
you know, I think he's out there getting those guys
better and better every single day, and so definitely know
that he's adding a lot of value to our defense.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
It's funny, we talked about it on the way in,
but I've had a chance to go to like Jacksonville, Minnesota, Indianapolis,
even Cleveland and see training coms over the last few days.
This place is a pretty special month. What's it like
when you're out there and there's fiusands of fans and
I know on Friday night you have like thirteen five.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Yeah, yeah, it's crazy. I mean the Friday night lights
special thing is unique. Every senior year's like I think
they might be like fifteen twenty thousand. It was crazy.
But the thing that just makes this place unique is
just the camaraderie that we have every year. So you know,
not every team goes off to a destination camp. You know,
my first couple of years we stayed at the stadium
because of COVID, and then came out here in twenty
two and then coming here ever since. But that's just
(06:27):
probably my favorite part being out here is just the camaraderie.
So every night, you know, as a practice at their meetings,
you know, we're playing cards, we're playing video games, all
us together, and so I think that's what really I
think the best teams are the teams that are the
closest teams at least, you know, successful teams that I've
been on in my playing career are the teams that
are the closest, and so I think that's something that
is value to hear, the camaraderie. And so that's probably
(06:49):
my favorite part about this.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
One of the things whenever we ask players if it's Tappenham,
Wembley or Germany or international game, about the experience, it
always says, but like a ministreating camp, is that something
that you guys, maybe you're looking forward to the maybe
getting out of it, getting away from the noise, especially
over here and it's all a bad thing. Just you know,
getting away and actually regrouping them. I really giving that
game a good goal before.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Yeah, I think it's gonna be such a really fun trip.
No talking to other guys you know who have been
overseas and experience that you know, they've had, They've had
good experiences. So I'm just really excited to just you know,
see see Ireland, Ce Dublin and just you can't wait
to get out there.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
TJ's back. What's he like as a as a friend,
as a player, and you guys, look obviously everyone stoked
of him back. It's it's a huge one with this offseason.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
Yeah, he's been awesome. You know, he was here when
I came in my rookie year. Him and Buddy Pree
were the two outside backers when I came in. So
to be able to come into a situation like that
is awesome, you know, to learn from two great guys
and you know, being you know this my six year
being teammates with him, and it's just been cool. You
know we've got pretty close you know, off the field
as well, and so it's just been really cool to
(07:56):
you know, play with him. You know, he's the best
on the way he does. And so for him to
get that pay day, you know, he deserved it and
to get it done before camp was just you know
awesome as well. You know, so don't have to worry
about none of that going into camp. But you know,
like I said, he's the best in the world for
a reason.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It's been a fun few weeks. I love Black Coat
as well. I think we got that for social media.
That's the whatever reason. And Barker, Sure, what's your favorite
stadium to plan.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Why besides after Sure, let's see, I'll probably say either
either the bills of the Chief Stadium. Both of those
stadiums are insanely loud.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
And so last year in Buffalo as well, it feels
you know.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
I think I think to play there two years ago
or yeah, I played there two years ago in the playoffs.
But I remember in twenty twenty one that was the
first like year after code, but I think they they
still had some regulations and stuff whatnot. But there's no
fans that like, barely any fans in the games in
twenty twenty and then twenty twenty one came, it was
sold out, even New York. They didn't have any fans
(08:52):
all season. I think we had like like five thousand
the most sometime. But I remember that first game in
twenties thwentyone, and that places like literally deafening and the
fans are super close to you, and it's just it's
just a crazy environment. And then like I said, Airhead
as well, you know, just seeing the Sea of Red.
You know, we played there during the playoff game and
that was crazy as well. Then they always got to
(09:13):
love the Division games too, you know, because those are
the hostile ones.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
And guys travel as well, like the Steelers fans travel.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
Due they do the I mean I think we for
most places, you know, there's more Steeler fans than than
than the home team fans, except for you know, like
the Division games is the Ravens, Browns and Sheets. You
know those games, I mean the Ravens, Browns, Bengals. Those
games are always hostile. And so that's probably say those
are my favorite takings.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
You can definitely when you're when you're in Europe and
it's maybe live for example, the first light football game
last year in the snow, and you can figure that
even not just even not far away, it's all them
with the fans like it's funny, we'll probably see closer
to the time. But the big number of the big
question is how many fans are going to be in Dublin,
And I think you're we could be looking at thirty
or forty fives and Steelers fans, which for an international
(09:56):
game is unheard of, but Buffalo is but got a
couple of years ago. So I'm sure push you guys
on and I want to jump on a couple of things.
You've obviously, look, you had an injury last year obviously
back night. What's it like mentally when you know on
a Sunday morning you can play like does that does
that get to you or are you very focused in
terms of out there and just try and keep going
(10:17):
each day?
Speaker 3 (10:17):
Yeah, I mean it's it's definitely tough, you know. For me,
last year was definitely a tough year mentally for sure,
not just physically, but I never missed more than one game,
you know, in my career in the season, and so
I missed six games last year. Had grown into an ankle,
and so it was definitely frustrated. But you know, I
just kept pushing, kept grinding, kept believing, and so whenever
I came back. You know, I feel like I finished
(10:38):
the season strong when I was back in at the
end of the season, and so just really for me,
I've done a lot of things, you know, to make
sure that those things will happen again, and done a
lot of strengthening specifically their growing area, and then done
a lot of ankle mobility and rehab this year to
make sure that that's back to where it needs to be,
especially for my position and what I do been around
(10:59):
the edge. So I was just excited for we going
to be able to bounce back this year.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Anybody that looks at your social media, it's quite clear
to me from looking at at the other day you
enjoy giving back and really helping people. You out a
football camp. I think it was the fifth annual Family Foundation.
What's it like doing that and sit and seeing the
youth and to be inspiring them to be a bit
like you in the future.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I mean, it's just awesome because I know I was
watching those those kids shoes and like I said, for me,
it's all about I've been blessed to be a blessing
to others, and so I had our foundation for five
years now that Alex has been a family foundation, and
so that's something that's really been important to me and
to my family, is that a we give back and
so especially in the city of Wilmington where I was born.
(11:42):
I'm here in Pittsburgh and then also Charlotte because Charlotte
played a huge role in my life. That's where I
went to school. And so just really just giving back
to the youth and just inspiring the next generation, impacting
the next generation. And so it we're still a newer foundation,
but you know, we're we're continuing to do more and more.
But the football camp is something that we do every
single year, and you know, it's awesome being able to
be out there and get back to my hometown in
(12:03):
that way.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Beast luck without in the future add two quick ones
to go funniest playing in the locker room? Who is
the funniest guy?
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Oh, let's see, I'd probably say either Darius Slay or
Brandon Fojoko.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Interesting.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Interesting, it's between them two for sure.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Okay, at favorite moment is a Steelers So far.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Favorite moment was a Steeler? Uh? I would I would
probably say when in the division my rookie year that
that was really cool. You know, we started off hot
that year. Then we lost a couple of games, but
you know, to be able to get that division, and
when that division my rookie was really cool, you know.
Alter you know, they're definitely disappointing that we didn't make
(12:43):
a push to the playoffs that year, but I'd probably
say to win that division, uh, it was really cool.
And that also too, I think it was my rookie year.
We were playing first matchup against the Ravens, like I
gotta pick my first pick since like Pop Warner in
that game against the Ravens, and we ended up winning
that game like in like the last second. So that
was just a crazy matchup. So so I play probably
(13:05):
say those are two of my favorite moments.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Just one final one quickly to finish off. You won
the Chief Award last year for you know, the way
that you've you know obviously portrays up to the media,
et cetera talking about the Chief. Did the guys in
the locker room under and do they understand the importance
of this game in Dublin in terms of there is
no team in the NFL that has the relationship with
the Island, with any country really quite like the Steelers
and they're any family in Ireland.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Yeah, I mean I think you know a lot of
guys do understand that. We know that, you know, we're
going over there to represent you know, this organization. There
were any family and so we know it's a it's
a big opportunity for us, and like I said, we're
just really humbling on and to be able to go
over there and play with there.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
We're honored to have you over. I can't wait seven
weeks or so, depending on the les goes out twenty September,
you're going to be running out onto the feeling for park.
Enjoy it and enjoy the experience because from speaking to
guys in ninety seven, they still talk about it to
this day and more so on behalf of Steelers. Fancy
your best look the season? Can't wait for Alex Franky
how much?
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Here sir? Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Irish Airline air LINGUS will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one excel Or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(14:34):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers.
Fans traveling to Ireland for the big Game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!