July 20, 2025 • 20 mins
This week, Michael is joined by Sky Sports NFL analyst and former NFL player Jason Bell to look ahead to the big game in Croke Park this September and the 2025 NFL Season!
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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.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This brings the number.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Of transatlantic routes operated by the 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.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome, Hey, folks, You're very welcome
to the latest position of the Irish Steers Podcast, presented
by aer Lingus. Your host Michael Maccaide here a couple
of weeks away from the start of Steers' training camp
(00:52):
in the Trope, will be there myself in around ten
to fourteen days.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Time.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Really excited to give you some action. Steelers Nation, It's
time to take flight with Erlingus, an official airline partner
of the Pittsburgh Staters and a founding partner of Steeters, Ireland.
There has never been a better time to book your
trip to Dublin with nineteen North American gateways, including flights
from nearby Cleveland. Get ready for warm Irish hospitality and
(01:16):
plenty of room on board for your terrible tile. Whether
it's game there, getaway. Erlingus looks forward to saying you're
very welcome to the players and fans of the Pittsburgh
Staters and you can book now on aerlingus dot com.
Lots of people flying over to this game that are
on this year, the historic first NFL game in Dublin,
and we've been very honored to have a number of
(01:37):
different guests from the media in Ireland, the UK and
Europe over these last few weeks to look ahead to
this game. No different this week former NFL player now
with SkySports NFL among different outlets. We are delighted to
welcome in Jason Bell to this week's edition of the
Irish Theaters podcast presented by Erlingess. We're delighted to welcome
(01:58):
in a former NFL player turn media extraordin there. Look,
I'm not even giving him the proper intro. We does
so much stuff. A real friend of the game in Ireland,
the uken Europe as well for what he does. Justin
Bell Jison, really really good to have you on here.
I'm really really good to see you the game on.
How are you doing?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
All is good man, Always fun to talk to you.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Love everything you're doing growing the game in Ireland, so
much respect for the effort you put in and yeah,
just excited man, love talking the game. When I was
a player, I didn't want it to rush back to
the season. You wanted to take as much time as
you could. But man, on the other side of it
in the media, I'm like, can we get these games
(02:39):
started tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
At the time of recording, we're like two and a
half weeks out from the preseason starting, So I will
take that. As a player, Gison, what was it like
at this time of the year when you know you're
about to start camp, you're about to go in the
training camp. How do you shift your focus to that
Back in the day.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Well, you've been working so hard, you have this time off,
so walk you go, come away from the facility. You're
doing all of that stuff, And in this time it
was all about fine tuning the things I needed to
work on and getting rest at the same time. I
mean mental rest, physical rest. If you were going to
do a vacation, you did it. You don't want to
you don't want to relax too much, right because you
(03:21):
got training camp around the corner, but yet you know
you need to step away. I would always go somewhere
where I knew I could go back to that moment
in like a meditative state. And what I mean by
that is when I'm laying on the field before practice,
before it's about to start, and I'm stretching, I would
close my eyes and take myself back to the beach
I was on, just for that minute before practice started,
(03:44):
and that really helped me. And I would think about
that on that last vacation I took. But you know,
this time was so valuable getting ready for the season,
making sure you're ready to go. And my body every
year still fills that anxiety and that pressure about the
season starting. And I don't even play anymore, but I
still can't shake it. It's something that's ingrained in my
(04:08):
DNA now.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
And it's funnily enough that this weekend is pretty memorable
across the island of Ireland. We've got the Open taking
place in Port Rush, I know you have family and
friends not too far from there. I do want to
touch on one thing before we talk about the football
and Staelers and stuff. Jason and we have got the
national finals this weekend. It's the culmination. It's the Shamrock
Bull in Ireland of the national Championship between UCD Doublin Rebels.
(04:32):
But we've also got a couple of different games and
for the first time ever, we've got female flag football
taken center stage on that big day. I'm not going
to ask you about the teams of South but just
you know you've been very passionate about the growth of
the game here. How impressed do you sort of see
the group in terms of what's happening over here.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Oh, I'm so impressed. First of all, selfishly, I wanted
it to happen. I love the focus over there, and
I've always said it's the people that make the and
it's the fans, and they're so unique, they're so passionate.
It's so fun that you force the focus of different
leagues to go over there and pay attention. And I
(05:11):
think that's been when you talk about the growth of
the game. I give all of the kudos all of
the effort comes from those within the country because the
game has come there, because the fans demand their respect
and they've shown the desire and I'm just so proud
to see that. Anything involved with Ireland obviously I'm invested in.
(05:34):
But this game coming up and what we're about to
see it is going the NFL has no clue. They
do have a clue, but this is going to be outstanding.
I mean you saw by when the tickets went for sale.
I mean it was out of control. Croke Park is
going to be cracking. So I love everything that's happening
right now, that's going to happen in the future, and
(05:56):
that's happening right now in Ireland. I'll be there next week,
you know, so if you see me just walking around,
you know, I'm back home.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
I love it. I'm sure we'll try and get a
coffee or something. And for people listening to this wondering
what's this guy talking about it, but being there next week,
you obviously have ties to the Northwest. We've done something
together up and Darry last year and it's sort of
just to echo what you said. I still have people
that come up to me and say I love the
time with Jebell and I think it means a lot
more whenever you have that tire, that connection to the
(06:23):
island and you've mentioned that game. Have you ever had
a chance to be in Krook Park before or have
you just heard around it in that sense, because for
me and I feel like for a lot of people
listening to Steelers fans NFL fans, this is going to
be very akin to like the first game in Munich,
which was obviously legendary sort of in terms of the
fawn atmosphere, and I know you were very excited the
year after in Frankfurt. I feel like it's going to
(06:44):
take it to a different level.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Man.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Yeah, no, I've never been there before, but obviously I've
heard about it. I know how big it is, I
know how special it is, so I'm aware of that,
and when I knew the game was going to be
played there, I thought this is going to be spectacular.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Right.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
One thing, it doesn't matter if you're in a small
bar or in a stadium like Croke Park. These fans
and these people, the energy that comes off of that
island and the people, that is the key with any
sporting event. So I'm just so excited to share that
with the world. A lot of Americans love traveling to Ireland,
(07:22):
a lot of people have connections there. So now that
the game is going to be played there, and especially
because of the Roonies in their commitment with the Steelers
to finally getting there, I mean, the NFL deserves the
best in Ireland's going to give them the best.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
I got a lot of family coming up there, obviously
a lot of tickets I gotta get, and I'm just
I'm just really proud of this moment. So, yeah, my
connection to Ireland is real. I love it, spend a
lot of time there. You know, half my family's there,
so this is this is quite personal.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
I look forward to see a few of them in
September and we'll probably talk about the two teams in
the week. Second, I'll a have to osky this as
a guy who's played in the league, what's it like
playing the Steelers? And I know it's not not Heinesfield Night,
but it's awkroa Scher. What was it like going to
Pittsburgh and playing Because even going as a fine and
seeing that city, it's a real blue collar city that
really really loves their sport. Monk.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Yeah, Pittsburgh's tough.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
I mean, yes, it's loud, it's aggressive, and they're a tough,
physical team.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
I think they take on.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
You know, the city and what it's known for and
what the people are, blue collar, resilient. You feel that
when you play against them, you always know you're gonna
be in for a fight. I mean, I was back
in the day. I had to tackle Jerome business that
didn't work out well for me. Let's just let's just
put it like that. But you know, they they just
(08:45):
The one thing about the Steelers is there's a couple
of teams that you just don't forget. You know exactly
who they are, what they look like, what they stand for,
because they have history.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
And that's the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
When those guys get on the field, you know what
they're gonna give, you know, so you know they play
the same way their head coaches, no nonsense, discipline. So
that's the thing about them that you gotta love. You
know you're gonna get a great game, and you know
you're gonna get a lot of history, a lot of attitude,
a lot of effort.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
And one thing that has changed since you walked out
of the stadium in February in New Orleans, which seems
like last week to me. Now, Aaron Rodgers understand it?
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Firstly, as a player, what's it like when somebody like
that or somebody new comes into the locker room? And secondly,
I'm putting you on the spot there. Secondly, how excited
you to see him play for this team? Especially he's
always going to come to Dublin as well?
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Yeah, I mean Aaron Rodgers, Right, This is a guy
that a lot of players in the locker room have
watched his whole career, right, so they're like, Wow, Aaron
Rodgers is in here, this guy, former MVP, Super Bowl winner.
When he comes in the locker room, how big of
a character is he? Does he take up all the oxygen?
Not In the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room, the culture in
the identity is already set. Those players exist, a lot
(10:02):
of them are on defense. That's why this works well
because this is Mike Tomlin's teams. The identity is already there.
Aaron Rodgers is just gonna plug in there. He's got
to fit in. So I think in the other teams
this might not work, This might be annoying, a nuisance
it might take up, like I said, all the air,
(10:23):
but not when with the Steelers in this organization. And
I think he knows that Aaron Rodgers respects Mike Tomlin.
And that is the key with Aaron Rodgers from everything
I've seen, does he respect his coach? And he does.
This team is led by its defense and that attitude.
So how you're not looking for somebody to come in
(10:45):
and lead you. That's not what the Steelers are looking for.
And I think that's why this works. So as a player,
if I was on that team, I would be happy.
I'd say, hey man, we got a guy who can play.
He's proven, but he's just got to plug into this machine.
He doesn't have to be the savior. And I wouldn't
look at him like that because I got guys in
(11:06):
this room, in this building that are the attitude, they
are the identity, and that's the difference. So and you're
gonna see that people are gonna they're not gonna be
enamored with him, they're gonna respect him. But this stealerway
is the stealerway that's already set. So yeah, now he
goes out there and he's making plays and he's he's
(11:26):
doing Aaron Rodgers stuff. It could change quickly. People could
look at him like, okay, all right, you're one of us.
Let's you set the tone now. But right now he's
just plugging into this machine.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
We talked about it a little bit last Swher whenever
we were sort of the gatherer over here at home
and stuff. How much do you enjoy being on TV
and seeing the game from another angle? Because I feel
like the NFL season of just pastas and and seeing
the Super Bowl in the Orleans is one thing, but
you have really seem to come into it over the
last year even more and the energy, the passion is there.
Just how much do you enjoy it? Because we've actually
(11:58):
completed the sky Sports, we've a need Phoebe, Jeff and
now yourself phone, so it's great to sort of complete
the Holy Unit and have you on as well.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Yeah, so I love it. Obviously. I'm a fan of
the game. That's why I fell in love with it
as a player. When I was a kid, loved watching it.
Remember watching the New York Giants when I was young,
that Super Bowl team, and that's that's when I fell
in love with the game. So what I really appreciate
about football is how much you can learn, even though
(12:30):
you have tons of knowledge. Each year, I'm working on
something something specific about the game that I need to
learn more about, try to become an expert, because all
I'm trying to do is translate and simplify. But I
can only do that if I put in the work
in the same way I put into work every off season.
You know, how are teams playing, what's their philosophy? How
(12:51):
are they attacking this? You know, how are they defending that?
So I spend all off season trying to really figure
that out so when the season starts, I can then
articulate that as best and as best as I'm capable
of to the audience, because that's the key. And I
fell in love with that process. So when you see
the energy, it's it's it's like, oh my gosh, I've
(13:15):
seen this.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
This is so cool.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Let me tell you about this thing. And that's how
I feel. You know, I'm just excited about how I
can see the puzzle all fitting together. And I'm talking
to that person at home that is as excited as me,
and the same person that's just trying to learn because
I'm that's what I'm trying to do. If you've ever
had a teacher that's excited about teaching, you probably like
the subject and and that's the way I approach you.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I love it. I love it. I've got two quick
ones to finish up. First one, you know, sort of
just standing on the TV subject. You know, you've worked
on a number of channels in the UK and Ireland.
You know, just generally from when you get over here,
one thing hasra and me and to see him and
you talk about the stater away and you mentioned Coach
Tumblin a few moments ago. Coach Tumblin's been there from
the minute you stopped off the field and went on
(14:00):
to our airwaves over here. How impressed you or of
how impressed are you of him as a leader? I'm
just as a coach generally.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
There's so much you can learn from these NFL coaches.
And I am, obviously, like anybody else that's been around
the game, impressed by Mike Tomlin. For a couple of reasons.
He demands respect. He finds a way to reinvent not
only himself but the agenda by saying the same thing
over and over again. You know, like I have to
(14:27):
change things up every year for different players. But he
can do that, and that's the main thing that's very
difficult to do. You know, how many stories can you
tell over and over again. But he finds a way.
He makes he can articulate a goal clear and get
everybody on the same page. And if from any CEO,
(14:50):
whether it's a Fortune five hundred company or the CEO
of your household, if you can do that, people will follow.
And he does that well. He demands a certain the
amount of effort and attention and you understand what that
is as a team and as an individual. I need
you to do this and this is what this requires.
It's very clear. And you go out and do your
(15:12):
job and you respect people who who can tell you
things honestly that are that help you in the long run,
you know, and if they don't work out, you have
no one else to blame. And I think that's the
thing about him, man. He finds a way to win
tough games. You know, is gay And you know when
(15:33):
you talk about his record, no matter what team he
puts on the field, they play hard. So that's the
reason he's there. You got to give the Ruonies a
lot of credit because they they find a way to
find these coaches, you know, Like I mean, they make
great decisions obviously, and they stick behind their decisions in
their coaches. So yeah, I mean he's great to watch.
(15:56):
You have a lot of respect for him and what
he's done. He's one of the things I always look at.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Man.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
You look at his record. When when Brian Flores, you know,
was out the NFL and he had you know, he
had his issue in Miami and all the legal stuff.
You see what kind of coach he is. I mean,
he's probably one of the best defensive coordinators in the game.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Now.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Mike Tomlin made sure he had a job that year.
He made sure he wasn't out of the NFL. He
kept him in the NFL because he knew you couldn't
let him just go disappear, and he didn't. Those kind
of decisions, that kind of forward thinking. That is a
man you have to respect, and he has the respect
(16:41):
of everyone because of the man he is.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
I love it. I could imagine I'm sitting here talking
about the ball to us as well. Mon just finally right,
we're coming to the middle to the end of July here,
and we were saying that just off camera it's getting close.
We're getting their month just under fifty days night to
the just the regular season starts. Give us your crystal ball.
How do you think we're gonna be in Dublin. We're
(17:07):
gonna be in Berlin, London, South Paolo. It's gonna be
fun seeing you guys in Dublin for this game. But
is it so hard to predict? Because that's the beauty
of it, Isn't it? Just don't know what's gonna happen.
But is there anything you can say right now? Maybe, Steeters?
Why is it you think could hop them this year?
Speaker 2 (17:21):
You know, I it's very hard to predict.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
And I'd say the more I know, the more difficult
it is. Because I have all these conflicting things in
my head. I have a lot of what ifs. You know,
I'm really interested in seeing exact First of all, let's
start with the international games. They're gonna be great like
this this the international Games will be outstanding. I mean,
(17:48):
this is where the game's going. I'm so excited with that.
But I'm also I can What I'm looking to see
is there's going to be a shift in the NFL
back to power running football. And I want to see
how that looks. Right, everything goes in waves, and right now,
I think we the teams that were dominant on offense
(18:11):
were teams that could run the ball. And I just
think we're gonna see a resurgence of the run game
and what that looks like. And it's I'm not this
is not you know, it's already happening, But that's gonna
be just so interesting. I think what is so great
is we are waiting in the AFC, man these quarterbacks, Like,
(18:34):
are we all just gonna wait for the playoffs to
see which one of these guys in the AFC can
do it?
Speaker 2 (18:38):
You know?
Speaker 4 (18:39):
I mean that that's that's so we we got that.
Who are the NFC guys like, what is what happens?
I mean, Jayden Daniels is unbelievable. I mean just you know,
I'm looking at Dak Prescott like can Dak? Can Dak
get back? You know, Candack can Dack? What's gonna happen?
So I would guess, I mean, I've I've skated away
(19:00):
from the prediction. But if I was to put it
and throw something out there, this might be Lamar's year.
This might be Lamar's year, This might this might be
Lamar's year. You know, he's getting close.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
I love how you're saying that on the Staters podcast,
and I'll just add that. Look, man, the AFC North
is going to be very very interesting.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
It's gonna be ours year.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
It's gonna be really interesting to see both teams come out,
So we will see, man, And I love the energy.
I love the fact that you're coming on here towards
the ener July when you should be just resting up
before you get back on again. So on behalf of
everyone listening to this. Thank you very much, and thank
you for what you've done to the game here to
get to this point. I'm sure a lot of Steelers
fans listening and NFL fans listening look forward to seeing
(19:42):
you back on screens in September, and obviously look forward
to seeing your face a bit like Calm Heyward when
he walked in the Crow Park for the first time.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
So, I mean, how cool was that? He's a baller? Yes,
thank you man, I appreciate Hi. We're gonna have a
good year.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Man. This won't be the last time we talk, obviously.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
It's bell Thank you, sir.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
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
(20:31):
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.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
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.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This brings the number.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Of transatlantic routes operated by the 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.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome, Hey, folks, You're very welcome
to the latest position of the Irish Steers Podcast, presented
by aer Lingus. Your host Michael Maccaide here a couple
of weeks away from the start of Steers' training camp
(00:52):
in the Trope, will be there myself in around ten
to fourteen days.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Time.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Really excited to give you some action. Steelers Nation, It's
time to take flight with Erlingus, an official airline partner
of the Pittsburgh Staters and a founding partner of Steeters, Ireland.
There has never been a better time to book your
trip to Dublin with nineteen North American gateways, including flights
from nearby Cleveland. Get ready for warm Irish hospitality and
(01:16):
plenty of room on board for your terrible tile. Whether
it's game there, getaway. Erlingus looks forward to saying you're
very welcome to the players and fans of the Pittsburgh
Staters and you can book now on aerlingus dot com.
Lots of people flying over to this game that are
on this year, the historic first NFL game in Dublin,
and we've been very honored to have a number of
(01:37):
different guests from the media in Ireland, the UK and
Europe over these last few weeks to look ahead to
this game. No different this week former NFL player now
with SkySports NFL among different outlets. We are delighted to
welcome in Jason Bell to this week's edition of the
Irish Theaters podcast presented by Erlingess. We're delighted to welcome
(01:58):
in a former NFL player turn media extraordin there. Look,
I'm not even giving him the proper intro. We does
so much stuff. A real friend of the game in Ireland,
the uken Europe as well for what he does. Justin
Bell Jison, really really good to have you on here.
I'm really really good to see you the game on.
How are you doing?
Speaker 2 (02:17):
All is good man, Always fun to talk to you.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Love everything you're doing growing the game in Ireland, so
much respect for the effort you put in and yeah,
just excited man, love talking the game. When I was
a player, I didn't want it to rush back to
the season. You wanted to take as much time as
you could. But man, on the other side of it
in the media, I'm like, can we get these games
(02:39):
started tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
At the time of recording, we're like two and a
half weeks out from the preseason starting, So I will
take that. As a player, Gison, what was it like
at this time of the year when you know you're
about to start camp, you're about to go in the
training camp. How do you shift your focus to that
Back in the day.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Well, you've been working so hard, you have this time off,
so walk you go, come away from the facility. You're
doing all of that stuff, And in this time it
was all about fine tuning the things I needed to
work on and getting rest at the same time. I
mean mental rest, physical rest. If you were going to
do a vacation, you did it. You don't want to
you don't want to relax too much, right because you
(03:21):
got training camp around the corner, but yet you know
you need to step away. I would always go somewhere
where I knew I could go back to that moment
in like a meditative state. And what I mean by
that is when I'm laying on the field before practice,
before it's about to start, and I'm stretching, I would
close my eyes and take myself back to the beach
I was on, just for that minute before practice started,
(03:44):
and that really helped me. And I would think about
that on that last vacation I took. But you know,
this time was so valuable getting ready for the season,
making sure you're ready to go. And my body every
year still fills that anxiety and that pressure about the
season starting. And I don't even play anymore, but I
still can't shake it. It's something that's ingrained in my
(04:08):
DNA now.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
And it's funnily enough that this weekend is pretty memorable
across the island of Ireland. We've got the Open taking
place in Port Rush, I know you have family and
friends not too far from there. I do want to
touch on one thing before we talk about the football
and Staelers and stuff. Jason and we have got the
national finals this weekend. It's the culmination. It's the Shamrock
Bull in Ireland of the national Championship between UCD Doublin Rebels.
(04:32):
But we've also got a couple of different games and
for the first time ever, we've got female flag football
taken center stage on that big day. I'm not going
to ask you about the teams of South but just
you know you've been very passionate about the growth of
the game here. How impressed do you sort of see
the group in terms of what's happening over here.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Oh, I'm so impressed. First of all, selfishly, I wanted
it to happen. I love the focus over there, and
I've always said it's the people that make the and
it's the fans, and they're so unique, they're so passionate.
It's so fun that you force the focus of different
leagues to go over there and pay attention. And I
(05:11):
think that's been when you talk about the growth of
the game. I give all of the kudos all of
the effort comes from those within the country because the
game has come there, because the fans demand their respect
and they've shown the desire and I'm just so proud
to see that. Anything involved with Ireland obviously I'm invested in.
(05:34):
But this game coming up and what we're about to
see it is going the NFL has no clue. They
do have a clue, but this is going to be outstanding.
I mean you saw by when the tickets went for sale.
I mean it was out of control. Croke Park is
going to be cracking. So I love everything that's happening
right now, that's going to happen in the future, and
(05:56):
that's happening right now in Ireland. I'll be there next week,
you know, so if you see me just walking around,
you know, I'm back home.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
I love it. I'm sure we'll try and get a
coffee or something. And for people listening to this wondering
what's this guy talking about it, but being there next week,
you obviously have ties to the Northwest. We've done something
together up and Darry last year and it's sort of
just to echo what you said. I still have people
that come up to me and say I love the
time with Jebell and I think it means a lot
more whenever you have that tire, that connection to the
(06:23):
island and you've mentioned that game. Have you ever had
a chance to be in Krook Park before or have
you just heard around it in that sense, because for
me and I feel like for a lot of people
listening to Steelers fans NFL fans, this is going to
be very akin to like the first game in Munich,
which was obviously legendary sort of in terms of the
fawn atmosphere, and I know you were very excited the
year after in Frankfurt. I feel like it's going to
(06:44):
take it to a different level.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Man.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Yeah, no, I've never been there before, but obviously I've
heard about it. I know how big it is, I
know how special it is, so I'm aware of that,
and when I knew the game was going to be
played there, I thought this is going to be spectacular.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Right.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
One thing, it doesn't matter if you're in a small
bar or in a stadium like Croke Park. These fans
and these people, the energy that comes off of that
island and the people, that is the key with any
sporting event. So I'm just so excited to share that
with the world. A lot of Americans love traveling to Ireland,
(07:22):
a lot of people have connections there. So now that
the game is going to be played there, and especially
because of the Roonies in their commitment with the Steelers
to finally getting there, I mean, the NFL deserves the
best in Ireland's going to give them the best.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
I got a lot of family coming up there, obviously
a lot of tickets I gotta get, and I'm just
I'm just really proud of this moment. So, yeah, my
connection to Ireland is real. I love it, spend a
lot of time there. You know, half my family's there,
so this is this is quite personal.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
I look forward to see a few of them in
September and we'll probably talk about the two teams in
the week. Second, I'll a have to osky this as
a guy who's played in the league, what's it like
playing the Steelers? And I know it's not not Heinesfield Night,
but it's awkroa Scher. What was it like going to
Pittsburgh and playing Because even going as a fine and
seeing that city, it's a real blue collar city that
really really loves their sport. Monk.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Yeah, Pittsburgh's tough.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
I mean, yes, it's loud, it's aggressive, and they're a tough,
physical team.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
I think they take on.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
You know, the city and what it's known for and
what the people are, blue collar, resilient. You feel that
when you play against them, you always know you're gonna
be in for a fight. I mean, I was back
in the day. I had to tackle Jerome business that
didn't work out well for me. Let's just let's just
put it like that. But you know, they they just
(08:45):
The one thing about the Steelers is there's a couple
of teams that you just don't forget. You know exactly
who they are, what they look like, what they stand for,
because they have history.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
And that's the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
When those guys get on the field, you know what
they're gonna give, you know, so you know they play
the same way their head coaches, no nonsense, discipline. So
that's the thing about them that you gotta love. You
know you're gonna get a great game, and you know
you're gonna get a lot of history, a lot of attitude,
a lot of effort.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
And one thing that has changed since you walked out
of the stadium in February in New Orleans, which seems
like last week to me. Now, Aaron Rodgers understand it?
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Firstly, as a player, what's it like when somebody like
that or somebody new comes into the locker room? And secondly,
I'm putting you on the spot there. Secondly, how excited
you to see him play for this team? Especially he's
always going to come to Dublin as well?
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Yeah, I mean Aaron Rodgers, Right, This is a guy
that a lot of players in the locker room have
watched his whole career, right, so they're like, Wow, Aaron
Rodgers is in here, this guy, former MVP, Super Bowl winner.
When he comes in the locker room, how big of
a character is he? Does he take up all the oxygen?
Not In the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room, the culture in
the identity is already set. Those players exist, a lot
(10:02):
of them are on defense. That's why this works well
because this is Mike Tomlin's teams. The identity is already there.
Aaron Rodgers is just gonna plug in there. He's got
to fit in. So I think in the other teams
this might not work, This might be annoying, a nuisance
it might take up, like I said, all the air,
(10:23):
but not when with the Steelers in this organization. And
I think he knows that Aaron Rodgers respects Mike Tomlin.
And that is the key with Aaron Rodgers from everything
I've seen, does he respect his coach? And he does.
This team is led by its defense and that attitude.
So how you're not looking for somebody to come in
(10:45):
and lead you. That's not what the Steelers are looking for.
And I think that's why this works. So as a player,
if I was on that team, I would be happy.
I'd say, hey man, we got a guy who can play.
He's proven, but he's just got to plug into this machine.
He doesn't have to be the savior. And I wouldn't
look at him like that because I got guys in
(11:06):
this room, in this building that are the attitude, they
are the identity, and that's the difference. So and you're
gonna see that people are gonna they're not gonna be
enamored with him, they're gonna respect him. But this stealerway
is the stealerway that's already set. So yeah, now he
goes out there and he's making plays and he's he's
(11:26):
doing Aaron Rodgers stuff. It could change quickly. People could
look at him like, okay, all right, you're one of us.
Let's you set the tone now. But right now he's
just plugging into this machine.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
We talked about it a little bit last Swher whenever
we were sort of the gatherer over here at home
and stuff. How much do you enjoy being on TV
and seeing the game from another angle? Because I feel
like the NFL season of just pastas and and seeing
the Super Bowl in the Orleans is one thing, but
you have really seem to come into it over the
last year even more and the energy, the passion is there.
Just how much do you enjoy it? Because we've actually
(11:58):
completed the sky Sports, we've a need Phoebe, Jeff and
now yourself phone, so it's great to sort of complete
the Holy Unit and have you on as well.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
Yeah, so I love it. Obviously. I'm a fan of
the game. That's why I fell in love with it
as a player. When I was a kid, loved watching it.
Remember watching the New York Giants when I was young,
that Super Bowl team, and that's that's when I fell
in love with the game. So what I really appreciate
about football is how much you can learn, even though
(12:30):
you have tons of knowledge. Each year, I'm working on
something something specific about the game that I need to
learn more about, try to become an expert, because all
I'm trying to do is translate and simplify. But I
can only do that if I put in the work
in the same way I put into work every off season.
You know, how are teams playing, what's their philosophy? How
(12:51):
are they attacking this? You know, how are they defending that?
So I spend all off season trying to really figure
that out so when the season starts, I can then
articulate that as best and as best as I'm capable
of to the audience, because that's the key. And I
fell in love with that process. So when you see
the energy, it's it's it's like, oh my gosh, I've
(13:15):
seen this.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
This is so cool.
Speaker 4 (13:17):
Let me tell you about this thing. And that's how
I feel. You know, I'm just excited about how I
can see the puzzle all fitting together. And I'm talking
to that person at home that is as excited as me,
and the same person that's just trying to learn because
I'm that's what I'm trying to do. If you've ever
had a teacher that's excited about teaching, you probably like
the subject and and that's the way I approach you.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
I love it. I love it. I've got two quick
ones to finish up. First one, you know, sort of
just standing on the TV subject. You know, you've worked
on a number of channels in the UK and Ireland.
You know, just generally from when you get over here,
one thing hasra and me and to see him and
you talk about the stater away and you mentioned Coach
Tumblin a few moments ago. Coach Tumblin's been there from
the minute you stopped off the field and went on
(14:00):
to our airwaves over here. How impressed you or of
how impressed are you of him as a leader? I'm
just as a coach generally.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
There's so much you can learn from these NFL coaches.
And I am, obviously, like anybody else that's been around
the game, impressed by Mike Tomlin. For a couple of reasons.
He demands respect. He finds a way to reinvent not
only himself but the agenda by saying the same thing
over and over again. You know, like I have to
(14:27):
change things up every year for different players. But he
can do that, and that's the main thing that's very
difficult to do. You know, how many stories can you
tell over and over again. But he finds a way.
He makes he can articulate a goal clear and get
everybody on the same page. And if from any CEO,
(14:50):
whether it's a Fortune five hundred company or the CEO
of your household, if you can do that, people will follow.
And he does that well. He demands a certain the
amount of effort and attention and you understand what that
is as a team and as an individual. I need
you to do this and this is what this requires.
It's very clear. And you go out and do your
(15:12):
job and you respect people who who can tell you
things honestly that are that help you in the long run,
you know, and if they don't work out, you have
no one else to blame. And I think that's the
thing about him, man. He finds a way to win
tough games. You know, is gay And you know when
(15:33):
you talk about his record, no matter what team he
puts on the field, they play hard. So that's the
reason he's there. You got to give the Ruonies a
lot of credit because they they find a way to
find these coaches, you know, Like I mean, they make
great decisions obviously, and they stick behind their decisions in
their coaches. So yeah, I mean he's great to watch.
(15:56):
You have a lot of respect for him and what
he's done. He's one of the things I always look at.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Man.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
You look at his record. When when Brian Flores, you know,
was out the NFL and he had you know, he
had his issue in Miami and all the legal stuff.
You see what kind of coach he is. I mean,
he's probably one of the best defensive coordinators in the game.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Now.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
Mike Tomlin made sure he had a job that year.
He made sure he wasn't out of the NFL. He
kept him in the NFL because he knew you couldn't
let him just go disappear, and he didn't. Those kind
of decisions, that kind of forward thinking. That is a
man you have to respect, and he has the respect
(16:41):
of everyone because of the man he is.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
I love it. I could imagine I'm sitting here talking
about the ball to us as well. Mon just finally right,
we're coming to the middle to the end of July here,
and we were saying that just off camera it's getting close.
We're getting their month just under fifty days night to
the just the regular season starts. Give us your crystal ball.
How do you think we're gonna be in Dublin. We're
(17:07):
gonna be in Berlin, London, South Paolo. It's gonna be
fun seeing you guys in Dublin for this game. But
is it so hard to predict? Because that's the beauty
of it, Isn't it? Just don't know what's gonna happen.
But is there anything you can say right now? Maybe, Steeters?
Why is it you think could hop them this year?
Speaker 2 (17:21):
You know, I it's very hard to predict.
Speaker 4 (17:24):
And I'd say the more I know, the more difficult
it is. Because I have all these conflicting things in
my head. I have a lot of what ifs. You know,
I'm really interested in seeing exact First of all, let's
start with the international games. They're gonna be great like
this this the international Games will be outstanding. I mean,
(17:48):
this is where the game's going. I'm so excited with that.
But I'm also I can What I'm looking to see
is there's going to be a shift in the NFL
back to power running football. And I want to see
how that looks. Right, everything goes in waves, and right now,
I think we the teams that were dominant on offense
(18:11):
were teams that could run the ball. And I just
think we're gonna see a resurgence of the run game
and what that looks like. And it's I'm not this
is not you know, it's already happening, But that's gonna
be just so interesting. I think what is so great
is we are waiting in the AFC, man these quarterbacks, Like,
(18:34):
are we all just gonna wait for the playoffs to
see which one of these guys in the AFC can
do it?
Speaker 2 (18:38):
You know?
Speaker 4 (18:39):
I mean that that's that's so we we got that.
Who are the NFC guys like, what is what happens?
I mean, Jayden Daniels is unbelievable. I mean just you know,
I'm looking at Dak Prescott like can Dak? Can Dak
get back? You know, Candack can Dack? What's gonna happen?
So I would guess, I mean, I've I've skated away
(19:00):
from the prediction. But if I was to put it
and throw something out there, this might be Lamar's year.
This might be Lamar's year, This might this might be
Lamar's year. You know, he's getting close.
Speaker 3 (19:13):
I love how you're saying that on the Staters podcast,
and I'll just add that. Look, man, the AFC North
is going to be very very interesting.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
It's gonna be ours year.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
It's gonna be really interesting to see both teams come out,
So we will see, man, And I love the energy.
I love the fact that you're coming on here towards
the ener July when you should be just resting up
before you get back on again. So on behalf of
everyone listening to this. Thank you very much, and thank
you for what you've done to the game here to
get to this point. I'm sure a lot of Steelers
fans listening and NFL fans listening look forward to seeing
(19:42):
you back on screens in September, and obviously look forward
to seeing your face a bit like Calm Heyward when
he walked in the Crow Park for the first time.
Speaker 4 (19:49):
So, I mean, how cool was that? He's a baller? Yes,
thank you man, I appreciate Hi. We're gonna have a
good year.
Speaker 2 (19:57):
Man. This won't be the last time we talk, obviously.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
It's bell Thank you, sir.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
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
(20:31):
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.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome.
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