July 26, 2025 • 16 mins
This week, Michael is joined by former Steelers Quarterback Kordell Stewart, who stepped onto the hallowed turf of Croke Park on this date in 1997 to play in the American Bowl against the Chicago Bears. Kordell relives the game and talks about his hopes for the 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.
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, Hi folks, Welcome into this week's edition
(00:43):
of the Irish Steelers Podcast, presented by Erlingus. As training
camp got underway at Saint Vincent's College in La Trobe
in Pennsylvania, Michael McQuaid here, delighted to bring you some
action this week. Of course, we're presented by Erlingus.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Steelers Nation. It is time to take flight with aer Lingus,
an official airline partner of the Pittsburgh Staters and the
founding partner of Staeters Ireland. There's 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 plenty of room on board for
your terrible title, whether it's game day or a getaway.
(01:20):
Er Lingus looks forward to saying you're very welcome to
the players and fans of the Pittsburgh Staters. You can
book now at aerlingus dot com. Talking about the Staeters,
talking about training camp. Training camp got underway this week
at SIMPNS in College and I'm really excited to head
over next week Stage tum Or some content from the trope.
So excited to see the players, the staff, and just
(01:42):
to really get back into it again and just to
get over there. It's going to be fantastic. If you're
listening to this on Sunday, the twenty seventh, we're going
out on All Ireland Football Final day. Maybe you're driving
down from dunny Gall, maybe you're driving up from Carey
to Croke Park. And it's funny because ever since the
Staters end the market officially in Ireland back two or
(02:02):
three years ago, we've always sort of looked back on
this date and ironically this year, July the twenty seventh,
it coincides with the anniversary of the nineteen ninety seven
NFL American Bowl preseason game, which took place between the
Pittsburgh Staters and the Chicago Bears at the iconic Croke Park.
So it's just really fitting that on the biggest day
of the year in Croke Park for the GBA, that
(02:25):
we have, you know, the alaboratary of what really for
NFL fans in Ireland is such a momentous moment and
it's an honor this week to have one of the
guys that was on the field just walking out, running
out with the team, the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh
Staters in nineteen ninety seven, who was Cordell Stewart Slash
(02:46):
as we all know him. So, folks, whop you enjoy
the interview with Slash. He doesn't just talk about the
game of ninety seven, but he also talks around just
his thoughts for the season as well. On this week's
edition of the Irish Theaters podcast presented by Ironings, as
we celebrate the anniversary of the Pittsburgh Staiers last game
(03:10):
in Dublin, in nineteen ninety seven. This weekend, it's no
better than to have the guy that was under center slashed.
On the Irish Theaters podcast Cordella's Stewart Man, it is
good to talk to you again. How are you doing?
Speaker 3 (03:22):
You good? I'm doll good. I'm out here on driving range.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
As you can see, I'm I'm sweating as if I
was at summer camp or something like that.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Right, but I'm real good. Can't complain, brother, Just getting
now the house, taking it easy, getting some golf balls
and having a chance to talk about a moment in
time that was seemed like it was a long time ago,
but it wasn't really wasn't that far away.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Let's go back to just a call of well about
a year and a half ago, and now you're the
chance to come over to Dublin again and see the stadium,
and you know, a lot has changed since that. Obviously
the game has now been announced for you as somebody
that obviously played in that previous game. How cool is
that to see the game hopping and night and obviously
playing Minnesota as well.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
I think it's awesome. Actually, I just from what I
can remember from coming back last time a year or
so ago. The stadium has been filled in a little bit.
There's been some development around the stadium far as more
bodies of being being able to put in be put
into the stadium. It wasn't as closed off as it
is now. It's a little bit more open, I think.
(04:25):
I think on both fans it was open, I think
if I remember correctly. But uh, they've done a great
job of keeping the sports relevant there, considering the great
things for sports are concerned this team, what's the real
what's the game you guys have there on Villan?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
What is the main sport for you? Is rugby? What
is it?
Speaker 2 (04:43):
I'm glad you mentioned that. So yes, rugby's popular, but
we've got Gaelic football and hurling, which is ironically the
final is taking place on Sunday the twenty seventh, which
is to see them did as you guys stewed it
up and went in the field. So yeah, will be
in the cride in September.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
That's a so we you know, considering the changes, uh,
from identifying when you guys were accustomed to far us
your sport is concerned and what we have in the US,
and of course the Rooney family having a connection with
the community there. It was, it was, it was, it
was fitting, if you will, having a chance to win
the Crystal Ball the football itself to you know, that's
(05:21):
where what is it Waterford Crystal is is originated right
there out of Ireland. And to be able to get
that trophy for the first time for the Rooney family
and for the Steels organization and bring it back to Pittsburgh,
it was fitting within itself. But that was my first
opportunity to start in the National Football League, being proclaimed
as the starter and end up having a great run
(05:43):
with players like the Lebron Kirklands.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
And the Greg Lloyd's and Jerome Bettisons and uh the.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
Cornell Lakes Rain Lloyd's if I mentioned both of them,
the Money Dawphins, you know, players like that. So it
was the Lake Charles Johnson who was with me at
the university called Joe Steed, who was a nose guard
that was with me at the University of Colorado.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
So it was Tim Lester, late Tim Lester. It was
a fullback for Jerome.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
So we we really had a great run and uh,
from what I remember, it was it was a great time.
Went to the hospital there out to see the kids
had a chance to playing golf with Mike Tomzak and
Coach Coward and all that fun stuff right off the
water with the lighthouse right there, and you know, it
was just it was just a wonderful time for a
(06:30):
little young cup coming out of college, having a chance
to be on the road and travel abroad just to play.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
The child is in fun Dame of golf.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
It was very different to what the preseason is not
in the sense because you guys, I think had a
sort of a joint camp of the Bears a lot
of that week. What was that like as well? Like
it was almost like a little training camp in that sense.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
It was it was we had a chance to to
practice against I think was the Bears against the Bears, Yeah,
and I think at wanted the schools if I can
remember correctly, But you know, it was it was a
it was a typical day have worked for us as Steelers.
You know, we were We're an organization that there that
strived on the standard and strived on being able to
(07:12):
do things a certain type of a way. So regardless
of who we practice against, it rather it's ourselves against
someone else. Preseason, regular season, postseason. It was always the
same because we had to do things a certain way,
and uh, ding it a certain way allows you to
get to brief the benefits uh for being steady and
efficient with how you work.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
So it didn't matter where we was.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Honestly, Uh, we were gonna get it done, and uh
we ended up having a chance to do. But it
kind of had a camp field, so to speak. To
answer your question, because I think we were just we
were still in camp at the time. If I remember,
right at first preseason game, it's always around, it's it's
during camp. So it was kind of still in camp
modes a bit, and uh, it was business as usual.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Look, and just sort of flash forward to when you
came back. Were you surprised at just how much has
grown since in terms of the game everything else, like
the fact that the game has sold out that that
was not the case in the nineties. It's completely changed.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah, it's it's well, here's the thing is, is the
fan base there are in tune to the game of football. Okay,
it's not like it's something that came from another world. Truthfully,
I think the origin of this of this organization family
was right there in that part of the country in Ireland.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
So the connection.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
To the Pittsburgh Steelers was very big even before we
had a chance to come to Ireland. But to see
it the way it was far as the fan base,
the recognition, the excitement, the anticipation, it was all there.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
You know.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
I'm sure once the Stillers get there and feel like
a home game, I'm sure playing against Minnesota, you know
that's it's any team we played in the National Football
League is always a great game. But it's really about
out And then I'm about to say us, as if
I'm still playing, still about us, right, we go to
take care business represent the way we know how, get
(09:08):
a chance to bring the trophy home and go from here.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
And it's funny you said, like, look, i know you're
not part of the roster anymore, but come the end,
come the end of September, there's only been two guys
under center starting in these games and the South and
then potentially we'll see what happens Aaron Rodgers, And do
you still keep up with it religiously to the point
where you're seeing the Steers right now? In terms of
obviously Aran Rodgers coming in, We've seen this weekend so
(09:33):
many people going to the Trope. It seems like a
very exciting time for the team on at the minute.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
There it is.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
It's that time of the season. And then to have
someone like Aaron Rodgers, who was a future Hall of
Famer filling that void that we had trying to find
out who would be the next guy up waited pretty
much the entire offseason, let alone the summer, especially this summer,
not north of Syvey is going to retire if it
was going to come back and play, and obviously coming
back to play, it's really good for the organization, a
(10:02):
sense of stability at that position. You have to take
its veteran leadership into context, if you will, to say
that there's a chances this team can truly compete without
that division, because if you think about it, with Lamar
and Joe Burrow and not known for sure what's going
to take place in Cleveland, it gives us a fighting
(10:22):
chance to have, you know, to do something really really good,
and you can't do not a way to be excited.
The additions we have in the secondary to wide receiver.
I mean, there's so many names that I can't remember
right now to say, but I remember the faces and
if you said them, I'll say, yeah, you're right, I
got you, uh can of dea. But you know, we
we've we've we've we've really put ourselves in a position
(10:44):
to succeed and coach Mike Tomlin and the admin part
of the of the organization administration side, if I have done
a really good job of trying to implement a standard
that's not hasty and decision making, but very diligent in
their decision making.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
The spot on I've got two very quick ones to
finish off. I know you're about to get in the
golf course.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Again.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Just for people listening to this, it's one thing like, look,
we can talk about nine seven, we can talk about
your time in the league, but just Janity, what was
it like to run on the field that previously heinz field,
not in Iika sure as that starting quarterback under center.
I'm just having that, you know in your head when
you run on What was the sort of the memories
that I like for you?
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Well, you know, again, that was one of another first
time moments for myself and I think all of the
organization and players on that team in two thousand and one,
that was our first time getting on the field and
having a chance to score the first touchdown in there
and being the first quarterback to start there in that stadium.
Wanted to make it as memorable as possible. I thought
(11:47):
we did. We came up short playing against New England
and that AFC championship games.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
You know, wish we all could have them back, but you.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Got to keep it where it is. Is just allow of
stories to be told the right way. And I thought
that year going thirteen and three, and you asked about me,
I don't. I don't like to do it too too often,
but I'll do it now because he gave me infermission,
so to speak, becoming the MVP of the team that year,
most viva player in the conference, you know, Pro Bowl,
making it to the AFC Championship game, which is which
(12:16):
is not enough. But you know, as you get older,
you start appreciating those moments, and those were moments in
that season, playing with the Jason Gildens and the Joey
Porters and all those guys is James Ferrier and Chris Fu,
Matu mal Falla brother food AMers their Way and Bobby Shaw,
all those dudes man and the offensive line, the cast
of players up front.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
It was. It was remarkable to say the least.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
And to see that now that the stadium Macrosure Stadium,
it's what over twenty years old. You know that time
has flown by to where you have to assume there's
gonna be some renovations in the new stadium on the horizon,
probably within the next fifteen twenty years. You never know,
because when it comes down to the evolution of science
and let alone dot com or what is it the
(13:02):
computer era, if you will, it's you gotta evolve. And
that was once a brand new stadium now is one
of the stadiums of all the National Football League that
everyone loves to have an opportunity to playing, just as
he did once before when it came down the three rivers.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Just finally, month, just finally. What was it like? You know,
if you had the sum up it in a sentence,
what coach Carr was like for you, how would you
describe him?
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Cox Karra was a special man with how he he
was able to get the guy's attention.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
He did regardless, you know, whatever he needed to do
to win.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
He didn't care to be honest with you, and he
wasn't concerned about nothing else but getting w's in that city.
I think cos kyro is from Pittsburgh, so you know
the pressure that he was under making sure that he
did it the right way and a sense of winning
and not anything else, and he ended up getting him.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
I wanted to give him an opportunity to get a
Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
We came close a couple of times with me at
starting quarterback and another time as a rookie playe slash
in nineteen ninety five against Dallas and came up short.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
But he ended up getting in one. I think in four.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
I think it was and rightfully so deserving of one,
and playing for him was a blast.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
He gave me my would giving me a chance I
had to.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Earn it and keep it, and the chance to be
slash in the midst of it all something that no
one at that time, and the body of working, the
amount of it, the volume of it, no one's ever
seen that before.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
We did it right there in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
And look at the game today, right because of that
chance and taking advantage of it, the games today looked
just like what it once.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Did with me at the starring quarterback.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
So I like to say some of the the excitement
and some of that fiber of today's game, especially at
that position with it was Car giving me that opportunity.
And you say, as a former player of the game,
I'm proud to see it and know that their work
was not done in vain, and and that's consumed to
(15:00):
continue to see it do it and continue to see
it be done. But because Carl was, he was very
good for us, and he knew how to press the
buttons and knew how to take his finger off of us.
So I think that's why he was so successful as
a head coach for the Pittsburgh Still.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Well, look Forrredal. You're talking about moments. I know myself
and a lot of people here will not only remember
ninety seven, but I remember the time he took a
couple of years ago to come into the stadium and
talk to people, because that really was the start of.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
A new era.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
And we've seen what's happened since. So thank you very
much for what you've done. And who knows, Mida will
see in Dublin at some point, but thank you very
much for coming on here. I will trot decent.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Yeah, man, I'll tell you what last time I was there.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
When we came, I had a chance to get a
Guinness glass of Guinness, and it was the best I've
ever tasted, and I'm looking forward to taste it some
morning when I come back. A great time, and you
guys take care of talk to you guys.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
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
(16:26):
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, Hi folks, Welcome into this week's edition
(00:43):
of the Irish Steelers Podcast, presented by Erlingus. As training
camp got underway at Saint Vincent's College in La Trobe
in Pennsylvania, Michael McQuaid here, delighted to bring you some
action this week. Of course, we're presented by Erlingus.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Steelers Nation. It is time to take flight with aer Lingus,
an official airline partner of the Pittsburgh Staters and the
founding partner of Staeters Ireland. There's 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 plenty of room on board for
your terrible title, whether it's game day or a getaway.
(01:20):
Er Lingus looks forward to saying you're very welcome to
the players and fans of the Pittsburgh Staters. You can
book now at aerlingus dot com. Talking about the Staeters,
talking about training camp. Training camp got underway this week
at SIMPNS in College and I'm really excited to head
over next week Stage tum Or some content from the trope.
So excited to see the players, the staff, and just
(01:42):
to really get back into it again and just to
get over there. It's going to be fantastic. If you're
listening to this on Sunday, the twenty seventh, we're going
out on All Ireland Football Final day. Maybe you're driving
down from dunny Gall, maybe you're driving up from Carey
to Croke Park. And it's funny because ever since the
Staters end the market officially in Ireland back two or
(02:02):
three years ago, we've always sort of looked back on
this date and ironically this year, July the twenty seventh,
it coincides with the anniversary of the nineteen ninety seven
NFL American Bowl preseason game, which took place between the
Pittsburgh Staters and the Chicago Bears at the iconic Croke Park.
So it's just really fitting that on the biggest day
of the year in Croke Park for the GBA, that
(02:25):
we have, you know, the alaboratary of what really for
NFL fans in Ireland is such a momentous moment and
it's an honor this week to have one of the
guys that was on the field just walking out, running
out with the team, the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh
Staters in nineteen ninety seven, who was Cordell Stewart Slash
(02:46):
as we all know him. So, folks, whop you enjoy
the interview with Slash. He doesn't just talk about the
game of ninety seven, but he also talks around just
his thoughts for the season as well. On this week's
edition of the Irish Theaters podcast presented by Ironings, as
we celebrate the anniversary of the Pittsburgh Staiers last game
(03:10):
in Dublin, in nineteen ninety seven. This weekend, it's no
better than to have the guy that was under center slashed.
On the Irish Theaters podcast Cordella's Stewart Man, it is
good to talk to you again. How are you doing?
Speaker 3 (03:22):
You good? I'm doll good. I'm out here on driving range.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
As you can see, I'm I'm sweating as if I
was at summer camp or something like that.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Right, but I'm real good. Can't complain, brother, Just getting
now the house, taking it easy, getting some golf balls
and having a chance to talk about a moment in
time that was seemed like it was a long time ago,
but it wasn't really wasn't that far away.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Let's go back to just a call of well about
a year and a half ago, and now you're the
chance to come over to Dublin again and see the stadium,
and you know, a lot has changed since that. Obviously
the game has now been announced for you as somebody
that obviously played in that previous game. How cool is
that to see the game hopping and night and obviously
playing Minnesota as well.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
I think it's awesome. Actually, I just from what I
can remember from coming back last time a year or
so ago. The stadium has been filled in a little bit.
There's been some development around the stadium far as more
bodies of being being able to put in be put
into the stadium. It wasn't as closed off as it
is now. It's a little bit more open, I think.
(04:25):
I think on both fans it was open, I think
if I remember correctly. But uh, they've done a great
job of keeping the sports relevant there, considering the great
things for sports are concerned this team, what's the real
what's the game you guys have there on Villan?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
What is the main sport for you? Is rugby? What
is it?
Speaker 2 (04:43):
I'm glad you mentioned that. So yes, rugby's popular, but
we've got Gaelic football and hurling, which is ironically the
final is taking place on Sunday the twenty seventh, which
is to see them did as you guys stewed it
up and went in the field. So yeah, will be
in the cride in September.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
That's a so we you know, considering the changes, uh,
from identifying when you guys were accustomed to far us
your sport is concerned and what we have in the US,
and of course the Rooney family having a connection with
the community there. It was, it was, it was, it
was fitting, if you will, having a chance to win
the Crystal Ball the football itself to you know, that's
(05:21):
where what is it Waterford Crystal is is originated right
there out of Ireland. And to be able to get
that trophy for the first time for the Rooney family
and for the Steels organization and bring it back to Pittsburgh,
it was fitting within itself. But that was my first
opportunity to start in the National Football League, being proclaimed
as the starter and end up having a great run
(05:43):
with players like the Lebron Kirklands.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
And the Greg Lloyd's and Jerome Bettisons and uh the.
Speaker 4 (05:51):
Cornell Lakes Rain Lloyd's if I mentioned both of them,
the Money Dawphins, you know, players like that. So it
was the Lake Charles Johnson who was with me at
the university called Joe Steed, who was a nose guard
that was with me at the University of Colorado.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
So it was Tim Lester, late Tim Lester. It was
a fullback for Jerome.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
So we we really had a great run and uh,
from what I remember, it was it was a great time.
Went to the hospital there out to see the kids
had a chance to playing golf with Mike Tomzak and
Coach Coward and all that fun stuff right off the
water with the lighthouse right there, and you know, it
was just it was just a wonderful time for a
(06:30):
little young cup coming out of college, having a chance
to be on the road and travel abroad just to play.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
The child is in fun Dame of golf.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
It was very different to what the preseason is not
in the sense because you guys, I think had a
sort of a joint camp of the Bears a lot
of that week. What was that like as well? Like
it was almost like a little training camp in that sense.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
It was it was we had a chance to to
practice against I think was the Bears against the Bears, Yeah,
and I think at wanted the schools if I can
remember correctly, But you know, it was it was a
it was a typical day have worked for us as Steelers.
You know, we were We're an organization that there that
strived on the standard and strived on being able to
(07:12):
do things a certain type of a way. So regardless
of who we practice against, it rather it's ourselves against
someone else. Preseason, regular season, postseason. It was always the
same because we had to do things a certain way,
and uh, ding it a certain way allows you to
get to brief the benefits uh for being steady and
efficient with how you work.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
So it didn't matter where we was.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Honestly, Uh, we were gonna get it done, and uh
we ended up having a chance to do. But it
kind of had a camp field, so to speak. To
answer your question, because I think we were just we
were still in camp at the time. If I remember,
right at first preseason game, it's always around, it's it's
during camp. So it was kind of still in camp
modes a bit, and uh, it was business as usual.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Look, and just sort of flash forward to when you
came back. Were you surprised at just how much has
grown since in terms of the game everything else, like
the fact that the game has sold out that that
was not the case in the nineties. It's completely changed.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Yeah, it's it's well, here's the thing is, is the
fan base there are in tune to the game of football. Okay,
it's not like it's something that came from another world. Truthfully,
I think the origin of this of this organization family
was right there in that part of the country in Ireland.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
So the connection.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
To the Pittsburgh Steelers was very big even before we
had a chance to come to Ireland. But to see
it the way it was far as the fan base,
the recognition, the excitement, the anticipation, it was all there.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
You know.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
I'm sure once the Stillers get there and feel like
a home game, I'm sure playing against Minnesota, you know
that's it's any team we played in the National Football
League is always a great game. But it's really about
out And then I'm about to say us, as if
I'm still playing, still about us, right, we go to
take care business represent the way we know how, get
(09:08):
a chance to bring the trophy home and go from here.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
And it's funny you said, like, look, i know you're
not part of the roster anymore, but come the end,
come the end of September, there's only been two guys
under center starting in these games and the South and
then potentially we'll see what happens Aaron Rodgers, And do
you still keep up with it religiously to the point
where you're seeing the Steers right now? In terms of
obviously Aran Rodgers coming in, We've seen this weekend so
(09:33):
many people going to the Trope. It seems like a
very exciting time for the team on at the minute.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
There it is.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
It's that time of the season. And then to have
someone like Aaron Rodgers, who was a future Hall of
Famer filling that void that we had trying to find
out who would be the next guy up waited pretty
much the entire offseason, let alone the summer, especially this summer,
not north of Syvey is going to retire if it
was going to come back and play, and obviously coming
back to play, it's really good for the organization, a
(10:02):
sense of stability at that position. You have to take
its veteran leadership into context, if you will, to say
that there's a chances this team can truly compete without
that division, because if you think about it, with Lamar
and Joe Burrow and not known for sure what's going
to take place in Cleveland, it gives us a fighting
(10:22):
chance to have, you know, to do something really really good,
and you can't do not a way to be excited.
The additions we have in the secondary to wide receiver.
I mean, there's so many names that I can't remember
right now to say, but I remember the faces and
if you said them, I'll say, yeah, you're right, I
got you, uh can of dea. But you know, we
we've we've we've we've really put ourselves in a position
(10:44):
to succeed and coach Mike Tomlin and the admin part
of the of the organization administration side, if I have done
a really good job of trying to implement a standard
that's not hasty and decision making, but very diligent in
their decision making.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
The spot on I've got two very quick ones to
finish off. I know you're about to get in the
golf course.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
Again.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Just for people listening to this, it's one thing like, look,
we can talk about nine seven, we can talk about
your time in the league, but just Janity, what was
it like to run on the field that previously heinz field,
not in Iika sure as that starting quarterback under center.
I'm just having that, you know in your head when
you run on What was the sort of the memories
that I like for you?
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Well, you know, again, that was one of another first
time moments for myself and I think all of the
organization and players on that team in two thousand and one,
that was our first time getting on the field and
having a chance to score the first touchdown in there
and being the first quarterback to start there in that stadium.
Wanted to make it as memorable as possible. I thought
(11:47):
we did. We came up short playing against New England
and that AFC championship games.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
You know, wish we all could have them back, but you.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Got to keep it where it is. Is just allow of
stories to be told the right way. And I thought
that year going thirteen and three, and you asked about me,
I don't. I don't like to do it too too often,
but I'll do it now because he gave me infermission,
so to speak, becoming the MVP of the team that year,
most viva player in the conference, you know, Pro Bowl,
making it to the AFC Championship game, which is which
(12:16):
is not enough. But you know, as you get older,
you start appreciating those moments, and those were moments in
that season, playing with the Jason Gildens and the Joey
Porters and all those guys is James Ferrier and Chris Fu,
Matu mal Falla brother food AMers their Way and Bobby Shaw,
all those dudes man and the offensive line, the cast
of players up front.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
It was. It was remarkable to say the least.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
And to see that now that the stadium Macrosure Stadium,
it's what over twenty years old. You know that time
has flown by to where you have to assume there's
gonna be some renovations in the new stadium on the horizon,
probably within the next fifteen twenty years. You never know,
because when it comes down to the evolution of science
and let alone dot com or what is it the
(13:02):
computer era, if you will, it's you gotta evolve. And
that was once a brand new stadium now is one
of the stadiums of all the National Football League that
everyone loves to have an opportunity to playing, just as
he did once before when it came down the three rivers.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Just finally, month, just finally. What was it like? You know,
if you had the sum up it in a sentence,
what coach Carr was like for you, how would you
describe him?
Speaker 4 (13:27):
Cox Karra was a special man with how he he
was able to get the guy's attention.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
He did regardless, you know, whatever he needed to do
to win.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
He didn't care to be honest with you, and he
wasn't concerned about nothing else but getting w's in that city.
I think cos kyro is from Pittsburgh, so you know
the pressure that he was under making sure that he
did it the right way and a sense of winning
and not anything else, and he ended up getting him.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
I wanted to give him an opportunity to get a
Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
We came close a couple of times with me at
starting quarterback and another time as a rookie playe slash
in nineteen ninety five against Dallas and came up short.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
But he ended up getting in one. I think in four.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
I think it was and rightfully so deserving of one,
and playing for him was a blast.
Speaker 3 (14:13):
He gave me my would giving me a chance I
had to.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Earn it and keep it, and the chance to be
slash in the midst of it all something that no
one at that time, and the body of working, the
amount of it, the volume of it, no one's ever
seen that before.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
We did it right there in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
And look at the game today, right because of that
chance and taking advantage of it, the games today looked
just like what it once.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Did with me at the starring quarterback.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
So I like to say some of the the excitement
and some of that fiber of today's game, especially at
that position with it was Car giving me that opportunity.
And you say, as a former player of the game,
I'm proud to see it and know that their work
was not done in vain, and and that's consumed to
(15:00):
continue to see it do it and continue to see
it be done. But because Carl was, he was very
good for us, and he knew how to press the
buttons and knew how to take his finger off of us.
So I think that's why he was so successful as
a head coach for the Pittsburgh Still.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Well, look Forrredal. You're talking about moments. I know myself
and a lot of people here will not only remember
ninety seven, but I remember the time he took a
couple of years ago to come into the stadium and
talk to people, because that really was the start of.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
A new era.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
And we've seen what's happened since. So thank you very
much for what you've done. And who knows, Mida will
see in Dublin at some point, but thank you very
much for coming on here. I will trot decent.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Yeah, man, I'll tell you what last time I was there.
Speaker 4 (15:35):
When we came, I had a chance to get a
Guinness glass of Guinness, and it was the best I've
ever tasted, and I'm looking forward to taste it some
morning when I come back. A great time, and you
guys take care of talk to you guys.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
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
(16:26):
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.
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