October 8, 2025 • 37 mins
Michael is joined by Steelers legend Max Starks to reminisce on his Terrible Towel Tour of Ireland – and to look ahead to Week 6! Watch the Steelers take on the Browns on NFL Game Pass on DAZN this Sunday, or listen on OTB Sports Radio.
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Episode Transcript
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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.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Hey, everybody, welcome into the Irish Staters podcast presented by Erlingus,
our first sort of main podcast since well, unless you've
been living under some sort of rock or having on
the internet. The Steelers game to Dublin triumphally beat the
Vikings have had a bye week. We're going in the
week six now. The one guy, I really one of
the one with a guy has now officially seen more
(01:01):
of the island of Ireland than I have I thought
is Max Starks. You're very welcome. You were very welcome
to Arland as well.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
How are you doing. I'm doing good. And and Mike,
I think I'll just change my name to Max Mick Starks.
So we'll we'll, we'll, we'll go from there. I tried,
oh Starks, it didn't really didn't really flow as well.
It's not as cool as like Barack Obama. You know,
you know, you don't have it. So I figure Mix
Starks is a good start for me. I've now become
(01:30):
the unofficial Steelers Ambassador to Ireland. I'm just gonna go
ahead and and and put that out there. Uh, not
to be confused with Ambassador Rooney and what he did
for our our our government and for the m for
the Emerald AU. But it was. It was absolutely amazing, Mick.
I mean to go to eight different counties in four
days and visit the vast amount of fans that we
(01:52):
got to touch and soon to be fans at the time,
and I'm sure we probably converted them as they watched
the game and realized on the right side of history.
With taking the terrible towels that we distributed and waving
them proudly. They realized they had a championship tow a
winner's towel in their hand, and it was not a
dishreg a couple people try to use as a dishreg.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Oh, there's somewhat stu impack from that. Like first off,
before we even talk about that, it was like, it
was funny. It just sums up Dublin in a sense.
I think I walked into a borrow one night and
seeing you got the chat here for thirty zac and
s a minute in the hectic week.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Just brilliant to see.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
You guys over here but not just come over but
actually do so much stuff. And you talk about mister
Rooney there, I know he would be very, very proud
of what the team has done over the last few weeks.
Before we talk about the terrible towel situation and that
whole tour, what was it like for you, especially whenever
you got to Dublin and we're able not to relax,
(02:50):
but able to be like, right, this is happening. I mean,
did it like for me? It obviously meant an awful
lot in the personal level, but it definitely max exceeded
my expectation in regards to highcro Park. Looked the amounted
staters fans that We've seen a lot more Vikings fans
in London last weekend than we've probably seen in Dublin.
It was almost like a proper Theaters home game, undead
(03:12):
the highest attendance first theaters game outside of Akrascher ever,
I'm glad to believe.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, no, absolutely, and you're absolutely correct. We haven't had
that type of neutral site venue with that. I mean
you're talking about Croke Park, which normally seats eighty three thousand,
got retro fitted for our game in that Hill sixteen side.
See huh still remember the hill side of the stadium.
You've got it, You got it and made it seventy
(03:39):
five thousand. So it took down that capacity because that's
usually a standing room area, and that is the largest
because it is larger than Afrosure you know when you
think about it, and to have the turnout to transform
that stadium into Akrosure East is fantastic and phenomen I
(04:00):
mean from all of the badging, having Larry Richard there
as the PA announcer and just everything around it, playing
Renegade in the fourth quarter, it was just it gave
you all the feels of being at home. I think
that's why we had such a high international I guess
(04:20):
because it's in Dublin, so international presence of Americans coming
from the States to Dublin. And really it gives a
great case study for the NFL to show that you
can pick cities like Dublin where people feel safe, they
are they're welcomed, there is fun, there's pure excitement. The
(04:41):
Irish hospitality that you always hear about, that warmth of
Ireland just shine through it every moment. I mean, you
had guys walking the streets with their families, and yeah,
you got stopped by some of the fanatical fans, but
you never felt uncomfortable. You never felt like, oh my god,
I can't go here. I mean, you know, one night,
I think I had my kids out at like eleven
o'clock because we had had a late dinner and we
(05:04):
went and got some gelato afterwards, and it was perfectly fine.
Now mind you, that's prime pub hours because we were
right by Temple Bar. But everybody was respectful, there was
no arguing, there was no fights, and everybody just was
joyous in the moment. I thought that was really special
and the country of Ireland just did a tremendous job
(05:24):
of the hospitality and the welcoming of the NFL.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
As a former player at first and foremost seeing what
the Viking's done in terms of going out there and
then going to London. Look, I know this is a
team podcast, but I think from a fan's viewpoint first
and foremost definitely myself, you expect to see that as
a norm in the future, and I know many Theedars
fans will be listening to discreaming Okay, well let's go
over as in the way it see Megain. I think
Dublin definitely has put itself in a conversation anyway. It
(05:51):
would be great to have them back again within this pricing.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Oh my gosh, listen, I think what green Bay has
the market as well? Who else am I thinking.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Of as so obviously the main teams Theaters, Jigs, Green Bay,
and the Chiefs the Jets. I feel like that's correct.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Many I could definitely play the Jets and IRA don't
feel bad about that. But I mean, but the good
thing is, like you said, Jets, Jags and Chiefs AFC teams,
teams that you could get on a rotating basis that
wouldn't necessarily be it would be your featured division in
a season just like the Vikings or the future divisions
(06:31):
out of conference for us. So the fact that you
can have potential of that, because if not, if you're
waiting for the Vikings or Green Bay or somebody, it's
every four years that you're that away team for them,
unless you get a one off from the NFL that
seventeenth game. But the better odds would be Jags, Jets, Chiefs,
because you know you would get there more frequently. And yeah,
(06:55):
oh my god, would I jump at the opportunity Even
if we didn't I have a terrible towel tour because
we'reth the away team, I would still probably still get
there on Monday and just do all of my shows
from some pub Kennedy's probably, or fitz Simon's who did
a great job, or some of the other pubs. I mean,
I might even go back to Gork and do it
from Heart's Pub. It was an awesome time.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Oh my gosh, I promise you one question before we
talked about this terrible tal one more question we It
was not even a question, it's more just of a conversation.
And had the chance I left, I was obviously on
TV walked out done the end of our Rogers Press.
I think it was the last player walked out, walked
on the tunnel and seen all you guys, and I
(07:42):
thought it was a really cool moment, just seeing the
team obviously very happy from winning, but seeing him get
onto the bus coach Tomlin, et cetera. You must have
been exhausted that point, surely, yeah, come on, like, yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
It was. It was. It was the end to a
very long week. It was enjoyable, but you're right. The
snooze hours were not comparable to the awake hours that
I did. But I will say this, losing that type
of sleep, I was like, you can sleep when you're dead.
That was an amazing opportunity, once in a lifetime opportunity
(08:17):
to go over to a foreign country. One that's been
on my bucket list was traveling to Ireland to see
it to the degree that I did, and be as
received and just to go through that whole experience. I mean,
you know, getting to meet Dairy FC football club, right,
getting to meet Munster and their rugby team, getting to
(08:39):
meet in Killarney and play with some hurling kids. It
was just seeing kill Kenny Castle, the Cliffs of More,
the legendary of Dairy.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
I'm on, I've lived here for over thirty years. I've
never been to the cliffs and more as well, I
hope to give it to you for play. You've seen
more to that in the meat and the thing that
the really important thing that you've mentioned counties, right, But
you guys were driving through way more than that as well,
so you've seen a lot. Like so I mentioned some
places there. You fly in to Dublin and then you
(09:10):
go straight with Canty and then Killarney. You know me,
Patty Clifford and Killarney. I know I noticed Sam Magar.
We didn't make an appearance, but Potty seemed in good
form to try try and remember even though it was
two weeks ago, like the chronological order of how that went,
And is there any stories that we haven't heard of yet.
Did you stop off at the filling station to get
a chicken fillip roll or anything or what was the plan?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
I'm glad you mentioned that, because yes, I did stop
at a couple of filling stations. I had had two
Chicken filet rolls on my on my on my journey,
one of them being when we left Belfast. That's probably
my favorite one. And it was like and the gas
stations look like travel plazas in America, like they do.
They're not just a petrol station you pull up, you
(09:52):
gas up in like some CD you know store with
all kinds of bobbles in it. But I mean it's
like a full proper food court, kids play place, like
kids stopped there for lunch, like there was a lot
of primary school kids running through, like the little ballpit
and everything. It was. It was amazing. But no, we
so mandon Dublin. Thirty minutes in Dublin at the hotel room,
(10:13):
changed packed the bag head to kill Kenny Castle and
kill Kenny. From Kill Kenny, drive to Kilarney. Like you said,
met potty Clifford met met two youth leagues, one for hurling.
That's where I learned how to hurl, and that's where
I have my beautiful hurling sticks. There we go right there,
Nation is.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
The question is can you do it? Can you still hurt?
Of even practice? Since I have not practices.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
I've only been home for about twenty seven hours, so
I promise I will once I get caught up on
my sleep. But so we practiced practice hurling. Then we
went Killarney. Rugby went with them and they kind of
showed me about the whole lift and everything else, trying
to trying to swap the rugby ball away from him.
It was it was very bad attempt. Went to J.
(10:57):
M Ready's there and and poured my friend first guinness pint.
Got my first perfect poor certificate at jam Reedy's, a
very old historical bar there in Killarney. Stayed there the night.
Next morning drove up to Limerick, went to University of
Limerick and also visited with Munster Rugby. They're on the
same campus you met.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
You met Steelers Funds in Limerick that this will surprise me.
Steelers genuine lives, wrap them up in Steers.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Yeah, like walking up Steelers jerseys, Steeler sweaters, one sweatshirts.
One girl was like, oh my god, why are you
guys here. I I'm from swiss Vale. I was like, what,
You're from Swissville going to school at the University of Limerick.
So it was just it was fantastic to engage with
students on a random day and their their team is
(11:44):
the Vikings. Funny enough, but they're they're the Blue Vikings,
not the Purple Vikings.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
On the and I will say I will say, very
very good people, Liam Ryan, the ul Vikings lovely, lovely
people and that would have meant a lot to the NBC.
You guys in Limerick, seriously.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Yeah, and we had a blast there. We took a
picture with them with their banner and everything at the end.
Then went over to Monster Rugby, addressed the team, obviously,
did a jersey exchange with Sean Casey. He's stood on
he stood on the bench. It was hilarious because we
took the first picture and he was like, no way, nope, nope, nope,
He's like waving it off and he's like, stands on
(12:20):
the bench. Now, this is right. We took the picture,
so we got we we haven't distributed the actual hype
differential videos with him actually standing on the ground. Then
went out and tossed the ball out with ty Burns
for a little bit and he showed me the proper
form on on on how on how to pass and
lateral Do you know, just.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Just just just a casual yeah, typer and yeah, just yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Exactly, you know, hey, just he's just he's just a guy.
He's just a guy. He just happens to be one
of the best in rugby and all the Island world.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Yeah, well I will say this on It's something like
I obviously live up north, so I I hear you
to a place called Gort in County Galway. Right, I'm like,
what's going? Like? Did this mo almost be racked for
a start for a plan of him Hearts Pub talks
to me about this and talks to me about white
because like I want to those about is this like
a Cedar's pub in Galway or what's the crocker?
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Yeah? It is so So after we left Limerick we
hit the Cliffs of More and that was absolutely breathtaking.
And then we drive to Gork and we're in like
this little town square because you don't have most like
the smaller towns around Ireland. Like you drive in there's
a big central square, get the four exits off, and
then kind of you go off to the homes like
(13:35):
this is the this is where the market is, hardware store,
this is where everything is. And then right on the
side street right there black and Goal Hearts Pub And
when we pull up there are like forty people outside.
They're like we've been here all day and we've been
waiting for you. We can't wait. You walk in it's
like walking into your uncle's man cave basement, like over
(13:59):
over and over over in like the south Side, like
south Side flats, like you know, it's just it is
a very homely. There's video, there's there's Steelers videos playing
on replay in the corner on the big screen. They've
got all kinds of Steelers, pale of paraphernalia on the walls,
because we obviously know you can only tell an Irish
(14:20):
pub by how many photos and paraphernalias hanging from the
walls and the ceilings. That's where you know you're in
a real Irish pub if it has clean walls. Don't
drink the guinness there, right, you know what I'm saying.
This was pat chalked full of all kinds of memorabilia,
and the and the people there were just amazing. Karen Hart,
her son in law, he was he's a huge Steeler
fan as well, but he was also a Florida Gator fan,
(14:42):
so he had a Steeler sweatshirt on and then he
had a Gator's polo underneath it. As we show up
in this bar and it was just it felt like home.
We spent about two and a half hours there. I
poured way too many guinnesses and and and and opened
a bunch of siders and different bottle beers that and
I care to remember by being behind the and just
had a good time just hanging out and it was
(15:03):
a comfortable, familiar environment, So it was amazing. That was
a nice little departure for us before we actually got
into Galway City proper.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Galway City, slide goo up to the northwest in Derry
and then I get to meet you in Belfast. Yeah,
that was really cool because I've obviously been looked very
look you just chatty before, but to meet you, like
for people that aren't to wear Max is a giant.
I'm looking up at him like how's it going, man,
what's the crack? And I was like this man, you
literally just arrived before. I was very very honored to
(15:33):
be on the bus with a few different guys, but
arrived up brilliant to see you. That flag football clinic
was was brilliant in Belfast. And just before we do
this on the road down to the new because I
have another chance to post this in I'm going to
give people a little bonus segment here. I had a
chance to chat to Jerome Ballace and I Tler on
the bus line before the game, sitting here and a
(15:57):
bus just leaving near County Dine on the way back
from a memorable memorable day with you know, legends sometimes
can be used easily. This guy really is Jerome batist Man. Honored,
honored to never mind be sitting here beside you, but
just to meet you as well. How are you doing?
Welcome dand oh.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Man, thank you appreciate it. I appreciate it. I'm enjoying
Ireland immensely, really having a great time here.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
It's one thing for somebody to come into Dublin, but
that's another thing for a guy like yourself to get
on the bus head of the Bell Foster for today
and then had to Neary. How did you find the
experience with children this morning? The flag football?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Didion? Didjon? Johnny?
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I so enjoyed the experience coming to Belfast, seeing a
different part of Ireland, seeing that the entire country, you know,
and so many times you only get a chance to
see the areas that you are in, but to you know,
make this trip, see a lot of the countryside, see
you know, different cultures and see how they're able to coexist. Uh,
(17:00):
it's it's really fun. I was really happy and excited
to see everything.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
I'll tell you what. It hit me that there's an
NFL game coming here. Obvious he's a big fun We
were in Sa Mari's high schooler for an award, which
we'll talk about a little bit later on the podcast,
and this guy walks in with his gold jacket on
and not hit me. And how did you find just
that experience get being in that school and obviously speaking
to those children and young adults really as well, that's
(17:26):
something they'll never forget the one honestly.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Well, for me, it was It's something that you know,
I appreciate, but I also understand the significance because you know,
I was a kid too, right, and I looked and
I wanted to see what success looked like. And in
my neighborhood there wasn't a lot of pictures of what
(17:50):
success looked like. H And so I want to try
to provide a picture of that every chance I get.
And so that's why I felt it was important, because
those are the ages where the young people are encourageable,
and if you show them that, hey, there is a
pathway an education is that pathway? Then you're gonna get
(18:10):
the future leaders up tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
You were here in ninety seven. First off, what's it
like being in Dublin and being back around that stadium?
And secondly, Don Ronney, what does he mean to you
as as a player? You know, I'm even for a
mentor figure and I got there as well. He'd be
very proud this weekend.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Yeah, Dann Ronney was was He was the best, the
absolute best. He knew how to create an organization and
run an organization because it felt not like an organization
but like a family.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
And so you know, he would be so proud that
his family is here playing in the first ever regular
season game because he puts so much in to make
it happen for the preseason, much less the regular season.
(19:03):
So I think he would be so proud.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
But he also be proud of the commitment that the
NFL is making to Ireland as well, And so you
know it would be hey, we've done, We're doing great,
Let's do more. Uh, And I know that's what he
would be saying.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I spoke to coach kyr at the Super Bowl a
couple of years ago. I got the story of how
Patricia really wanted to win the trophy in the East
seven as a player. I know it's hard to think
I can remember, but like a for you guys, preseason
games usually aren't a big deal. Let's getting practice in repsent.
What was that like whenever you were told or you know, right, guys,
we have to win this game.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Yeah, I remember, I remember in practice coach telling us
because he wanted us to understand that it's significant. So
we gotta bust our ass in practice because we got
to win this game.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
We gotta begin.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
It's not just to start all of us because you
know the young guys that are gonna be the ones playing.
So you guys got to figure out how to win
this football game. So you know, he put a mandate
on the entire team. But I think that's that's what
you have to do. You know, when something that's important
to you, you you let let everybody know. Hey, guys,
(20:12):
we're playing for something bigger than just us. We want
to win this trophy for her. She wanted that that
that uh crystal, and by goodness she.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Got it and it's still in the trophy cabital to
this that just finally, Mane, you have witnessed and experienced
greatness in your career and obviously going out in the
very right top and the place that meant so much
to you as well. What's it like not only being
a stater but winning at all and actually having that
glory in that moment?
Speaker 4 (20:41):
It was you know, it was everything because you know,
the individual success was never the goal.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
The goal was always winning championship.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
So year after year there's there could only be one winner,
and year after year, you know, I was a loser,
I was sick, came in second place, third place, fourth place,
never one, never would could consider myself a champion.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
So to have an opportunity.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
In my last season, in my last game, to win
a championship and actually do it, uh, it was special
because I could forever be associated with the Pittsburgh still, yes,
but also be a champion as well.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
What an answer. I really appreciate you taking the time
to shout to this and thank you for taking the
time to come over here. I know you didn't get
in the bus like mak Starks and start throwing tiles
and with Mike goal, We've had a great day Edge room.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
One, no problem, It's been a magical week.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
So I'm looking forward to uh A twenty seven one
win to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
We heard from Jerome Battis Derom Germi Maugat. Thank you
for joining us on the Irish Theaters podcast. It's not
every day that you're on a bus on the road
from Nearly to Dublin, just popped near karting for direction
here and shopping to a two times Superbowl championing an
Ike teler Ike, You're very very welcome, not only this
(22:06):
podcast but to the Island of Ireland. This is your
first time here, first time on the island. How did
you find getting in and seeing the city over the
last are so and it's really special for this game,
it's all start up pretty well.
Speaker 6 (22:17):
Yeah, it's been a hona. I compare the the island
of Ireland to the city of Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Similar, isn't it.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
Yeah, it has that kind of feel that that that
hard working, blue collar kind of city that very prideful,
you know Ireland, but yeah, I mean Pittsburgh is a
priud forul city for many reasons. Ireland is a powerful
country for many reasons. So it just feels like home,
but just in a in a in a different world
(22:49):
right now.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
How do you feel ahead of this game in Dublin
because you had the chance to go up to Belfast
and NY today, I seen you coaching those kids flag football.
You impressed with the talent that you're seeing at the
gross first level here.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Yeah, that that's most of all, not only talent, it's
the talent of the young ladies who is actually out
there participating, you know. So that's what I was very
impressed with. But as far as like the introduction of football,
you know, flag football, that's what it presents without having
to put equipment on, you know, So just seeing some
(23:24):
some young guys. Of course we know football is a
is a is a is a male sport at the
professional level. I did see some talented young ladies out there,
but far as like from the males, they had some
males out there, very talented. From from what I see
coming from a scout perspective.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Well, I think anybody that was there today will take
dots a tick, that analysis and run for the hills
in a good way. And obviously you would have known
mister Rooney at your time with the team. We've just
come bax from of that neary where the Tenisians were
made with the Ireland funds and the theaters. How did
you find him whenever you were at the team and
on high asn't was he with the team whenever you
(24:02):
were there? A lot of how important was easy your
career I mimic.
Speaker 6 (24:06):
I mimic my lifestyle after Paul Parony, you know, coming
up where I came from. Uh, when you got money,
you had to show it, you had to be flashy. Uh.
Paul Paroni was the total opposite, you know. So he
was he was a buick you know, buick less saber guy.
You know what I'm saying. He had a he had
(24:27):
a tan buick. It's just certain things you don't do
in the city of Pittsburgh. And I truly believe it
came from the Rooney family, Like just because you got it,
you don't show it. And I can kind of see
that over here in Ireland. What we're gonna do, We're
gonna work hard, we're gonna establish ourselves, We're gonna treat
people right, and even if you do have it, you
(24:49):
don't show that you have it, you know. So Uh,
that's that's what I learned from from Paul Paroni. That
was that was that was one of the things I
mimicked off. And it was also like giving back to
the community. As you can see, uh the world, we're
moving up and down the country of island. He even
though he loved the city of Pittsburgh, even though he
(25:11):
was very successful as an owner. Yeah, his passion always
been giving back to his country.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
Good to hear from those guys. So we've got Mox,
We've got Dreoman, we got Ike on this podcast. Max,
those guys a good crack. I know you ended up
going down towards Dublin at that point. Did it hit
you when you were heading in the Dublin for people
wonder hadn't done the Ballfoster traction down the m one
Port tunnel appears, and does it start to hitch you down?
Like here we go? This is it now?
Speaker 3 (25:37):
Like that?
Speaker 2 (25:37):
I think at that point we're two games away or two,
two or three days away from.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
Yeah, yeah we are. It was Thursday, so yeah, two
days away before game day. And when you when you
start to go in, I mean you're like, man, okay,
this is getting real, Like we're we're closing down Like
there we're now, you know, under triple digit hours before
game time. And when you drive in to the city.
Mind you. Last time I saw the city was on
(26:01):
a Monday, so normal work day, A couple of people
walking around the streets. I get back there Thursday afternoon
and it is jam packed, wall to wall traffic. People
on the streets, the crosswalks are busy, people are confused,
they got their phones out doing all kinds of crazy
stuff trying to find directions. And the hotel was packed
(26:25):
when I got there, and it was a you felt
the frenzy of like a Steeler's home game weekend with
the amount of people, and I did not. I don't
know if you had this. I did not see a
single Vikings fan until game day. It felt like like
I saw a couple, like maybe I could literally count
like seven on my hand that I saw throughout my
travels and hundreds of Steelers fans. But then I got
(26:46):
to Doublin, I'm like, oh, there'll be more. They have
a bar and this Nope. I did not see them
till Sunday morning when I was walking to Croke Park
to get into the stadium get wanded. That's where I'm like, oh,
this is the what rock? Did you guys climb from
under the blarney stone? I was like, yeah, get nowhere.
I'm like, and then when you get in the stadium,
you realize, now, I ain't that many of y'all. Because
(27:06):
the Steelers bought all the hotels and all the tickets
to this game.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
It definitely surprised me and I seen I went into
the Vikings Park just to see the crack earlier on
in the week there was a decent chunk of the
with at different parts in the city. Obviously great to
see so many teams come in different colors. And you
sound like a man that was in Physigmons a lot
with all those staters fans. Man, you do you do?
You do? I feel like we talk about this game forever.
I will say this before we're going to very quickly
(27:32):
talk about this Browns game this weekend, just in the second,
but I will say this, it feels like, even though
you've done a full tour here, I feel like you
can do so much. I mean, you said the Blarney stone.
I think you kiss the blarney still next time, go up,
go around different places off Loan, maybe different parts of
the North as well. Doney gall properly as well, have
gone proper. We can definitely run it back.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Yeah, I definitely want to. I definitely want to go
into Donegall properly and I want to go to I
gotta go to Cork. I know a lot of people, no,
don't go to I'm like, I gotta go to Cork.
You have to.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
That's where the Cork is some full of some of
the best nflfhons and like genuinely the good people. The
city's great as well.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
I just try fish but not yes, so I got
to try it in Cork, you know, because I have
to do a proper analysis, right, I mean, this is
about being thorough in the analysis here, Mick. You know
you can't. You can't. You have to go side. I
did a side by side. But I'm like, I feel
like the brew is going to be a little bit
more special when you when you pour it in Cork,
(28:30):
just like when you pour a Guinness in Dublin. Like
it just it hits different.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
On the Taste Buds, hard hitting analysis on this Irish
Hitters podcast this week present of Aerlingus, and we're gonna
talk about a game of just a second. Max is
just off like myself watching coach Tomlin talk in this
pre game press conference this week let's hear what he
had to say a little bit on this podcast.
Speaker 7 (28:51):
Certainly was a good bye week for us on a
lot of fronts. First and foremost, from a health standpoint,
feel really encouraged about the return of some people who've
been out. Guys like Alex high Smith and Joey Porter Junior,
for example, worked yesterday on our bonus day and the
(29:12):
arrows pointed up on their participation, but we'll follow them
throughout the week to make sure he continues to move
in the appropriate direction. I think the same thing could
be said for Jalen Warren. Obviously he missed the last game,
but looked really good yesterday, and so excited about those guys.
Two guys that were watching very closely that certainly are
(29:35):
gonna be limited at the front part of the week,
but may perk up and be included toward the latter
part of the week is Calvin Austin with his shoulder
and Jalen Ramsey with his hamstring. Both have been highly
aggressive from a rehabilitation standpoint during the bye week, and
so really encouraged about the potential of those guys, but
we'll take it certainly day to day. The bye week
(29:59):
is also an opportun unity for us to sit back
and take a look at some of the things that
we've done schematically, adapt adaptations we've made the circumstance, whether
it's matchup related or player availability related. To look at
the overall trajectory of our of our units offensively defensively,
of special teams relative to our vision. Also to look
(30:22):
around and look at some of the things that are
trending in the game, how people are producing or presenting
preventing big plays, whether it's run or pass, the turnover game,
gadget plays, et cetera, possession down play, fourth down appetites.
We looked at a lot of things going on globally,
(30:43):
and I think oftentimes you do that, but I think
that's one of the advantages of maybe having an early
buy just to get a sample size of how the
ball is being rolled out globally in twenty twenty five
at the early stages of it, and we did some
of that. It was a good experience for us, but
it's all so really good to get back into the
(31:03):
to the world of competition.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
This week.
Speaker 7 (31:05):
We had a really good bonus day yesterday, putting an
emphasis on physical conditioning and and running and playing football
that way as we get back and warn back up
to it and so excited about continuing that during the week.
I can't say enough about what what I'm seeing from Judkins.
You know, this guy is played in four games, he
(31:26):
started three. He had absolutely no training camp to speak of,
and that really highlights what it is that we're looking at.
Kudos to him and kudos to them for what he
and they are able to produce. He's a tough runner,
He's good inside, He's got good patience and picking vision
on interior running. He finished off, finishes off his runs
(31:48):
with violence. He's underrated in terms of his ability to
bounce it to the perimeter and pop long ones. He
had sixty yard or so.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (31:59):
He got called back in London last week. That kind
of highlights that I've seen this guy a lot. Obviously,
we got a couple of his teammates from O State
and so I've seen a lot of his video. Man,
he is a complete back. He's the type of guy
that can wear a defensive unit down. Certainly fits their mold.
(32:19):
There's an awesome replacement, if you will, for for Nick Chubb,
and I think it's gonna do nothing but get get better.
With him and them.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Good to hear from coach Tomlin on before we leap
Max Starks go, expect to call you Max Steelers there.
I've got that much Steeters in my briand Max at
the minute, and like it's hard to believe last time
this team played, wasn't Dublin get the bye week?
Speaker 3 (32:42):
Come in?
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Just shattery your faults. I obviously we both know the
Browns have to go to London. Played too bod To
be fair to them, Jokings look superb like I have
to have to hold mountains up here, but they obviously
have a shorter week.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
They have to fly back.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
This is a Steelers team that he's doing quite well
in this division at the minute in regard to the injuries.
Alber teams has home game and Akrasher first time in
a few weeks. This like, look, any game in the
AFC North is a must win game. This is a
must win game surely this week. What's your futs generating
this game?
Speaker 3 (33:12):
Well, I think one of the biggest things Mick that
I look at is you've got to get a victory
at home. All the victories that we've been masked so far.
Now I know Dublin counts as a home game. We
forfeited a home game for that, but we haven't won
in Afrasher yet this season, so that's that's that's rule
number one. Number two, you have not played a division
game yet. Everybody else has already played division games in
(33:33):
your division, So now this is your first shot at
actually working on division dominance. So you've got to put
your best fot forward.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Now.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
The one thing we heard from coach Tomlin in that
press conference was arrow pointing up for twenty four and
fifty six. That would be Joey Porter Junior and Alex
high Smith who did not play two weeks ago in Dublin,
who've been injured, you know, for majority of this season,
especially with Joey. Joey got injured in the Jets game
and Alex got injured in the Seahawks game, So we
(34:02):
haven't seen those guys in a number of weeks. So
we've been tested on the depth of this team. So
seeing how your front line comes back and that depth
starts to replenish itself is going to be key. But
like you said, Browns are off changed, Dylan Gabriels. Now
you're starting quarterback no more Joe Flacco and you know,
and they're losing ways. And I thought Dylan Gabriel actually
(34:23):
did a really good job in the game of distributing
the football. They just couldn't come up with points.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
Like you said, first first ever quarterback to start internationally,
never mind rookie, first ever to have a start overseas
done well for something under a lot of pressure. They
have flats and obviously it's gonna be on the defense stuff.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
Yeah, and Harrold Fannin as well is another one that's
i mean, another rookie. So you got a lot of
youth on that offense side. And then the defensively, I
mean Miles Garrett, Mason Graham, I mean Denzel Ward. They
got a lot of known guys. They are very tough defense,
but they just haven't been able to pull it all
together as a team. So we're gonna have our work
cut out for us this week against Cleveland. And it's
also it's always a KG match we never play, you know,
(35:03):
even regardless of where the records are. It's always a
tough out. Both these teams know each other so well,
and it's going to be a physical fistfight.
Speaker 2 (35:13):
Look, anytime it's AFC nor if it's it's a different
ballgame in a good way. It's going to hopefully be
fun to watch and hopefully the Seeders get the win.
Just before we get your protection, before we wrap up here.
For people listening to NFL on the Zone in Europe,
in Ireland and on a OTB Sports radio, if you
want to listen to, maybe Max make the call. Who knows,
we'll see Mix give us a game pick for this game.
(35:34):
I'm gonna say theeter has been twenty fleet seventeen and
the Type one just for the crack, but they still
the Yeah, you know.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
What, I'm right there with you. I'm thinking that this
is going to be a twenty four to seventeen. I'm
gonna go a little bit higher. I think they get
three ties. I think DK will get another score, and
I think the game we'll get it to the end
zone and this one. Then there will be a surprise somewhere,
maybe another Bevin Scaronic touch, who knows, but I feel
(36:02):
like it's going to be one of those. It's going
to be a one possession again.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
It's funny we went twenty three minutes while talking about
Kenny Gamewell on this record, Max, but we've done it
there now, good man here, You're welcome back over here anytime.
I will see you in week eight for the Packers game.
I'll certainly shake your hand and thank you for what
you've done, because you've done an awful lot there for
a lot of people, not just Steelers fans here over
the last few weeks, and I'll try and have a
(36:28):
terrible tile off you before we do that as well.
But Max Germy Loggat, thanks so much for coming on, sir.
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (36:34):
No my pleasure anytime.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
Mane Irish Airline Aerlingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Air Lingus's growth
in North America continues in twenty twenty five as the
(36:57):
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 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
the 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):
Hey, everybody, welcome into the Irish Staters podcast presented by Erlingus,
our first sort of main podcast since well, unless you've
been living under some sort of rock or having on
the internet. The Steelers game to Dublin triumphally beat the
Vikings have had a bye week. We're going in the
week six now. The one guy, I really one of
the one with a guy has now officially seen more
(01:01):
of the island of Ireland than I have I thought
is Max Starks. You're very welcome. You were very welcome
to Arland as well.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
How are you doing. I'm doing good. And and Mike,
I think I'll just change my name to Max Mick Starks.
So we'll we'll, we'll, we'll go from there. I tried,
oh Starks, it didn't really didn't really flow as well.
It's not as cool as like Barack Obama. You know,
you know, you don't have it. So I figure Mix
Starks is a good start for me. I've now become
(01:30):
the unofficial Steelers Ambassador to Ireland. I'm just gonna go
ahead and and and put that out there. Uh, not
to be confused with Ambassador Rooney and what he did
for our our our government and for the m for
the Emerald AU. But it was. It was absolutely amazing, Mick.
I mean to go to eight different counties in four
days and visit the vast amount of fans that we
(01:52):
got to touch and soon to be fans at the time,
and I'm sure we probably converted them as they watched
the game and realized on the right side of history.
With taking the terrible towels that we distributed and waving
them proudly. They realized they had a championship tow a
winner's towel in their hand, and it was not a
dishreg a couple people try to use as a dishreg.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Oh, there's somewhat stu impack from that. Like first off,
before we even talk about that, it was like, it
was funny. It just sums up Dublin in a sense.
I think I walked into a borrow one night and
seeing you got the chat here for thirty zac and
s a minute in the hectic week.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Just brilliant to see.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
You guys over here but not just come over but
actually do so much stuff. And you talk about mister
Rooney there, I know he would be very, very proud
of what the team has done over the last few weeks.
Before we talk about the terrible towel situation and that
whole tour, what was it like for you, especially whenever
you got to Dublin and we're able not to relax,
(02:50):
but able to be like, right, this is happening. I mean,
did it like for me? It obviously meant an awful
lot in the personal level, but it definitely max exceeded
my expectation in regards to highcro Park. Looked the amounted
staters fans that We've seen a lot more Vikings fans
in London last weekend than we've probably seen in Dublin.
It was almost like a proper Theaters home game, undead
(03:12):
the highest attendance first theaters game outside of Akrascher ever,
I'm glad to believe.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Yeah, no, absolutely, and you're absolutely correct. We haven't had
that type of neutral site venue with that. I mean
you're talking about Croke Park, which normally seats eighty three thousand,
got retro fitted for our game in that Hill sixteen side.
See huh still remember the hill side of the stadium.
You've got it, You got it and made it seventy
(03:39):
five thousand. So it took down that capacity because that's
usually a standing room area, and that is the largest
because it is larger than Afrosure you know when you
think about it, and to have the turnout to transform
that stadium into Akrosure East is fantastic and phenomen I
(04:00):
mean from all of the badging, having Larry Richard there
as the PA announcer and just everything around it, playing
Renegade in the fourth quarter, it was just it gave
you all the feels of being at home. I think
that's why we had such a high international I guess
(04:20):
because it's in Dublin, so international presence of Americans coming
from the States to Dublin. And really it gives a
great case study for the NFL to show that you
can pick cities like Dublin where people feel safe, they
are they're welcomed, there is fun, there's pure excitement. The
(04:41):
Irish hospitality that you always hear about, that warmth of
Ireland just shine through it every moment. I mean, you
had guys walking the streets with their families, and yeah,
you got stopped by some of the fanatical fans, but
you never felt uncomfortable. You never felt like, oh my god,
I can't go here. I mean, you know, one night,
I think I had my kids out at like eleven
o'clock because we had had a late dinner and we
(05:04):
went and got some gelato afterwards, and it was perfectly fine.
Now mind you, that's prime pub hours because we were
right by Temple Bar. But everybody was respectful, there was
no arguing, there was no fights, and everybody just was
joyous in the moment. I thought that was really special
and the country of Ireland just did a tremendous job
(05:24):
of the hospitality and the welcoming of the NFL.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
As a former player at first and foremost seeing what
the Viking's done in terms of going out there and
then going to London. Look, I know this is a
team podcast, but I think from a fan's viewpoint first
and foremost definitely myself, you expect to see that as
a norm in the future, and I know many Theedars
fans will be listening to discreaming Okay, well let's go
over as in the way it see Megain. I think
Dublin definitely has put itself in a conversation anyway. It
(05:51):
would be great to have them back again within this pricing.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
Oh my gosh, listen, I think what green Bay has
the market as well? Who else am I thinking.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Of as so obviously the main teams Theaters, Jigs, Green Bay,
and the Chiefs the Jets. I feel like that's correct.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Many I could definitely play the Jets and IRA don't
feel bad about that. But I mean, but the good
thing is, like you said, Jets, Jags and Chiefs AFC teams,
teams that you could get on a rotating basis that
wouldn't necessarily be it would be your featured division in
a season just like the Vikings or the future divisions
(06:31):
out of conference for us. So the fact that you
can have potential of that, because if not, if you're
waiting for the Vikings or Green Bay or somebody, it's
every four years that you're that away team for them,
unless you get a one off from the NFL that
seventeenth game. But the better odds would be Jags, Jets, Chiefs,
because you know you would get there more frequently. And yeah,
(06:55):
oh my god, would I jump at the opportunity Even
if we didn't I have a terrible towel tour because
we'reth the away team, I would still probably still get
there on Monday and just do all of my shows
from some pub Kennedy's probably, or fitz Simon's who did
a great job, or some of the other pubs. I mean,
I might even go back to Gork and do it
from Heart's Pub. It was an awesome time.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Oh my gosh, I promise you one question before we
talked about this terrible tal one more question we It
was not even a question, it's more just of a conversation.
And had the chance I left, I was obviously on
TV walked out done the end of our Rogers Press.
I think it was the last player walked out, walked
on the tunnel and seen all you guys, and I
(07:42):
thought it was a really cool moment, just seeing the
team obviously very happy from winning, but seeing him get
onto the bus coach Tomlin, et cetera. You must have
been exhausted that point, surely, yeah, come on, like, yeah.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
It was. It was. It was the end to a
very long week. It was enjoyable, but you're right. The
snooze hours were not comparable to the awake hours that
I did. But I will say this, losing that type
of sleep, I was like, you can sleep when you're dead.
That was an amazing opportunity, once in a lifetime opportunity
(08:17):
to go over to a foreign country. One that's been
on my bucket list was traveling to Ireland to see
it to the degree that I did, and be as
received and just to go through that whole experience. I mean,
you know, getting to meet Dairy FC football club, right,
getting to meet Munster and their rugby team, getting to
(08:39):
meet in Killarney and play with some hurling kids. It
was just seeing kill Kenny Castle, the Cliffs of More,
the legendary of Dairy.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
I'm on, I've lived here for over thirty years. I've
never been to the cliffs and more as well, I
hope to give it to you for play. You've seen
more to that in the meat and the thing that
the really important thing that you've mentioned counties, right, But
you guys were driving through way more than that as well,
so you've seen a lot. Like so I mentioned some
places there. You fly in to Dublin and then you
(09:10):
go straight with Canty and then Killarney. You know me,
Patty Clifford and Killarney. I know I noticed Sam Magar.
We didn't make an appearance, but Potty seemed in good
form to try try and remember even though it was
two weeks ago, like the chronological order of how that went,
And is there any stories that we haven't heard of yet.
Did you stop off at the filling station to get
a chicken fillip roll or anything or what was the plan?
Speaker 3 (09:32):
I'm glad you mentioned that, because yes, I did stop
at a couple of filling stations. I had had two
Chicken filet rolls on my on my on my journey,
one of them being when we left Belfast. That's probably
my favorite one. And it was like and the gas
stations look like travel plazas in America, like they do.
They're not just a petrol station you pull up, you
(09:52):
gas up in like some CD you know store with
all kinds of bobbles in it. But I mean it's
like a full proper food court, kids play place, like
kids stopped there for lunch, like there was a lot
of primary school kids running through, like the little ballpit
and everything. It was. It was amazing. But no, we
so mandon Dublin. Thirty minutes in Dublin at the hotel room,
(10:13):
changed packed the bag head to kill Kenny Castle and
kill Kenny. From Kill Kenny, drive to Kilarney. Like you said,
met potty Clifford met met two youth leagues, one for hurling.
That's where I learned how to hurl, and that's where
I have my beautiful hurling sticks. There we go right there,
Nation is.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
The question is can you do it? Can you still hurt?
Of even practice? Since I have not practices.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
I've only been home for about twenty seven hours, so
I promise I will once I get caught up on
my sleep. But so we practiced practice hurling. Then we
went Killarney. Rugby went with them and they kind of
showed me about the whole lift and everything else, trying
to trying to swap the rugby ball away from him.
It was it was very bad attempt. Went to J.
(10:57):
M Ready's there and and poured my friend first guinness pint.
Got my first perfect poor certificate at jam Reedy's, a
very old historical bar there in Killarney. Stayed there the night.
Next morning drove up to Limerick, went to University of
Limerick and also visited with Munster Rugby. They're on the
same campus you met.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
You met Steelers Funds in Limerick that this will surprise me.
Steelers genuine lives, wrap them up in Steers.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Yeah, like walking up Steelers jerseys, Steeler sweaters, one sweatshirts.
One girl was like, oh my god, why are you
guys here. I I'm from swiss Vale. I was like, what,
You're from Swissville going to school at the University of Limerick.
So it was just it was fantastic to engage with
students on a random day and their their team is
(11:44):
the Vikings. Funny enough, but they're they're the Blue Vikings,
not the Purple Vikings.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
On the and I will say I will say, very
very good people, Liam Ryan, the ul Vikings lovely, lovely
people and that would have meant a lot to the NBC.
You guys in Limerick, seriously.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Yeah, and we had a blast there. We took a
picture with them with their banner and everything at the end.
Then went over to Monster Rugby, addressed the team, obviously,
did a jersey exchange with Sean Casey. He's stood on
he stood on the bench. It was hilarious because we
took the first picture and he was like, no way, nope, nope, nope,
He's like waving it off and he's like, stands on
(12:20):
the bench. Now, this is right. We took the picture,
so we got we we haven't distributed the actual hype
differential videos with him actually standing on the ground. Then
went out and tossed the ball out with ty Burns
for a little bit and he showed me the proper
form on on on how on how to pass and
lateral Do you know, just.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
Just just just a casual yeah, typer and yeah, just yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Exactly, you know, hey, just he's just he's just a guy.
He's just a guy. He just happens to be one
of the best in rugby and all the Island world.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Yeah, well I will say this on It's something like
I obviously live up north, so I I hear you
to a place called Gort in County Galway. Right, I'm like,
what's going? Like? Did this mo almost be racked for
a start for a plan of him Hearts Pub talks
to me about this and talks to me about white
because like I want to those about is this like
a Cedar's pub in Galway or what's the crocker?
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Yeah? It is so So after we left Limerick we
hit the Cliffs of More and that was absolutely breathtaking.
And then we drive to Gork and we're in like
this little town square because you don't have most like
the smaller towns around Ireland. Like you drive in there's
a big central square, get the four exits off, and
then kind of you go off to the homes like
(13:35):
this is the this is where the market is, hardware store,
this is where everything is. And then right on the
side street right there black and Goal Hearts Pub And
when we pull up there are like forty people outside.
They're like we've been here all day and we've been
waiting for you. We can't wait. You walk in it's
like walking into your uncle's man cave basement, like over
(13:59):
over and over over in like the south Side, like
south Side flats, like you know, it's just it is
a very homely. There's video, there's there's Steelers videos playing
on replay in the corner on the big screen. They've
got all kinds of Steelers, pale of paraphernalia on the walls,
because we obviously know you can only tell an Irish
(14:20):
pub by how many photos and paraphernalias hanging from the
walls and the ceilings. That's where you know you're in
a real Irish pub if it has clean walls. Don't
drink the guinness there, right, you know what I'm saying.
This was pat chalked full of all kinds of memorabilia,
and the and the people there were just amazing. Karen Hart,
her son in law, he was he's a huge Steeler
fan as well, but he was also a Florida Gator fan,
(14:42):
so he had a Steeler sweatshirt on and then he
had a Gator's polo underneath it. As we show up
in this bar and it was just it felt like home.
We spent about two and a half hours there. I
poured way too many guinnesses and and and and opened
a bunch of siders and different bottle beers that and
I care to remember by being behind the and just
had a good time just hanging out and it was
(15:03):
a comfortable, familiar environment, So it was amazing. That was
a nice little departure for us before we actually got
into Galway City proper.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Galway City, slide goo up to the northwest in Derry
and then I get to meet you in Belfast. Yeah,
that was really cool because I've obviously been looked very
look you just chatty before, but to meet you, like
for people that aren't to wear Max is a giant.
I'm looking up at him like how's it going, man,
what's the crack? And I was like this man, you
literally just arrived before. I was very very honored to
(15:33):
be on the bus with a few different guys, but
arrived up brilliant to see you. That flag football clinic
was was brilliant in Belfast. And just before we do
this on the road down to the new because I
have another chance to post this in I'm going to
give people a little bonus segment here. I had a
chance to chat to Jerome Ballace and I Tler on
the bus line before the game, sitting here and a
(15:57):
bus just leaving near County Dine on the way back
from a memorable memorable day with you know, legends sometimes
can be used easily. This guy really is Jerome batist Man. Honored,
honored to never mind be sitting here beside you, but
just to meet you as well. How are you doing?
Welcome dand oh.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Man, thank you appreciate it. I appreciate it. I'm enjoying
Ireland immensely, really having a great time here.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
It's one thing for somebody to come into Dublin, but
that's another thing for a guy like yourself to get
on the bus head of the Bell Foster for today
and then had to Neary. How did you find the
experience with children this morning? The flag football?
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Didion? Didjon? Johnny?
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I so enjoyed the experience coming to Belfast, seeing a
different part of Ireland, seeing that the entire country, you know,
and so many times you only get a chance to
see the areas that you are in, but to you know,
make this trip, see a lot of the countryside, see
you know, different cultures and see how they're able to coexist. Uh,
(17:00):
it's it's really fun. I was really happy and excited
to see everything.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
I'll tell you what. It hit me that there's an
NFL game coming here. Obvious he's a big fun We
were in Sa Mari's high schooler for an award, which
we'll talk about a little bit later on the podcast,
and this guy walks in with his gold jacket on
and not hit me. And how did you find just
that experience get being in that school and obviously speaking
to those children and young adults really as well, that's
(17:26):
something they'll never forget the one honestly.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Well, for me, it was It's something that you know,
I appreciate, but I also understand the significance because you know,
I was a kid too, right, and I looked and
I wanted to see what success looked like. And in
my neighborhood there wasn't a lot of pictures of what
(17:50):
success looked like. H And so I want to try
to provide a picture of that every chance I get.
And so that's why I felt it was important, because
those are the ages where the young people are encourageable,
and if you show them that, hey, there is a
pathway an education is that pathway? Then you're gonna get
(18:10):
the future leaders up tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
You were here in ninety seven. First off, what's it
like being in Dublin and being back around that stadium?
And secondly, Don Ronney, what does he mean to you
as as a player? You know, I'm even for a
mentor figure and I got there as well. He'd be
very proud this weekend.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Yeah, Dann Ronney was was He was the best, the
absolute best. He knew how to create an organization and
run an organization because it felt not like an organization
but like a family.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
And so you know, he would be so proud that
his family is here playing in the first ever regular
season game because he puts so much in to make
it happen for the preseason, much less the regular season.
(19:03):
So I think he would be so proud.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
But he also be proud of the commitment that the
NFL is making to Ireland as well, And so you
know it would be hey, we've done, We're doing great,
Let's do more. Uh, And I know that's what he
would be saying.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
I spoke to coach kyr at the Super Bowl a
couple of years ago. I got the story of how
Patricia really wanted to win the trophy in the East
seven as a player. I know it's hard to think
I can remember, but like a for you guys, preseason
games usually aren't a big deal. Let's getting practice in repsent.
What was that like whenever you were told or you know, right, guys,
we have to win this game.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Yeah, I remember, I remember in practice coach telling us
because he wanted us to understand that it's significant. So
we gotta bust our ass in practice because we got
to win this game.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
We gotta begin.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
It's not just to start all of us because you
know the young guys that are gonna be the ones playing.
So you guys got to figure out how to win
this football game. So you know, he put a mandate
on the entire team. But I think that's that's what
you have to do. You know, when something that's important
to you, you you let let everybody know. Hey, guys,
(20:12):
we're playing for something bigger than just us. We want
to win this trophy for her. She wanted that that
that uh crystal, and by goodness she.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Got it and it's still in the trophy cabital to
this that just finally, Mane, you have witnessed and experienced
greatness in your career and obviously going out in the
very right top and the place that meant so much
to you as well. What's it like not only being
a stater but winning at all and actually having that
glory in that moment?
Speaker 4 (20:41):
It was you know, it was everything because you know,
the individual success was never the goal.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
The goal was always winning championship.
Speaker 4 (20:48):
So year after year there's there could only be one winner,
and year after year, you know, I was a loser,
I was sick, came in second place, third place, fourth place,
never one, never would could consider myself a champion.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
So to have an opportunity.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
In my last season, in my last game, to win
a championship and actually do it, uh, it was special
because I could forever be associated with the Pittsburgh still, yes,
but also be a champion as well.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
What an answer. I really appreciate you taking the time
to shout to this and thank you for taking the
time to come over here. I know you didn't get
in the bus like mak Starks and start throwing tiles
and with Mike goal, We've had a great day Edge room.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 5 (21:34):
One, no problem, It's been a magical week.
Speaker 4 (21:38):
So I'm looking forward to uh A twenty seven one
win to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
We heard from Jerome Battis Derom Germi Maugat. Thank you
for joining us on the Irish Theaters podcast. It's not
every day that you're on a bus on the road
from Nearly to Dublin, just popped near karting for direction
here and shopping to a two times Superbowl championing an
Ike teler Ike, You're very very welcome, not only this
(22:06):
podcast but to the Island of Ireland. This is your
first time here, first time on the island. How did
you find getting in and seeing the city over the
last are so and it's really special for this game,
it's all start up pretty well.
Speaker 6 (22:17):
Yeah, it's been a hona. I compare the the island
of Ireland to the city of Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Similar, isn't it.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
Yeah, it has that kind of feel that that that
hard working, blue collar kind of city that very prideful,
you know Ireland, but yeah, I mean Pittsburgh is a
priud forul city for many reasons. Ireland is a powerful
country for many reasons. So it just feels like home,
but just in a in a in a different world
(22:49):
right now.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
How do you feel ahead of this game in Dublin
because you had the chance to go up to Belfast
and NY today, I seen you coaching those kids flag football.
You impressed with the talent that you're seeing at the
gross first level here.
Speaker 6 (23:03):
Yeah, that that's most of all, not only talent, it's
the talent of the young ladies who is actually out
there participating, you know. So that's what I was very
impressed with. But as far as like the introduction of football,
you know, flag football, that's what it presents without having
to put equipment on, you know, So just seeing some
(23:24):
some young guys. Of course we know football is a
is a is a is a male sport at the
professional level. I did see some talented young ladies out there,
but far as like from the males, they had some
males out there, very talented. From from what I see
coming from a scout perspective.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Well, I think anybody that was there today will take
dots a tick, that analysis and run for the hills
in a good way. And obviously you would have known
mister Rooney at your time with the team. We've just
come bax from of that neary where the Tenisians were
made with the Ireland funds and the theaters. How did
you find him whenever you were at the team and
on high asn't was he with the team whenever you
(24:02):
were there? A lot of how important was easy your
career I mimic.
Speaker 6 (24:06):
I mimic my lifestyle after Paul Parony, you know, coming
up where I came from. Uh, when you got money,
you had to show it, you had to be flashy. Uh.
Paul Paroni was the total opposite, you know. So he
was he was a buick you know, buick less saber guy.
You know what I'm saying. He had a he had
(24:27):
a tan buick. It's just certain things you don't do
in the city of Pittsburgh. And I truly believe it
came from the Rooney family, Like just because you got it,
you don't show it. And I can kind of see
that over here in Ireland. What we're gonna do, We're
gonna work hard, we're gonna establish ourselves, We're gonna treat
people right, and even if you do have it, you
(24:49):
don't show that you have it, you know. So Uh,
that's that's what I learned from from Paul Paroni. That
was that was that was one of the things I
mimicked off. And it was also like giving back to
the community. As you can see, uh the world, we're
moving up and down the country of island. He even
though he loved the city of Pittsburgh, even though he
(25:11):
was very successful as an owner. Yeah, his passion always
been giving back to his country.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
Good to hear from those guys. So we've got Mox,
We've got Dreoman, we got Ike on this podcast. Max,
those guys a good crack. I know you ended up
going down towards Dublin at that point. Did it hit
you when you were heading in the Dublin for people
wonder hadn't done the Ballfoster traction down the m one
Port tunnel appears, and does it start to hitch you down?
Like here we go? This is it now?
Speaker 3 (25:37):
Like that?
Speaker 2 (25:37):
I think at that point we're two games away or two,
two or three days away from.
Speaker 3 (25:41):
Yeah, yeah we are. It was Thursday, so yeah, two
days away before game day. And when you when you
start to go in, I mean you're like, man, okay,
this is getting real, Like we're we're closing down Like
there we're now, you know, under triple digit hours before
game time. And when you drive in to the city.
Mind you. Last time I saw the city was on
(26:01):
a Monday, so normal work day, A couple of people
walking around the streets. I get back there Thursday afternoon
and it is jam packed, wall to wall traffic. People
on the streets, the crosswalks are busy, people are confused,
they got their phones out doing all kinds of crazy
stuff trying to find directions. And the hotel was packed
(26:25):
when I got there, and it was a you felt
the frenzy of like a Steeler's home game weekend with
the amount of people, and I did not. I don't
know if you had this. I did not see a
single Vikings fan until game day. It felt like like
I saw a couple, like maybe I could literally count
like seven on my hand that I saw throughout my
travels and hundreds of Steelers fans. But then I got
(26:46):
to Doublin, I'm like, oh, there'll be more. They have
a bar and this Nope. I did not see them
till Sunday morning when I was walking to Croke Park
to get into the stadium get wanded. That's where I'm like, oh,
this is the what rock? Did you guys climb from
under the blarney stone? I was like, yeah, get nowhere.
I'm like, and then when you get in the stadium,
you realize, now, I ain't that many of y'all. Because
(27:06):
the Steelers bought all the hotels and all the tickets
to this game.
Speaker 2 (27:10):
It definitely surprised me and I seen I went into
the Vikings Park just to see the crack earlier on
in the week there was a decent chunk of the
with at different parts in the city. Obviously great to
see so many teams come in different colors. And you
sound like a man that was in Physigmons a lot
with all those staters fans. Man, you do you do?
You do? I feel like we talk about this game forever.
I will say this before we're going to very quickly
(27:32):
talk about this Browns game this weekend, just in the second,
but I will say this, it feels like, even though
you've done a full tour here, I feel like you
can do so much. I mean, you said the Blarney stone.
I think you kiss the blarney still next time, go up,
go around different places off Loan, maybe different parts of
the North as well. Doney gall properly as well, have
gone proper. We can definitely run it back.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
Yeah, I definitely want to. I definitely want to go
into Donegall properly and I want to go to I
gotta go to Cork. I know a lot of people, no,
don't go to I'm like, I gotta go to Cork.
You have to.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
That's where the Cork is some full of some of
the best nflfhons and like genuinely the good people. The
city's great as well.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
I just try fish but not yes, so I got
to try it in Cork, you know, because I have
to do a proper analysis, right, I mean, this is
about being thorough in the analysis here, Mick. You know
you can't. You can't. You have to go side. I
did a side by side. But I'm like, I feel
like the brew is going to be a little bit
more special when you when you pour it in Cork,
(28:30):
just like when you pour a Guinness in Dublin. Like
it just it hits different.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
On the Taste Buds, hard hitting analysis on this Irish
Hitters podcast this week present of Aerlingus, and we're gonna
talk about a game of just a second. Max is
just off like myself watching coach Tomlin talk in this
pre game press conference this week let's hear what he
had to say a little bit on this podcast.
Speaker 7 (28:51):
Certainly was a good bye week for us on a
lot of fronts. First and foremost, from a health standpoint,
feel really encouraged about the return of some people who've
been out. Guys like Alex high Smith and Joey Porter Junior,
for example, worked yesterday on our bonus day and the
(29:12):
arrows pointed up on their participation, but we'll follow them
throughout the week to make sure he continues to move
in the appropriate direction. I think the same thing could
be said for Jalen Warren. Obviously he missed the last game,
but looked really good yesterday, and so excited about those guys.
Two guys that were watching very closely that certainly are
(29:35):
gonna be limited at the front part of the week,
but may perk up and be included toward the latter
part of the week is Calvin Austin with his shoulder
and Jalen Ramsey with his hamstring. Both have been highly
aggressive from a rehabilitation standpoint during the bye week, and
so really encouraged about the potential of those guys, but
we'll take it certainly day to day. The bye week
(29:59):
is also an opportun unity for us to sit back
and take a look at some of the things that
we've done schematically, adapt adaptations we've made the circumstance, whether
it's matchup related or player availability related. To look at
the overall trajectory of our of our units offensively defensively,
of special teams relative to our vision. Also to look
(30:22):
around and look at some of the things that are
trending in the game, how people are producing or presenting
preventing big plays, whether it's run or pass, the turnover game,
gadget plays, et cetera, possession down play, fourth down appetites.
We looked at a lot of things going on globally,
(30:43):
and I think oftentimes you do that, but I think
that's one of the advantages of maybe having an early
buy just to get a sample size of how the
ball is being rolled out globally in twenty twenty five
at the early stages of it, and we did some
of that. It was a good experience for us, but
it's all so really good to get back into the
(31:03):
to the world of competition.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
This week.
Speaker 7 (31:05):
We had a really good bonus day yesterday, putting an
emphasis on physical conditioning and and running and playing football
that way as we get back and warn back up
to it and so excited about continuing that during the week.
I can't say enough about what what I'm seeing from Judkins.
You know, this guy is played in four games, he
(31:26):
started three. He had absolutely no training camp to speak of,
and that really highlights what it is that we're looking at.
Kudos to him and kudos to them for what he
and they are able to produce. He's a tough runner,
He's good inside, He's got good patience and picking vision
on interior running. He finished off, finishes off his runs
(31:48):
with violence. He's underrated in terms of his ability to
bounce it to the perimeter and pop long ones. He
had sixty yard or so.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (31:59):
He got called back in London last week. That kind
of highlights that I've seen this guy a lot. Obviously,
we got a couple of his teammates from O State
and so I've seen a lot of his video. Man,
he is a complete back. He's the type of guy
that can wear a defensive unit down. Certainly fits their mold.
(32:19):
There's an awesome replacement, if you will, for for Nick Chubb,
and I think it's gonna do nothing but get get better.
With him and them.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Good to hear from coach Tomlin on before we leap
Max Starks go, expect to call you Max Steelers there.
I've got that much Steeters in my briand Max at
the minute, and like it's hard to believe last time
this team played, wasn't Dublin get the bye week?
Speaker 3 (32:42):
Come in?
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Just shattery your faults. I obviously we both know the
Browns have to go to London. Played too bod To
be fair to them, Jokings look superb like I have
to have to hold mountains up here, but they obviously
have a shorter week.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
They have to fly back.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
This is a Steelers team that he's doing quite well
in this division at the minute in regard to the injuries.
Alber teams has home game and Akrasher first time in
a few weeks. This like, look, any game in the
AFC North is a must win game. This is a
must win game surely this week. What's your futs generating
this game?
Speaker 3 (33:12):
Well, I think one of the biggest things Mick that
I look at is you've got to get a victory
at home. All the victories that we've been masked so far.
Now I know Dublin counts as a home game. We
forfeited a home game for that, but we haven't won
in Afrasher yet this season, so that's that's that's rule
number one. Number two, you have not played a division
game yet. Everybody else has already played division games in
(33:33):
your division, So now this is your first shot at
actually working on division dominance. So you've got to put
your best fot forward.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Now.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
The one thing we heard from coach Tomlin in that
press conference was arrow pointing up for twenty four and
fifty six. That would be Joey Porter Junior and Alex
high Smith who did not play two weeks ago in Dublin,
who've been injured, you know, for majority of this season,
especially with Joey. Joey got injured in the Jets game
and Alex got injured in the Seahawks game, So we
(34:02):
haven't seen those guys in a number of weeks. So
we've been tested on the depth of this team. So
seeing how your front line comes back and that depth
starts to replenish itself is going to be key. But
like you said, Browns are off changed, Dylan Gabriels. Now
you're starting quarterback no more Joe Flacco and you know,
and they're losing ways. And I thought Dylan Gabriel actually
(34:23):
did a really good job in the game of distributing
the football. They just couldn't come up with points.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
Like you said, first first ever quarterback to start internationally,
never mind rookie, first ever to have a start overseas
done well for something under a lot of pressure. They
have flats and obviously it's gonna be on the defense stuff.
Speaker 3 (34:39):
Yeah, and Harrold Fannin as well is another one that's
i mean, another rookie. So you got a lot of
youth on that offense side. And then the defensively, I
mean Miles Garrett, Mason Graham, I mean Denzel Ward. They
got a lot of known guys. They are very tough defense,
but they just haven't been able to pull it all
together as a team. So we're gonna have our work
cut out for us this week against Cleveland. And it's
also it's always a KG match we never play, you know,
(35:03):
even regardless of where the records are. It's always a
tough out. Both these teams know each other so well,
and it's going to be a physical fistfight.
Speaker 2 (35:13):
Look, anytime it's AFC nor if it's it's a different
ballgame in a good way. It's going to hopefully be
fun to watch and hopefully the Seeders get the win.
Just before we get your protection, before we wrap up here.
For people listening to NFL on the Zone in Europe,
in Ireland and on a OTB Sports radio, if you
want to listen to, maybe Max make the call. Who knows,
we'll see Mix give us a game pick for this game.
(35:34):
I'm gonna say theeter has been twenty fleet seventeen and
the Type one just for the crack, but they still
the Yeah, you know.
Speaker 3 (35:40):
What, I'm right there with you. I'm thinking that this
is going to be a twenty four to seventeen. I'm
gonna go a little bit higher. I think they get
three ties. I think DK will get another score, and
I think the game we'll get it to the end
zone and this one. Then there will be a surprise somewhere,
maybe another Bevin Scaronic touch, who knows, but I feel
(36:02):
like it's going to be one of those. It's going
to be a one possession again.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
It's funny we went twenty three minutes while talking about
Kenny Gamewell on this record, Max, but we've done it
there now, good man here, You're welcome back over here anytime.
I will see you in week eight for the Packers game.
I'll certainly shake your hand and thank you for what
you've done, because you've done an awful lot there for
a lot of people, not just Steelers fans here over
the last few weeks, and I'll try and have a
(36:28):
terrible tile off you before we do that as well.
But Max Germy Loggat, thanks so much for coming on, sir.
I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (36:34):
No my pleasure anytime.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
Mane Irish Airline Aerlingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Air Lingus's growth
in North America continues in twenty twenty five as the
(36:57):
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 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
the air Lingus, air Lingus, you're very welcome,
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