March 20, 2025 • 22 mins
Michael is joined this week by the host of the NFL on Sky Sports, Neil Reynolds. Neil looks ahead with excitement for the Steelers first ever regular season game in Ireland and recalls some fun memories from Training Camp in Latrobe!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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 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.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome, folks.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
You're very pocket to the Irish Steeters podcast this week,
presented by air Lingus Folks. Irish Airline aer Lingus has
just announced plans to become an official airline partner of
the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a founding partner of Steelers Ireland,
air Lingus will be welcoming Steelers and all of Steelers
Nations to Dublin this autumn for what's set to be
a fantastic NFL showdown for listeners outside of Ireland. You
(01:03):
can book your flight to Dublin now at erlingus dot
com to make sure you don't miss out in any
of the action. And you're very welcome in to this
week's edition of the Irish Theaters Podcast, a very special
edition if you're an NFL fan in Ireland or the
UK listening, and we are absolutely delighted to bring on
this week the host of NFL on sky Sports NFL
in the UK and Ireland, Neil Reynolds. We talked to
(01:26):
Naim about his time in the trope and training camp
for the Staters and his hopes and falls ahead of
a historic audan to come for Staters Nation in Dublin.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Here's Neil.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Okay rolling on on. This week's episode of the Irish
Theaters Podcast is outed by Erlingus. Everybody who is a
Staders fan of NFL fan across the island of Ireland
and the UK and you're listening in, you're very very welcome.
We'll have heard of this man or no, this man.
He is the lead presenter on sky Sports NFL among
many other things which I should be listening, but there's
so many to say. Neil Rynolds, Nil a Falter, you're
(01:57):
very welcome to this podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
How I did. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
I'm very good, Michael, Yeah, very very excited about what's
coming up in twenty twenty five. I'm enjoying the off
season because I've got to make the most of it.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
While i can.
Speaker 5 (02:10):
But also it is going to be just incredible. This
this coming year is just gonna be so special.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
It's probably on a thing now only Look you're you're
You're obviously very welcome, You're staying there, but enjoying the
off season. I know there's time to chill out and
time to relax, but I think it sort of says
where the game is at in Ireland and the UK
that it is it's quite busy, like there's a lot
of stuff going on, which is really really cool. The
Seas Dealers in entied a couple of weeks ago, and
I know for you, it never stops.
Speaker 5 (02:38):
No, No, I'm always doing something, so planning, you know,
planning tours, planning things around the island of Ireland and
some stuff I'm doing in the UK with Jason and Phoebe,
planning game programs for next year, Planning, yeah, trips and
different bits and pieces. So yeah, there's always something, and
(02:58):
you know, you can just take it for me, I
can take it at a slower pace in the in
the off season, that's the difference. You know, it's not
quite as demanding as it would be in the regular season.
But look, I just what's happening as well is and
you're seeing it with the Steelers in Ireland. These teams
are so invested in our markets now that you know,
you just you just almost have to grab onto their
(03:21):
coattails and keep up because they're going to drive it
and they're going to want to do things, you know,
and I just I come from a time when there
was nothing like that. You know, teams looking to do
what they're doing in these in our countries.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
It's amazing.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
So yeah, you sort of it means you stay busier
than you maybe would be normally or but it's a
it's a great thing, and I'm really excited about where
everything's going internationally.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
You're a genius because you've literally picked up on the
next question, like talking about those times like lead nineties,
early two visons to think where the league is now
that we're on a Pittsburgh Steelers podcast for Down of
the Irelands really really cool. I guess my question for you,
Neil is as an NFL fan first and foremost, And
were you aware of the Steelers connection in Ireland or
(04:08):
is that something that you've really sort of grown and
developed over the last few years. I know you guys
had a chance to go out there as well.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
Yeah, I think I think it's more more in recent years.
But obviously, I know the Steelers played in ninety seven
in preseason game, and I think there was always that
kind of attraction, So I knew it was I knew
it was there.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
I knew there was a heritage there.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
Obviously when mister Rooney was the ambassador that that kind
of kicked it on another level. So I feel they've
they're a perfect partner. I feel like they're a perfect partner.
People love, especially Americans. They love the history of Ireland,
they love the They get sentimental about it, and I
(04:51):
think that's quite right to do, and that makes the
Steelers a perfect fit the Steelers. When I think of
the Steelers, I think of tradition and history, and you
get sentimental about certain players and certain Super Bowls that
they won. So it's not like it's I don't know,
a team with no history that's attaching itself to Ireland.
(05:14):
It's a team rich in history, and so to me,
it's just a perfect marriage. It's really for me, it's
I use that word again, it's so exciting to see
what's happened so far. It's all going to kick into
another level whenever that regular season game is played.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Once we know when that is, that's going to kick
to another level.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
And then I think it will kick on and don't Yeah,
there's no way, and I don't know, I might be
asking answering the next question as well.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
There's no way this is going to be a one
and done. Absolutely no, I'm just excited to see the
one first off. I know a lot of this podcast
are so excited on people that you've had a chance
to meet down through the last few years as well.
Just really it seems like it's a fever pitch now.
And before we talk about I guess more recent I
remember there was the opportunity for Sky Sports to come
(06:04):
out to Pittsburgh for the season opener. I might have
been twenty twenty four, And I'm bringing that up because
you know, obviously, firstly you guys got to go out there,
but I remember when you started the show off and
I think Phoebe spoke to Art Rooney as well the.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Whole bar that we were watching and then went quiet.
And I think a lot of fans over here get
the significance of the team and what it means to
the market. But what was like going out there, Because
you know, going out there, and I know you do
your tour anyway, like you've obviously got a connection to
going out there and seeing what the trope is like.
But what was like going out there for that Week
one game, especially when it's favorite pitch. We'll not talk
about the result, but I've seen where you guys were
(06:40):
a standing for a live broadcast pretty special month.
Speaker 5 (06:43):
It was amazing, so as week won twenty twenty three
season and the whole weekend was just incredible from every
way you went. And I've been I've been to training
camp before, but to go and walk around on the
museum to hear about the connection between the fans and
(07:05):
the team, that was great. I'd met Tomlin, Mike Tomlin
earlier that summer in training camp and he kind of
talked about, you know, he talked about the standard, he
talked about you know that there's a reminder about what
it means to be a Steeler. As soon as you
walk in the building, all the Super Bowl trophies are there.
He said, it's a reminder and not a subtle one
(07:25):
about what the standard is. So I kind of had
all the I knew what it was. I knew what
I was going into. It was one of the most
storage franchises in the NFL. It's an iconic stadium. It's
one of the things when you think of special scenes,
it's the terrible towels being waived. So I knew what
to expect, sort of, and then it blew me away.
(07:47):
It blew me away. Santonio Holmes came and joined us pregame,
and it was about five minutes before kickoff, and I
actually turned to camera and there's a bit. They used
it a couple of times on Sky that year. I said,
this is not the play, this is not the super Bowl,
this is Week one. It was definite I've never heard.
I went back that weekend after that weekend and said,
(08:08):
that's the loudest crowd I've ever heard. It was the
loudest crowd I've ever heard. Now it got quite pretty quick.
We won't talk about that part of it, but it
was so special and to me, if you take these
wonderful Irish fans who are amazing when we go and
do the tours around the country, you feel the passion,
you see it, you know, we hear it all the time.
(08:29):
You combine that with people that are going to come
over from.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
Pittsburgh, that's going to be mad. It's going to be
absolutely crazy.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
It's gonna be my And look, I know you've been
over here both in Northern Ireland and the Republic numerous times.
But I guess as well for you, you know, obviously working
with a whole UKs scope of things and half on
the London games throughout the last fifteen to twenty years,
it is different and I think for a lot of
UK fans as well, and it's very very cool because
there's that sort of extra game like do you feel
(08:57):
like people that you've spoke to look at this game
now and on then like it's almost like a nice
little bonus scheme that we've got London, We've got Dublin
as well. I feel like a lot of people are
going to travel over in terms of ones that are
you know, usually need to go like Lundonam. I think
they we're going to get a lot of people that
will triangle to Dublin as well, and even if they
haven't got a ticket, I think they're going to try
and see everything. You haven't been the Coup Park of you,
it's going to say I haven't be inside.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
It still not I reckon. I don't know what.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
I think I can get all the way round to
the game before I go in there and see it.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
That would be amazing. We will definitely try badly.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
I think the people from the UK use the word
they can try, They can try to get to the game.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
This is going to be a hot ticket.
Speaker 5 (09:36):
I want to see the fans from Ireland, Northern Ireland there.
I do think there's going to be a big contingent
coming over from North America as well, which is just
going to add to it. It kind of adds to
the London game, so I don't think it detracts at all.
I think it's great to sort of have that multicultural
crowd there, But you know, I do I do want
to see the local fans have the chance to see
(09:58):
this game. You know, I've talked about this before the
amount of the amount of live shows I've done with
NFL over the years, and they'll be queuing out the
door of four hours before we go on stage.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
So yeah, I think it's Look, look all.
Speaker 5 (10:14):
These games now, if you're a fan in the UK,
you know you've got a chance to get on a
one hour flight to Dublin. You've got a chance to
maybe fly an hour and a half to Berlin, a
couple of hours to Madrid.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
I mean, this has.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Now become a really kind of European thing, and each
of those games will have a different feeling to them.
That will that would just be the you know, the
local slant that's put on it.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
And so yeah, I think it's going to be special.
I think it will be traveling fans from all over.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
I'm just hopeful that there's a big old green contingent
in there as well.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Leave that with me. I'll do two things. I'll try
and get you to the stadium before that, and then
we'll probably talk about that at a different point. I guess, Look,
this is actually something I want to ask you for
somebody that hasn't been to the stadium. How interesting doesn't
look to you because you've obviously got the hill, which
is not a proper it's not a false stand. But
then you've got it's because I was standing that at
last week whenever the Steelers had the flag football camp,
(11:07):
and I was thinking, like, this is going to be
just different because obviously the thing I love al atopen
them is that sort of cop stand where it just yeah,
and I think the atmosphere is going to be really
really cool as well. There isn't really a bad seat
in the stadium, which is the sem Totenham weem as well.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
To be fair, Yeah, I think it's I think it
looks fantastic. I think because it's quite wide. Isn't it
the the Gaelic football field, So I think.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
It's why it'll sort of be in and the players more.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Fiel it's going to come in.
Speaker 5 (11:33):
All I think selfishly is that's going to give me
more room to roam on the sidelines of the sky.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
So that's great.
Speaker 5 (11:38):
We can be down on the sideline watching this game
up close. Look, I think having a unique stadium, like
I wonder if they're with the Hill, whether they'll kind
of make something of that. I don't know, don't know
what they could do there, but look, it's it's an
amazing stadium.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
It's an amazing stadium.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
It's a city that I think people want to visit
for a weekend. I think the whole weekend is going
to be crazy. I would love to I think Monday morning,
Dublin Airport's going to look like some sort of zombie
cough apocalypse because people kind of make their way back,
kind of whispering.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
To each other, don't talk too loudly. It's going to be,
it will.
Speaker 5 (12:18):
Be, It'll be brilliant, it's going to be great. You know,
you're going to have the Steelers doing so much leading
up to it. I think we're seeing they're not just
paying lip service to this game. This is a franchise
that is so committed to the market. They're going to
really really pump this game and they're going to get
their just reward. That's going to be filled to the
(12:38):
rafters and it's going to be an incredible scene. I
think we should have. I would love to see and
you did this at the watch I think they did
this at the watch parties. I want the yellow Terrible towels,
but I want some green ones in there as well.
That would be great if that was just a sea
of yellow and green Terrible towels right before.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Okay, and I know it's the official team's podcast people
listening because it's something nice for the mentions as well.
I don't know what. I can't wait to see what
color of the toils are going to be. I'm sure
there'll be something special for the day and I'll not
get out in the way. I just don't know yet.
I think I feel like I feel like the hill
is seated for We spoke to the cdium directors, so
for people listening, hopefully that helps with their questions as well.
(13:20):
Neil look a lot of focus too much in the game,
which we know is coming in the autumn, and we
expect the NFL UK and Ireland GM. Henry Hodgson mentioned
the Crew Park last week for people listening around just
after the Drafters, So maybe early May we'll find out
the opponent and the details at NFL dot Com Slash Dublin.
Do not DM me or Neil looking tickets yet. Anyway,
we'll see Neil. Just on that you had a chance
(13:44):
to meet and obviously sort of I know you were
chatting the Charlie Smith a few months prior to the
ipp et cetera, and and you got to know them
very well. But I guess you had a chance to
sort of meet him properly at the Super Bowl in
New Orleans, which was actually really weird because that's something
for a lot of us lads never sort of go away.
Because that was the week where the game was announced
as well, and while Charlie's playing for the scenes, he
(14:06):
grew up ten minutes from the historic home of the Steelers.
It's really really cool generally to see players in the app,
whoever they're from Ireland, the UK, Europe, whatever. How cool
would it be because we're on a Steelers podcast, How
interesting or cool would be at some point down the
line to maybe have an Irish player player for the Steelers.
It would pretty awesome, wouldn't.
Speaker 5 (14:26):
Yeah, I think it would in the same way when
the Jags signed Lewis free summit and he came back
to the UK, and I think that connection is brilliant,
So it would be really special. And maybe that's something
that when the Steelers if they have a choice between
two or three players and one maybe can go on
to practice squad, that is something to look at.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
But I know these teams are completely.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
Ruthless and professional and business like with that, so it
would have to be worth their while. But yeah, I
think that's going to come those opportunities the more the
more players that go through, especially in the kicking and
punt from Ireland, that's going to be a real opportunity.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
It was great to spend time with.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Charlie, and you know we I felt like I knew
him so much because i'd I I basically wrote a
lot of the bios for the I wrote the media
guide for the ipp So I met Charlie online.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
We did a couple of bits.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I got all his information, wrote up his bio, I
spoke to him online for the few months after he
signed with the Saints, kind of gave him a little
bits of advice here and there about dealing with the media.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
So I felt like I really knew him. And then
I got to New Orleans and I was like, I've
never actually met you in person.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
And first of all, he's much taller than I thought,
which is what everyone says when they see me as
well for the first time in person. But what I
love about Charlie's story is he's such a fan, so
it's not like he had no interest in American football
and then just thought, well, okay, this is a way
to make some money. He loved the game. He's passionate
about it. He came and joined us in studio on
(15:57):
sky on the on the night and you know, he
was just like this is class. He was like, this
is brilliant, this is amazing. He was just having the
best time of his life. And to see that is
is really really really pleasing. And I'm I know he's
not going to be playing for the Steelers anytime soon,
but I hope he has a really big year with
(16:18):
the saying to be great.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
I know he's he's buzzing. There's a game in Ireland
that he's actually like and seeing his face when when
the game is announced, so I know he's absolutely buzzing.
And to see people like from his family and people
like when I've done an events separately from this podcast
in near you to see Sobney Steelers fans is is
really really good as well. They just for letting go
Mat you mentioned there, But you know, meeting coach Tomlin
(16:41):
down through the years obviously, I know you're drawn up,
you know, potentially drawing up your summer schedule now in
terms of training camps. So we'll see, you know, TVC
if you get to the trope or not. What's it
like down there, but also as well, just to sort
of end on it, this is something that we haven't like.
I had a chance to chat to Pat f Agry
last week Rod Woodson for this podcast, but we haven't
really talked too much around I guess, and this is
(17:02):
the issue when it's time relevant. The series are in
a really interesting position going into this new season, and
I'm fully aware this could completely change by the time
this podcast goes out, but as of right now, in
terms of if we're talking that the nineteenth of March
for people listening, they're in a really interesting spot. I mean,
how do you see it going in Because the thing
(17:23):
about the NFL is and we all know it, it
can top and turn, and she injured every moment.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
So I'll start with the second part.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
And obviously Aaron Rodgers' name has been put out there
and has been discussed. I think Rogers played really well
second half of last season. I think Aaron Rodgers has
gas left in the tank. I think Aaron Rodgers throwing
to DK Metcalf and George Pickens with that defense instantly
(17:52):
makes the Steelers a playoff team again. So that's exciting
to me. We'll see if that pans out. We'll see
if that becomes the case. I'm glad you asked me
about the training camp because I know this is an
official Steelers podcast. I don't want to sound like a homer,
but it's my favorite NFL training camp site. Genuinely, Yeah, genuinely.
(18:12):
I said this last year and the year before. The
reason being, so there's a large period at first of all,
it's just this beautiful campus in in La Trope, and
it's you know, it's you sometimes see the monks walking past,
going off to the to the cathedrals.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
And the you know, the monastery is there.
Speaker 5 (18:33):
And what I find amazing is that there's not always
music playing. So they there's large periods where it's very
old school. You go to most training camps now and
there's music blaring from start to finish. There are long
periods of a stealer's practice where there's no music and
it is fascinating. Like the fans that are on the hill,
they're in the bleachers. You can hear the pads smashing
(18:55):
against each other, you can hear coaches coach. You will
hear Mike Tomlin lot and.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
So that to me is just brilliant.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
It's It's just the most amazing place to watch a
training camp. The weather's not too hot, but it's hot enough.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
It's beautiful.
Speaker 5 (19:12):
It's sunny, and last year, I say it's sunny. Last
year it rained sideways. It absolutely poured. So we interviewed.
We were at They put us at the top of
a hill and then you're looking at the training ground
behind you, in the fields and the bleachers. Just the
perfect scene. So I'm interviewing Cam Hayward and that goes great,
(19:34):
and then Cam Hayward sort of halfway through the interview
sits up straight and almost puts himself kind of on parade,
and I can hear this like this like a golf
cart that's really revved up, and it's stopped right by
the cameras. I'm like, that's noisy, who's done that?
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Turned and looked over my shoulder.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
It's Mike Tomlin and it souped up golf cart ready
for his interview. So of course we stopped Cam hay
We went straight away. Coach Tomlin comes in gives us
five minutes. He's fantastic. Just as we finished, the storm
clouds are rolling in. We were waiting to interview TJ.
Watt and it starts absolutely I mean literally, we're running
(20:15):
for cover.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
It's bouncing off the ground.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
We got cameras with tripods. We're trying to carry everything
off and in the end we That was about eleven
o'clock in the morning. And then because it was raining
so hard outside, we couldn't find anywhere else to do
the interview. We had to do TJ. Watt at like
five o'clock at night because of the weather. My cameraman's
camera broke, so we had to cancel the TJ. Watt
(20:39):
interview and just say, right, we'll do it another day.
We're doing it another time. So yeah, it's not always
sunny in Latrobe, but it is my favorite place. It's
just an incredible training camp, old school training camp, real
training camp.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Really it's just perfect, just really great.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
From seeing the team, seeing what you mentioned at the
museum and the stadium, I can imagine it's exactly what
you're saying there is just different than I think. That's
what makes it team so great. Hopefully have a chance
myself to hell out, hoping to get in July ro August,
so who knows, Neil, maybe I'll see you there for
a couple of years something that we'll try and make
sure the ever's not too bad. But I know there's
a lot of people listening to this that appreciate the
(21:19):
work that you're putting into the island of Ireland as
well as the UK, and you know, thanks for getting
the game to this point. We're really really looking forward
to the fall and for this game and we'll definitely
get you to cook Park at some as some stage
board up. But for now, Germey Mugget, thank you very
very much and what Chatty said, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Irish Airline air Lingus 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
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
(21:59):
operated by the airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to
twenty four. Steelers fans traveling to Ireland for the Big
Game can enjoy a relaxing journey when they fly with
air Lingus, air Lingus, you're very welcome,
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 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.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome, folks.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
You're very pocket to the Irish Steeters podcast this week,
presented by air Lingus Folks. Irish Airline aer Lingus has
just announced plans to become an official airline partner of
the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a founding partner of Steelers Ireland,
air Lingus will be welcoming Steelers and all of Steelers
Nations to Dublin this autumn for what's set to be
a fantastic NFL showdown for listeners outside of Ireland. You
(01:03):
can book your flight to Dublin now at erlingus dot
com to make sure you don't miss out in any
of the action. And you're very welcome in to this
week's edition of the Irish Theaters Podcast, a very special
edition if you're an NFL fan in Ireland or the
UK listening, and we are absolutely delighted to bring on
this week the host of NFL on sky Sports NFL
in the UK and Ireland, Neil Reynolds. We talked to
(01:26):
Naim about his time in the trope and training camp
for the Staters and his hopes and falls ahead of
a historic audan to come for Staters Nation in Dublin.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Here's Neil.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Okay rolling on on. This week's episode of the Irish
Theaters Podcast is outed by Erlingus. Everybody who is a
Staders fan of NFL fan across the island of Ireland
and the UK and you're listening in, you're very very welcome.
We'll have heard of this man or no, this man.
He is the lead presenter on sky Sports NFL among
many other things which I should be listening, but there's
so many to say. Neil Rynolds, Nil a Falter, you're
(01:57):
very welcome to this podcast.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
How I did. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
I'm very good, Michael, Yeah, very very excited about what's
coming up in twenty twenty five. I'm enjoying the off
season because I've got to make the most of it.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
While i can.
Speaker 5 (02:10):
But also it is going to be just incredible. This
this coming year is just gonna be so special.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
It's probably on a thing now only Look you're you're
You're obviously very welcome, You're staying there, but enjoying the
off season. I know there's time to chill out and
time to relax, but I think it sort of says
where the game is at in Ireland and the UK
that it is it's quite busy, like there's a lot
of stuff going on, which is really really cool. The
Seas Dealers in entied a couple of weeks ago, and
I know for you, it never stops.
Speaker 5 (02:38):
No, No, I'm always doing something, so planning, you know,
planning tours, planning things around the island of Ireland and
some stuff I'm doing in the UK with Jason and Phoebe,
planning game programs for next year, Planning, yeah, trips and
different bits and pieces. So yeah, there's always something, and
(02:58):
you know, you can just take it for me, I
can take it at a slower pace in the in
the off season, that's the difference. You know, it's not
quite as demanding as it would be in the regular season.
But look, I just what's happening as well is and
you're seeing it with the Steelers in Ireland. These teams
are so invested in our markets now that you know,
you just you just almost have to grab onto their
(03:21):
coattails and keep up because they're going to drive it
and they're going to want to do things, you know,
and I just I come from a time when there
was nothing like that. You know, teams looking to do
what they're doing in these in our countries.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
It's amazing.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
So yeah, you sort of it means you stay busier
than you maybe would be normally or but it's a
it's a great thing, and I'm really excited about where
everything's going internationally.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
You're a genius because you've literally picked up on the
next question, like talking about those times like lead nineties,
early two visons to think where the league is now
that we're on a Pittsburgh Steelers podcast for Down of
the Irelands really really cool. I guess my question for you,
Neil is as an NFL fan first and foremost, And
were you aware of the Steelers connection in Ireland or
(04:08):
is that something that you've really sort of grown and
developed over the last few years. I know you guys
had a chance to go out there as well.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
Yeah, I think I think it's more more in recent years.
But obviously, I know the Steelers played in ninety seven
in preseason game, and I think there was always that
kind of attraction, So I knew it was I knew
it was there.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
I knew there was a heritage there.
Speaker 5 (04:29):
Obviously when mister Rooney was the ambassador that that kind
of kicked it on another level. So I feel they've
they're a perfect partner. I feel like they're a perfect partner.
People love, especially Americans. They love the history of Ireland,
they love the They get sentimental about it, and I
(04:51):
think that's quite right to do, and that makes the
Steelers a perfect fit the Steelers. When I think of
the Steelers, I think of tradition and history, and you
get sentimental about certain players and certain Super Bowls that
they won. So it's not like it's I don't know,
a team with no history that's attaching itself to Ireland.
(05:14):
It's a team rich in history, and so to me,
it's just a perfect marriage. It's really for me, it's
I use that word again, it's so exciting to see
what's happened so far. It's all going to kick into
another level whenever that regular season game is played.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Once we know when that is, that's going to kick
to another level.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
And then I think it will kick on and don't Yeah,
there's no way, and I don't know, I might be
asking answering the next question as well.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
There's no way this is going to be a one
and done. Absolutely no, I'm just excited to see the
one first off. I know a lot of this podcast
are so excited on people that you've had a chance
to meet down through the last few years as well.
Just really it seems like it's a fever pitch now.
And before we talk about I guess more recent I
remember there was the opportunity for Sky Sports to come
(06:04):
out to Pittsburgh for the season opener. I might have
been twenty twenty four, And I'm bringing that up because
you know, obviously, firstly you guys got to go out there,
but I remember when you started the show off and
I think Phoebe spoke to Art Rooney as well the.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Whole bar that we were watching and then went quiet.
And I think a lot of fans over here get
the significance of the team and what it means to
the market. But what was like going out there, Because
you know, going out there, and I know you do
your tour anyway, like you've obviously got a connection to
going out there and seeing what the trope is like.
But what was like going out there for that Week
one game, especially when it's favorite pitch. We'll not talk
about the result, but I've seen where you guys were
(06:40):
a standing for a live broadcast pretty special month.
Speaker 5 (06:43):
It was amazing, so as week won twenty twenty three
season and the whole weekend was just incredible from every
way you went. And I've been I've been to training
camp before, but to go and walk around on the
museum to hear about the connection between the fans and
(07:05):
the team, that was great. I'd met Tomlin, Mike Tomlin
earlier that summer in training camp and he kind of
talked about, you know, he talked about the standard, he
talked about you know that there's a reminder about what
it means to be a Steeler. As soon as you
walk in the building, all the Super Bowl trophies are there.
He said, it's a reminder and not a subtle one
(07:25):
about what the standard is. So I kind of had
all the I knew what it was. I knew what
I was going into. It was one of the most
storage franchises in the NFL. It's an iconic stadium. It's
one of the things when you think of special scenes,
it's the terrible towels being waived. So I knew what
to expect, sort of, and then it blew me away.
(07:47):
It blew me away. Santonio Holmes came and joined us pregame,
and it was about five minutes before kickoff, and I
actually turned to camera and there's a bit. They used
it a couple of times on Sky that year. I said,
this is not the play, this is not the super Bowl,
this is Week one. It was definite I've never heard.
I went back that weekend after that weekend and said,
(08:08):
that's the loudest crowd I've ever heard. It was the
loudest crowd I've ever heard. Now it got quite pretty quick.
We won't talk about that part of it, but it
was so special and to me, if you take these
wonderful Irish fans who are amazing when we go and
do the tours around the country, you feel the passion,
you see it, you know, we hear it all the time.
(08:29):
You combine that with people that are going to come
over from.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
Pittsburgh, that's going to be mad. It's going to be
absolutely crazy.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
It's gonna be my And look, I know you've been
over here both in Northern Ireland and the Republic numerous times.
But I guess as well for you, you know, obviously working
with a whole UKs scope of things and half on
the London games throughout the last fifteen to twenty years,
it is different and I think for a lot of
UK fans as well, and it's very very cool because
there's that sort of extra game like do you feel
(08:57):
like people that you've spoke to look at this game
now and on then like it's almost like a nice
little bonus scheme that we've got London, We've got Dublin
as well. I feel like a lot of people are
going to travel over in terms of ones that are
you know, usually need to go like Lundonam. I think
they we're going to get a lot of people that
will triangle to Dublin as well, and even if they
haven't got a ticket, I think they're going to try
and see everything. You haven't been the Coup Park of you,
it's going to say I haven't be inside.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
It still not I reckon. I don't know what.
Speaker 5 (09:21):
I think I can get all the way round to
the game before I go in there and see it.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
That would be amazing. We will definitely try badly.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
I think the people from the UK use the word
they can try, They can try to get to the game.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
This is going to be a hot ticket.
Speaker 5 (09:36):
I want to see the fans from Ireland, Northern Ireland there.
I do think there's going to be a big contingent
coming over from North America as well, which is just
going to add to it. It kind of adds to
the London game, so I don't think it detracts at all.
I think it's great to sort of have that multicultural
crowd there, But you know, I do I do want
to see the local fans have the chance to see
(09:58):
this game. You know, I've talked about this before the
amount of the amount of live shows I've done with
NFL over the years, and they'll be queuing out the
door of four hours before we go on stage.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
So yeah, I think it's Look, look all.
Speaker 5 (10:14):
These games now, if you're a fan in the UK,
you know you've got a chance to get on a
one hour flight to Dublin. You've got a chance to
maybe fly an hour and a half to Berlin, a
couple of hours to Madrid.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
I mean, this has.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Now become a really kind of European thing, and each
of those games will have a different feeling to them.
That will that would just be the you know, the
local slant that's put on it.
Speaker 4 (10:37):
And so yeah, I think it's going to be special.
I think it will be traveling fans from all over.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
I'm just hopeful that there's a big old green contingent
in there as well.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Leave that with me. I'll do two things. I'll try
and get you to the stadium before that, and then
we'll probably talk about that at a different point. I guess, Look,
this is actually something I want to ask you for
somebody that hasn't been to the stadium. How interesting doesn't
look to you because you've obviously got the hill, which
is not a proper it's not a false stand. But
then you've got it's because I was standing that at
last week whenever the Steelers had the flag football camp,
(11:07):
and I was thinking, like, this is going to be
just different because obviously the thing I love al atopen
them is that sort of cop stand where it just yeah,
and I think the atmosphere is going to be really
really cool as well. There isn't really a bad seat
in the stadium, which is the sem Totenham weem as well.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
To be fair, Yeah, I think it's I think it
looks fantastic. I think because it's quite wide. Isn't it
the the Gaelic football field, So I think.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
It's why it'll sort of be in and the players more.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Fiel it's going to come in.
Speaker 5 (11:33):
All I think selfishly is that's going to give me
more room to roam on the sidelines of the sky.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
So that's great.
Speaker 5 (11:38):
We can be down on the sideline watching this game
up close. Look, I think having a unique stadium, like
I wonder if they're with the Hill, whether they'll kind
of make something of that. I don't know, don't know
what they could do there, but look, it's it's an
amazing stadium.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
It's an amazing stadium.
Speaker 5 (11:55):
It's a city that I think people want to visit
for a weekend. I think the whole weekend is going
to be crazy. I would love to I think Monday morning,
Dublin Airport's going to look like some sort of zombie
cough apocalypse because people kind of make their way back,
kind of whispering.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
To each other, don't talk too loudly. It's going to be,
it will.
Speaker 5 (12:18):
Be, It'll be brilliant, it's going to be great. You know,
you're going to have the Steelers doing so much leading
up to it. I think we're seeing they're not just
paying lip service to this game. This is a franchise
that is so committed to the market. They're going to
really really pump this game and they're going to get
their just reward. That's going to be filled to the
(12:38):
rafters and it's going to be an incredible scene. I
think we should have. I would love to see and
you did this at the watch I think they did
this at the watch parties. I want the yellow Terrible towels,
but I want some green ones in there as well.
That would be great if that was just a sea
of yellow and green Terrible towels right before.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Okay, and I know it's the official team's podcast people
listening because it's something nice for the mentions as well.
I don't know what. I can't wait to see what
color of the toils are going to be. I'm sure
there'll be something special for the day and I'll not
get out in the way. I just don't know yet.
I think I feel like I feel like the hill
is seated for We spoke to the cdium directors, so
for people listening, hopefully that helps with their questions as well.
(13:20):
Neil look a lot of focus too much in the game,
which we know is coming in the autumn, and we
expect the NFL UK and Ireland GM. Henry Hodgson mentioned
the Crew Park last week for people listening around just
after the Drafters, So maybe early May we'll find out
the opponent and the details at NFL dot Com Slash Dublin.
Do not DM me or Neil looking tickets yet. Anyway,
we'll see Neil. Just on that you had a chance
(13:44):
to meet and obviously sort of I know you were
chatting the Charlie Smith a few months prior to the
ipp et cetera, and and you got to know them
very well. But I guess you had a chance to
sort of meet him properly at the Super Bowl in
New Orleans, which was actually really weird because that's something
for a lot of us lads never sort of go away.
Because that was the week where the game was announced
as well, and while Charlie's playing for the scenes, he
(14:06):
grew up ten minutes from the historic home of the Steelers.
It's really really cool generally to see players in the app,
whoever they're from Ireland, the UK, Europe, whatever. How cool
would it be because we're on a Steelers podcast, How
interesting or cool would be at some point down the
line to maybe have an Irish player player for the Steelers.
It would pretty awesome, wouldn't.
Speaker 5 (14:26):
Yeah, I think it would in the same way when
the Jags signed Lewis free summit and he came back
to the UK, and I think that connection is brilliant,
So it would be really special. And maybe that's something
that when the Steelers if they have a choice between
two or three players and one maybe can go on
to practice squad, that is something to look at.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
But I know these teams are completely.
Speaker 5 (14:49):
Ruthless and professional and business like with that, so it
would have to be worth their while. But yeah, I
think that's going to come those opportunities the more the
more players that go through, especially in the kicking and
punt from Ireland, that's going to be a real opportunity.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
It was great to spend time with.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Charlie, and you know we I felt like I knew
him so much because i'd I I basically wrote a
lot of the bios for the I wrote the media
guide for the ipp So I met Charlie online.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
We did a couple of bits.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I got all his information, wrote up his bio, I
spoke to him online for the few months after he
signed with the Saints, kind of gave him a little
bits of advice here and there about dealing with the media.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
So I felt like I really knew him. And then
I got to New Orleans and I was like, I've
never actually met you in person.
Speaker 5 (15:36):
And first of all, he's much taller than I thought,
which is what everyone says when they see me as
well for the first time in person. But what I
love about Charlie's story is he's such a fan, so
it's not like he had no interest in American football
and then just thought, well, okay, this is a way
to make some money. He loved the game. He's passionate
about it. He came and joined us in studio on
(15:57):
sky on the on the night and you know, he
was just like this is class. He was like, this
is brilliant, this is amazing. He was just having the
best time of his life. And to see that is
is really really really pleasing. And I'm I know he's
not going to be playing for the Steelers anytime soon,
but I hope he has a really big year with
(16:18):
the saying to be great.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
I know he's he's buzzing. There's a game in Ireland
that he's actually like and seeing his face when when
the game is announced, so I know he's absolutely buzzing.
And to see people like from his family and people
like when I've done an events separately from this podcast
in near you to see Sobney Steelers fans is is
really really good as well. They just for letting go
Mat you mentioned there, But you know, meeting coach Tomlin
(16:41):
down through the years obviously, I know you're drawn up,
you know, potentially drawing up your summer schedule now in
terms of training camps. So we'll see, you know, TVC
if you get to the trope or not. What's it
like down there, but also as well, just to sort
of end on it, this is something that we haven't like.
I had a chance to chat to Pat f Agry
last week Rod Woodson for this podcast, but we haven't
really talked too much around I guess, and this is
(17:02):
the issue when it's time relevant. The series are in
a really interesting position going into this new season, and
I'm fully aware this could completely change by the time
this podcast goes out, but as of right now, in
terms of if we're talking that the nineteenth of March
for people listening, they're in a really interesting spot. I mean,
how do you see it going in Because the thing
(17:23):
about the NFL is and we all know it, it
can top and turn, and she injured every moment.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
So I'll start with the second part.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
And obviously Aaron Rodgers' name has been put out there
and has been discussed. I think Rogers played really well
second half of last season. I think Aaron Rodgers has
gas left in the tank. I think Aaron Rodgers throwing
to DK Metcalf and George Pickens with that defense instantly
(17:52):
makes the Steelers a playoff team again. So that's exciting
to me. We'll see if that pans out. We'll see
if that becomes the case. I'm glad you asked me
about the training camp because I know this is an
official Steelers podcast. I don't want to sound like a homer,
but it's my favorite NFL training camp site. Genuinely, Yeah, genuinely.
(18:12):
I said this last year and the year before. The
reason being, so there's a large period at first of all,
it's just this beautiful campus in in La Trope, and
it's you know, it's you sometimes see the monks walking past,
going off to the to the cathedrals.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
And the you know, the monastery is there.
Speaker 5 (18:33):
And what I find amazing is that there's not always
music playing. So they there's large periods where it's very
old school. You go to most training camps now and
there's music blaring from start to finish. There are long
periods of a stealer's practice where there's no music and
it is fascinating. Like the fans that are on the hill,
they're in the bleachers. You can hear the pads smashing
(18:55):
against each other, you can hear coaches coach. You will
hear Mike Tomlin lot and.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
So that to me is just brilliant.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
It's It's just the most amazing place to watch a
training camp. The weather's not too hot, but it's hot enough.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
It's beautiful.
Speaker 5 (19:12):
It's sunny, and last year, I say it's sunny. Last
year it rained sideways. It absolutely poured. So we interviewed.
We were at They put us at the top of
a hill and then you're looking at the training ground
behind you, in the fields and the bleachers. Just the
perfect scene. So I'm interviewing Cam Hayward and that goes great,
(19:34):
and then Cam Hayward sort of halfway through the interview
sits up straight and almost puts himself kind of on parade,
and I can hear this like this like a golf
cart that's really revved up, and it's stopped right by
the cameras. I'm like, that's noisy, who's done that?
Speaker 4 (19:52):
Turned and looked over my shoulder.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
It's Mike Tomlin and it souped up golf cart ready
for his interview. So of course we stopped Cam hay
We went straight away. Coach Tomlin comes in gives us
five minutes. He's fantastic. Just as we finished, the storm
clouds are rolling in. We were waiting to interview TJ.
Watt and it starts absolutely I mean literally, we're running
(20:15):
for cover.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
It's bouncing off the ground.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
We got cameras with tripods. We're trying to carry everything
off and in the end we That was about eleven
o'clock in the morning. And then because it was raining
so hard outside, we couldn't find anywhere else to do
the interview. We had to do TJ. Watt at like
five o'clock at night because of the weather. My cameraman's
camera broke, so we had to cancel the TJ. Watt
(20:39):
interview and just say, right, we'll do it another day.
We're doing it another time. So yeah, it's not always
sunny in Latrobe, but it is my favorite place. It's
just an incredible training camp, old school training camp, real
training camp.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Really it's just perfect, just really great.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
From seeing the team, seeing what you mentioned at the
museum and the stadium, I can imagine it's exactly what
you're saying there is just different than I think. That's
what makes it team so great. Hopefully have a chance
myself to hell out, hoping to get in July ro August,
so who knows, Neil, maybe I'll see you there for
a couple of years something that we'll try and make
sure the ever's not too bad. But I know there's
a lot of people listening to this that appreciate the
(21:19):
work that you're putting into the island of Ireland as
well as the UK, and you know, thanks for getting
the game to this point. We're really really looking forward
to the fall and for this game and we'll definitely
get you to cook Park at some as some stage
board up. But for now, Germey Mugget, thank you very
very much and what Chatty said, thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Irish Airline air Lingus 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
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
(21:59):
operated by the airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to
twenty four. Steelers fans traveling to Ireland for the Big
Game can enjoy a relaxing journey when they fly with
air Lingus, air Lingus, you're very welcome,
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