August 15, 2025 • 18 mins
This week, Michael looks ahead to the second preseason game for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Steelers correspondent Missi Matthews. You can watch the game on Sunday morning at 12AM on Virgin Media and also listen on Off The Ball!
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Episode Transcript
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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, everybody. Welcome into the Irish
Status podcast. Michael mccuator as a weekend ready for Week
two of the NFL preseason in twenty twenty five with
our Pittsburgh Steelers in their quote unquote home opener at
(00:53):
Acritur Stadium. We've seen the guys warm up and train
at the stadium this week. Really cool to see some
pitt Alum take the thing for the first time. Als
Steelers and Steelers Nation, it is time to take flight
with aer Lingus. An official airline partner of the Pittsburgh
Steeters and the founding partner of Steelers Ireland. There's never
been a better time to book your trip to Dublin.
(01:14):
With nineteen North American gateways, including flights from nearby Cleveland,
you can get ready for warm Irish hospitality and plenty
of room on board for your terrible title, whether it's
a game day or just to get away. Aerlingus looks
forward to saying you're very welcome to the players and
fans of the Pittsburgh Staters. You can book now at
air lingus dot com and that doublin game. With every
(01:37):
podcast gets even closer. Can you believe last week was
the one hundredth episodes of this podcast. Thank you so
much for everybody that listens, subscribes, shares the podcast, We
really appreciate it. With the season coming up, please do
use the hashtag Steelers Ireland to get involved to ask
some questions we'd love to hear from you. Obviously, the
second preseason game, first home preseason game for the Pittsburgh States,
(02:00):
taking place late Saturday night. That's going to be Sunday morning,
midnight our time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Akasher Stadium.
Just to let you know, if you're listening to this
podcast this weekend, the game is on Virgin Media. You
can also listen on Off the Ball. How good is
that for an NFL fan from the island of Ireland
having a chance to watch a preseason game on TV
but also listen as well. Maybe you're on the road
(02:22):
home from away Assistant Croak Park the last big gig
arguably before the twenty twenty five NFL doubling game. If
you are in a road home from the concert, Paul
really won't listen to it. Big game ahead. Fantastic guest
this week, a woman that's going to be on the
sidelines tomorrow night. On Sunday morning, shall I say? Missy
Matthews returns to the Irish Theaters Podcast. A great listen,
(02:42):
great breakdown in the preseason so far. Here is Missy
on the Irish Theaters Podcast. Okay, another week all of
preseason action for the Staters coming up. We're delivel with
on the Irish Theaters Podcast to bring back very quickly
after her last appearance Staters Reporter obviously with the Pittsburgh Seeders.
Missy Matthews Missy. It's good to see you again. How
are you doing good.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I'm good. I'm counting down, you know, the days and weeks.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
So we are in Dublin, in your territory, but you know,
wrapping up training camp in the preseason, and it's crazy
that it's almost here.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's crazy because it's funny you mentioned that, like I
think it's like the go to question for any guest
on a podcast night. And I know we've spoke about
it before, but we were speaking about it off camera.
It's flying in now. Like again, we're what six weeks
os and obviously when it comes to that, there's so
much more involved in that football as well. And we'll
not talk about when you're going to get in, but
you know how excited you just just to get over
(03:37):
here and hopefully for yourself see a bit of the
city as well.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
I'm pomped. It's a place I've never been to before.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
Obviously, I understand the risk rich history nected to the
island because of the Rooney family and have heard so
much about it, and I just I was very blown
away when we went to London in twenty thirteen, you know,
standing on the pitch, it was just one of those
like crazy moments where you're like, am I seriously here
(04:04):
right now? And I feel like Croke Park has that
same mystique, so like can't wait to do that, but
just can't wait to explore and as you said, hopefully
do some like non work things. But I think even
work things in Ireland I would consider fun.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah, I know there's a lot planned which I know
people are going to find out, but very soon looking forward,
so I'm sure we'll get the chance to me as well.
Honestly looking forward to seeing not just Staters fans, but
fl fans in the city that weekend. It's going to
be really really cool. If you're neutral, you've got to
support the designated home team, folks, if you're listening to this,
you got support the Staters and this see really cool
time over here. We have the chance. So the preseason
(04:40):
games are on Virsion Media over here, which is one
of the national broadcasters over here, and also fans can
listen to the broadcast on OTV Sports Radio, so people
got a chance to check out the broadcast last weekend.
Do you like you've worked for the team for a while,
do you find it crazy and a good way that
fans now can actually be connected to the point where
they can sit at midnight on a Saturday night and
(05:02):
see everybody from the Staters media team talking about the game.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
I mean, the outreach is crazy. I remember when it
was first, you know, we had like a Mexico broadcast team,
you know that was crazy, or even just being able
to see the games, and it just feels like it's
expanding and expanding.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
But it makes total sense.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
And I just think the Steelers are such a popular
team even you know, if you grew up in Pittsburgh
and moved away, you're still a Steelers fan and you're
raising your kids to be a Steelers fan. You don't
have to just be in the city. And I think it,
you know, we've talked about it before. Just anytime we
go on the road for an away game, it's insane
how many Steelers fans are there.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
I met so like obviously went over to the Trope
a couple of weeks ago, and we just missed each
other on that day for some reason. We'll obviously meete
up in Dublin. But I met fans, and look, I
know it's one thing people in Europe saying this, but
I met Staters fans that have flew into a family
day on the Sunday. I think it was a third
of all California from different states, like on the West Coast,
on the East coast, and when people, if you if
(06:07):
fans over here actually think about it, like the size
of Europe and the size of the US, that's a
big deal for people to fly into something like that.
I really liked how interactive it was. And the thing
that really got me, Missy was, yes, the players are
there to train to do their job, but there's so
many opportunities for fans to interact with the players at
the end, like the amount of players to stay behind
(06:28):
at the end and spoke to the fans on the hill,
and even that walk up and down. It's really specialism.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
It's cool. Yeah, I think it. Like you said, it's
just when they leave the.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Locker room, there's barriers, but fans are literally right there,
like you're getting a high five from somebody if you
secure one of those spots. And I can tell you
that every morning, it did not matter how early I
was driving onto campus, cars lined up waiting to get
into the parking lot, which did not open until eleven am.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
And that was only towards.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
I think the first two days it was twelve and
then they moved it to eleven because there were just
people lining the outskirts of campus just to get a
parking spot and then just to get in. And you
we always caught like the running of the bulls, Like
when they open those gates, people run because they know
where some of the good spots are.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
And then you're sitting there holding, you know, down the.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Forward of your spot for hours almost to get a
glimpse or a high five, or an autograph or a
glove of whatever of your favorite player or.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Just any stealer.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
And it's really cool, even like Arthur Smith every day
walking up the one way, you know, everything is up
a hill, I feel like from that field, but going
towards where like the coaches and players dorm and have meetings.
Like every day I was there, I saw him signing.
You know, it's not just players. Coach Tomlin does it too.
(07:55):
It's just it is really cool. As you said, I
understand why people want to experience it. When Pat McAfee
and his crew were there, he was joking, but it's serious.
It's like if you grow up in Pittsburgh, it's a
rite of passage that you have to go to Steelers
training camp at some point in your life.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
And even when I was talking to my brother who
lives in Florida.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
The other day, he was like, what year did we
go from that one photo? You know, like you're trying
to think back, but you know that you were there,
and it's just.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Really cool to see, especially when the people.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
From outside of the area come and when they're you know,
getting on a plane, running a hotel.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
It's cool.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
It is and I really would recommend anybody listening then
if you get a chance, try and go next year.
Maybe we can go at the same time. We will
see what happens. Yeah, And one of the big things
that have changed my seasons we last spoke to a
more developed extent is the impact on the obviously the
introduction of Aaron Rodgers to this team and how do
you find him in camp? Because I was really excited
(08:57):
to see how the offense was sort of jalleng even
being there one day. How do you find him coming
into the team so far.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
I think like he is everything and more that they
hoped for. I know coach Tomlin just talked about how
he when they were talking on the phone before Aaron
decided to come here, even before he signed.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
It was like he wanted to know his.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Why, Like why at forty one four time MVP, we've
won a super Bowl already, Like why do you want
to go to a new.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Team, Why do you want to start from scratch? Why
do you want to play with young kids?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
And he's like I was so comfortable with his why
and his love of the game, which is how I
feel like coach views it, like the love of the game,
almost like a steward of it, and even from a
historical perspective. But he has been super accommodating. Like when
we had a chance to do a sit down interview
(09:49):
with him, it wasn't rushed, He wasn't, you know, giving
quick answers.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
He was extremely articulate and thoughtful.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
He's funny, you know, and I just you see why
the players gravitate towards him. It's even the small things,
like when they're warming up, he makes sure he's always
by the defensive guys, you know, like he's not with
offensive guys and that's small and little, but you know,
he's going with the third string guys. He does not care.
(10:18):
He eats lunch with different people. He's just really made
it a point to like immerse himself and to let
people see who he is and not what they think
he is, if that makes sense. But I just think
even you know, he didn't touch a football other than
warming up in Jacksonville with Pat fried Ruth and DK Metcalf,
(10:39):
but he had, you.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Know, one of the coaches.
Speaker 4 (10:44):
Headsets on during the game and just helping guys, talking
to Arthur Smith. It's just he does everything right, if
that makes sense. But it's from a very genuine place, and.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
It's one of those things for people listening and they
might not get too close to the eyes action when
they're not there, like I seeing at the end of
practice he sat down and it was a warm day.
I think anybody, whether you were running or not, was
probably tired after even standing there for a couple of hours,
never mind dannathing else. He sat and took pictures of
kids who were on the field for maybe ten twenty minutes.
(11:17):
We got a chance to chat to him, and the
thing that stood out to me was just how not
not chilled, but also very like assertive he was. And
he just seems very relaxed at this point in his career,
so it's very it's going to be very interesting to
see how he does with his team, and also it's
obviously very exciting. And that comes into really sort of
looking back on last week on this game in Jacksonville.
(11:38):
It's hard to pinpoint certain things from preseason, but we
know there's a lot of first stringers that might not play.
But if you had, if you had any key takeaways
from that game this see what would they have been.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
I mean the offense used the middle of the field,
they were moving the ball, they took care of the football,
there were no interceptions, and yeah, I know it's not
Rogers in the first team, but I just think that
it was a refreshing thing to see coming from an
Arthur Smith offense in year two.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Just some of the things.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Even Mason Brudolph, I mean, he was only gone for
a year, but it feels like he came back like
rejuvenated or something, and really mesh as well with what
Arthur is asking him to do. And I think the defense,
like I just I cannot wait until we can finally
see the three headed monster, as Cam Hayward called it
of Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Junior and Darius lay out
(12:33):
there together with you know, all of the rest of
the first teamers, just to see it in a game,
because they're talking a lot about it very confidently, and
I don't think you do that if you're not that confident.
You know, it's it takes a little bit, I think,
to say, you know, we're gonna be one of the
(12:54):
top defenses.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
You don't just say that. It's not, you know, some
wishy washy thing. And I think they mean it. So
I'm very excited to see how it all plays out.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
I love all of the draft picks that they got
to but I mean, you know, free agency and trades
are just insane. When you go back and look at
the timeline of when the season ended in Baltimore and
then all the pieces that moved or came all the
way up to training camp.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
It's nuts.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
It's great to see. And if we sort of look
ahead to this week, it's going to be Sunday morning
for us. It's a Saturday night obviously, Sunday morning midnight
time our time. It's on Virgin Media on television, and
also you can listen on Off the Ball Sports radio.
You can get the go Light op to listen there
Steelers home open or in the preseason to an extent
against the Books. When we get down to now where
(13:48):
we've got last preseason games, mess say, we know when
we get to that second and third game, we are
seeing someone whose guys sacond first tringers. But still a
lot to look forward to because we try and just
get better every week. This week against the Books.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Yeah, and I think that's it. It's a process. And
when it was.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
Four games, you know it was the third game where
you would see people. Now it's kind of usually the
second game because there's only three preseason games where you see.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
More of the ones.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
But even like a Calvin Austen, you know he's missed
some practice time because he's been hurt.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Like, I want to see him out on the field.
I don't care which quarterbacks throwing to him.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Because he has the ability to continue to have his
arrow pointed up. As coach Melan said, building off of
last year Caleb Johnson, you know he needs as many
rookie snaps as he can get in the preseason.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I think obviously you.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Know some good and some bad from that first game,
but I just want to see him continue to work
he is one of those guys that has that mentality.
He's physical, he is you know, puts his head down
and does all the right things as a rookie and
really listens to a lot of the veterans and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
But it'll be exciting to see.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
We don't know exactly who's playing or who's not just yet,
but I think even like you said, it's the only
home game, it's the home opener for the preseason.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Does coach announce the offense or the defense?
Speaker 4 (15:09):
Does he do the offense and let Aaron Rodgers run
out that tunnel whether he's playing or not, Like you know,
I that's my boys are going to the game with
my husband and they're like, who's playing, who's not? You know,
they want to know, and it's I just think there's
a buzz and there's excitement, Not that there isn't every season,
but there's just there's something slightly different.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
And I think it's because.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Of all the changes that have happened and how it
seems to be coming to fruition from La Trobe now
back into Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
As we're what three weeks away from the season starting.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
I mean, it's crazy, scary times scary times and a
great way, as we say in art and scary Biscuits said,
I'm really really pumped. This is probably the last time
we're going to have you on I'd say before that
Dublin week on this podcast when I'll ask you this
before we go, And really interesting to start to the season.
That's on the road week one. We all know obviously
Justin Fay is gonna. Actually had the chance to meet
(16:04):
him two weeks ago and we talked about that and
he said he cannot wait until lack games. What's gonna
be interesting that And then obviously home opener, go on
the road East Coast. I like that East Coast game
before the trip to Ireland. It's a nice start to
the season. And look for for anah and like, well
how many games, like every game is so important? Do
you like that starts? And just watch your thoughts with
(16:25):
those first few weeks just before we wrap up.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
I like the one o'clock starts selfishly, but I feel like,
especially that week three, if you're gonna go on the
road before you have to travel to Dublin, it better
be an early game, not coming off like a Sunday
night or something. And I know you know, once.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
The schedule's out there, it's not that you can change it,
but we can all complain about it. But I do
think it's you know, Justin Field's playing his old team,
Aaron Rodgers playing his old team, and then week two
it's like the DK Metcalf Bowl, you know, with the
Seahawks coming to town.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
So it is.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Interesting and I think think, you know, the New England
Patriots are a different New England Patriots team, then we're
all used to seeing a different head coach.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Even they're a rookie running back.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
I've seen a lot of flashes from him, just you know,
reading things and trying to stay up with the rest
of the league.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
So it'll definitely be interesting for sure.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
Yeah, I more so wish our bye week was later
than what happens before we go to Dublin, but I
also kind of understand why.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
It's that week.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, it's one of those things, I guess when you're
an international fund it's like sometimes it works and sometimes
as well, like the league just put it down there
as well, So like I actually like it. I like
the way that there's a bit of a reset there
and they come back, especially because we don't know how
the season's going to start, and hopefully it starts well
on the rolling in the Dublinsy, you know, and I
will see what happens. Wish you all the very very
(17:49):
best over the next few weeks, Missy, and for anyone listening,
you can check out the staters broadcast obviously on Virgin
Media over the next couple of weeks. Listen as they
said on o TV Sports Radio, get your fix of
Missy on the tape there as well, and em measy,
we'll chat to you soon. Thanks so much for coming on.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Yeah, I can't wait to see you in person next time.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
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 excel Or aircraft.
This brings the number of Transatlantic routes operated by the
(18:45):
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, everybody. Welcome into the Irish
Status podcast. Michael mccuator as a weekend ready for Week
two of the NFL preseason in twenty twenty five with
our Pittsburgh Steelers in their quote unquote home opener at
(00:53):
Acritur Stadium. We've seen the guys warm up and train
at the stadium this week. Really cool to see some
pitt Alum take the thing for the first time. Als
Steelers and Steelers Nation, it is time to take flight
with aer Lingus. An official airline partner of the Pittsburgh
Steeters and the founding partner of Steelers Ireland. There's never
been a better time to book your trip to Dublin.
(01:14):
With nineteen North American gateways, including flights from nearby Cleveland,
you can get ready for warm Irish hospitality and plenty
of room on board for your terrible title, whether it's
a game day or just to get away. Aerlingus looks
forward to saying you're very welcome to the players and
fans of the Pittsburgh Staters. You can book now at
air lingus dot com and that doublin game. With every
(01:37):
podcast gets even closer. Can you believe last week was
the one hundredth episodes of this podcast. Thank you so
much for everybody that listens, subscribes, shares the podcast, We
really appreciate it. With the season coming up, please do
use the hashtag Steelers Ireland to get involved to ask
some questions we'd love to hear from you. Obviously, the
second preseason game, first home preseason game for the Pittsburgh States,
(02:00):
taking place late Saturday night. That's going to be Sunday morning,
midnight our time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Akasher Stadium.
Just to let you know, if you're listening to this
podcast this weekend, the game is on Virgin Media. You
can also listen on Off the Ball. How good is
that for an NFL fan from the island of Ireland
having a chance to watch a preseason game on TV
but also listen as well. Maybe you're on the road
(02:22):
home from away Assistant Croak Park the last big gig
arguably before the twenty twenty five NFL doubling game. If
you are in a road home from the concert, Paul
really won't listen to it. Big game ahead. Fantastic guest
this week, a woman that's going to be on the
sidelines tomorrow night. On Sunday morning, shall I say? Missy
Matthews returns to the Irish Theaters Podcast. A great listen,
(02:42):
great breakdown in the preseason so far. Here is Missy
on the Irish Theaters Podcast. Okay, another week all of
preseason action for the Staters coming up. We're delivel with
on the Irish Theaters Podcast to bring back very quickly
after her last appearance Staters Reporter obviously with the Pittsburgh Seeders.
Missy Matthews Missy. It's good to see you again. How
are you doing good.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I'm good. I'm counting down, you know, the days and weeks.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
So we are in Dublin, in your territory, but you know,
wrapping up training camp in the preseason, and it's crazy
that it's almost here.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's crazy because it's funny you mentioned that, like I
think it's like the go to question for any guest
on a podcast night. And I know we've spoke about
it before, but we were speaking about it off camera.
It's flying in now. Like again, we're what six weeks
os and obviously when it comes to that, there's so
much more involved in that football as well. And we'll
not talk about when you're going to get in, but
you know how excited you just just to get over
(03:37):
here and hopefully for yourself see a bit of the
city as well.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
I'm pomped. It's a place I've never been to before.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
Obviously, I understand the risk rich history nected to the
island because of the Rooney family and have heard so
much about it, and I just I was very blown
away when we went to London in twenty thirteen, you know,
standing on the pitch, it was just one of those
like crazy moments where you're like, am I seriously here
(04:04):
right now? And I feel like Croke Park has that
same mystique, so like can't wait to do that, but
just can't wait to explore and as you said, hopefully
do some like non work things. But I think even
work things in Ireland I would consider fun.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah, I know there's a lot planned which I know
people are going to find out, but very soon looking forward,
so I'm sure we'll get the chance to me as well.
Honestly looking forward to seeing not just Staters fans, but
fl fans in the city that weekend. It's going to
be really really cool. If you're neutral, you've got to
support the designated home team, folks, if you're listening to this,
you got support the Staters and this see really cool
time over here. We have the chance. So the preseason
(04:40):
games are on Virsion Media over here, which is one
of the national broadcasters over here, and also fans can
listen to the broadcast on OTV Sports Radio, so people
got a chance to check out the broadcast last weekend.
Do you like you've worked for the team for a while,
do you find it crazy and a good way that
fans now can actually be connected to the point where
they can sit at midnight on a Saturday night and
(05:02):
see everybody from the Staters media team talking about the game.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
I mean, the outreach is crazy. I remember when it
was first, you know, we had like a Mexico broadcast team,
you know that was crazy, or even just being able
to see the games, and it just feels like it's
expanding and expanding.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
But it makes total sense.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
And I just think the Steelers are such a popular
team even you know, if you grew up in Pittsburgh
and moved away, you're still a Steelers fan and you're
raising your kids to be a Steelers fan. You don't
have to just be in the city. And I think it,
you know, we've talked about it before. Just anytime we
go on the road for an away game, it's insane
how many Steelers fans are there.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
I met so like obviously went over to the Trope
a couple of weeks ago, and we just missed each
other on that day for some reason. We'll obviously meete
up in Dublin. But I met fans, and look, I
know it's one thing people in Europe saying this, but
I met Staters fans that have flew into a family
day on the Sunday. I think it was a third
of all California from different states, like on the West Coast,
on the East coast, and when people, if you if
(06:07):
fans over here actually think about it, like the size
of Europe and the size of the US, that's a
big deal for people to fly into something like that.
I really liked how interactive it was. And the thing
that really got me, Missy was, yes, the players are
there to train to do their job, but there's so
many opportunities for fans to interact with the players at
the end, like the amount of players to stay behind
(06:28):
at the end and spoke to the fans on the hill,
and even that walk up and down. It's really specialism.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
It's cool. Yeah, I think it. Like you said, it's
just when they leave the.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Locker room, there's barriers, but fans are literally right there,
like you're getting a high five from somebody if you
secure one of those spots. And I can tell you
that every morning, it did not matter how early I
was driving onto campus, cars lined up waiting to get
into the parking lot, which did not open until eleven am.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
And that was only towards.
Speaker 4 (06:59):
I think the first two days it was twelve and
then they moved it to eleven because there were just
people lining the outskirts of campus just to get a
parking spot and then just to get in. And you
we always caught like the running of the bulls, Like
when they open those gates, people run because they know
where some of the good spots are.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
And then you're sitting there holding, you know, down the.
Speaker 4 (07:22):
Forward of your spot for hours almost to get a
glimpse or a high five, or an autograph or a
glove of whatever of your favorite player or.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Just any stealer.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
And it's really cool, even like Arthur Smith every day
walking up the one way, you know, everything is up
a hill, I feel like from that field, but going
towards where like the coaches and players dorm and have meetings.
Like every day I was there, I saw him signing.
You know, it's not just players. Coach Tomlin does it too.
(07:55):
It's just it is really cool. As you said, I
understand why people want to experience it. When Pat McAfee
and his crew were there, he was joking, but it's serious.
It's like if you grow up in Pittsburgh, it's a
rite of passage that you have to go to Steelers
training camp at some point in your life.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
And even when I was talking to my brother who
lives in Florida.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
The other day, he was like, what year did we
go from that one photo? You know, like you're trying
to think back, but you know that you were there,
and it's just.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Really cool to see, especially when the people.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
From outside of the area come and when they're you know,
getting on a plane, running a hotel.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
It's cool.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
It is and I really would recommend anybody listening then
if you get a chance, try and go next year.
Maybe we can go at the same time. We will
see what happens. Yeah, And one of the big things
that have changed my seasons we last spoke to a
more developed extent is the impact on the obviously the
introduction of Aaron Rodgers to this team and how do
you find him in camp? Because I was really excited
(08:57):
to see how the offense was sort of jalleng even
being there one day. How do you find him coming
into the team so far.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
I think like he is everything and more that they
hoped for. I know coach Tomlin just talked about how
he when they were talking on the phone before Aaron
decided to come here, even before he signed.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
It was like he wanted to know his.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
Why, Like why at forty one four time MVP, we've
won a super Bowl already, Like why do you want
to go to a new.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Team, Why do you want to start from scratch? Why
do you want to play with young kids?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
And he's like I was so comfortable with his why
and his love of the game, which is how I
feel like coach views it, like the love of the game,
almost like a steward of it, and even from a
historical perspective. But he has been super accommodating. Like when
we had a chance to do a sit down interview
(09:49):
with him, it wasn't rushed, He wasn't, you know, giving
quick answers.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
He was extremely articulate and thoughtful.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
He's funny, you know, and I just you see why
the players gravitate towards him. It's even the small things,
like when they're warming up, he makes sure he's always
by the defensive guys, you know, like he's not with
offensive guys and that's small and little, but you know,
he's going with the third string guys. He does not care.
(10:18):
He eats lunch with different people. He's just really made
it a point to like immerse himself and to let
people see who he is and not what they think
he is, if that makes sense. But I just think
even you know, he didn't touch a football other than
warming up in Jacksonville with Pat fried Ruth and DK Metcalf,
(10:39):
but he had, you.
Speaker 3 (10:40):
Know, one of the coaches.
Speaker 4 (10:44):
Headsets on during the game and just helping guys, talking
to Arthur Smith. It's just he does everything right, if
that makes sense. But it's from a very genuine place, and.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
It's one of those things for people listening and they
might not get too close to the eyes action when
they're not there, like I seeing at the end of
practice he sat down and it was a warm day.
I think anybody, whether you were running or not, was
probably tired after even standing there for a couple of hours,
never mind dannathing else. He sat and took pictures of
kids who were on the field for maybe ten twenty minutes.
(11:17):
We got a chance to chat to him, and the
thing that stood out to me was just how not
not chilled, but also very like assertive he was. And
he just seems very relaxed at this point in his career,
so it's very it's going to be very interesting to
see how he does with his team, and also it's
obviously very exciting. And that comes into really sort of
looking back on last week on this game in Jacksonville.
(11:38):
It's hard to pinpoint certain things from preseason, but we
know there's a lot of first stringers that might not play.
But if you had, if you had any key takeaways
from that game this see what would they have been.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
I mean the offense used the middle of the field,
they were moving the ball, they took care of the football,
there were no interceptions, and yeah, I know it's not
Rogers in the first team, but I just think that
it was a refreshing thing to see coming from an
Arthur Smith offense in year two.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Just some of the things.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Even Mason Brudolph, I mean, he was only gone for
a year, but it feels like he came back like
rejuvenated or something, and really mesh as well with what
Arthur is asking him to do. And I think the defense,
like I just I cannot wait until we can finally
see the three headed monster, as Cam Hayward called it
of Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Junior and Darius lay out
(12:33):
there together with you know, all of the rest of
the first teamers, just to see it in a game,
because they're talking a lot about it very confidently, and
I don't think you do that if you're not that confident.
You know, it's it takes a little bit, I think,
to say, you know, we're gonna be one of the
(12:54):
top defenses.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
You don't just say that. It's not, you know, some
wishy washy thing. And I think they mean it. So
I'm very excited to see how it all plays out.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
I love all of the draft picks that they got
to but I mean, you know, free agency and trades
are just insane. When you go back and look at
the timeline of when the season ended in Baltimore and
then all the pieces that moved or came all the
way up to training camp.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
It's nuts.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
It's great to see. And if we sort of look
ahead to this week, it's going to be Sunday morning
for us. It's a Saturday night obviously, Sunday morning midnight
time our time. It's on Virgin Media on television, and
also you can listen on Off the Ball Sports radio.
You can get the go Light op to listen there
Steelers home open or in the preseason to an extent
against the Books. When we get down to now where
(13:48):
we've got last preseason games, mess say, we know when
we get to that second and third game, we are
seeing someone whose guys sacond first tringers. But still a
lot to look forward to because we try and just
get better every week. This week against the Books.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Yeah, and I think that's it. It's a process. And
when it was.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
Four games, you know it was the third game where
you would see people. Now it's kind of usually the
second game because there's only three preseason games where you see.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
More of the ones.
Speaker 4 (14:13):
But even like a Calvin Austen, you know he's missed
some practice time because he's been hurt.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Like, I want to see him out on the field.
I don't care which quarterbacks throwing to him.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Because he has the ability to continue to have his
arrow pointed up. As coach Melan said, building off of
last year Caleb Johnson, you know he needs as many
rookie snaps as he can get in the preseason.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I think obviously you.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Know some good and some bad from that first game,
but I just want to see him continue to work
he is one of those guys that has that mentality.
He's physical, he is you know, puts his head down
and does all the right things as a rookie and
really listens to a lot of the veterans and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
But it'll be exciting to see.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
We don't know exactly who's playing or who's not just yet,
but I think even like you said, it's the only
home game, it's the home opener for the preseason.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Does coach announce the offense or the defense?
Speaker 4 (15:09):
Does he do the offense and let Aaron Rodgers run
out that tunnel whether he's playing or not, Like you know,
I that's my boys are going to the game with
my husband and they're like, who's playing, who's not? You know,
they want to know, and it's I just think there's
a buzz and there's excitement, Not that there isn't every season,
but there's just there's something slightly different.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
And I think it's because.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
Of all the changes that have happened and how it
seems to be coming to fruition from La Trobe now
back into Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
As we're what three weeks away from the season starting.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
I mean, it's crazy, scary times scary times and a
great way, as we say in art and scary Biscuits said,
I'm really really pumped. This is probably the last time
we're going to have you on I'd say before that
Dublin week on this podcast when I'll ask you this
before we go, And really interesting to start to the season.
That's on the road week one. We all know obviously
Justin Fay is gonna. Actually had the chance to meet
(16:04):
him two weeks ago and we talked about that and
he said he cannot wait until lack games. What's gonna
be interesting that And then obviously home opener, go on
the road East Coast. I like that East Coast game
before the trip to Ireland. It's a nice start to
the season. And look for for anah and like, well
how many games, like every game is so important? Do
you like that starts? And just watch your thoughts with
(16:25):
those first few weeks just before we wrap up.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
I like the one o'clock starts selfishly, but I feel like,
especially that week three, if you're gonna go on the
road before you have to travel to Dublin, it better
be an early game, not coming off like a Sunday
night or something. And I know you know, once.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
The schedule's out there, it's not that you can change it,
but we can all complain about it. But I do
think it's you know, Justin Field's playing his old team,
Aaron Rodgers playing his old team, and then week two
it's like the DK Metcalf Bowl, you know, with the
Seahawks coming to town.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
So it is.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Interesting and I think think, you know, the New England
Patriots are a different New England Patriots team, then we're
all used to seeing a different head coach.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Even they're a rookie running back.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
I've seen a lot of flashes from him, just you know,
reading things and trying to stay up with the rest
of the league.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
So it'll definitely be interesting for sure.
Speaker 4 (17:19):
Yeah, I more so wish our bye week was later
than what happens before we go to Dublin, but I
also kind of understand why.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
It's that week.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
Yeah, it's one of those things, I guess when you're
an international fund it's like sometimes it works and sometimes
as well, like the league just put it down there
as well, So like I actually like it. I like
the way that there's a bit of a reset there
and they come back, especially because we don't know how
the season's going to start, and hopefully it starts well
on the rolling in the Dublinsy, you know, and I
will see what happens. Wish you all the very very
(17:49):
best over the next few weeks, Missy, and for anyone listening,
you can check out the staters broadcast obviously on Virgin
Media over the next couple of weeks. Listen as they
said on o TV Sports Radio, get your fix of
Missy on the tape there as well, and em measy,
we'll chat to you soon. Thanks so much for coming on.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Yeah, I can't wait to see you in person next time.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
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 excel Or aircraft.
This brings the number of Transatlantic routes operated by the
(18:45):
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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