May 16, 2023 • 23 mins
Arthur Moats and Wesley Uhler break down the Steelers 2023-24 schedule from all angles.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Sekuler and Motes are on the air. This is the
Steelers Blitz on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Gold A skin are Steelers Nation Radio?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Pot still and non Steals Nation? And how are we
doing today? It is art? The most sits is what's
near the end. This is stealing the blitz right here
on Steels Nation Radio. And ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
Between the two of us, one has a decade long
NFL experience, the other in immaculate head up here. But
the one thing each and every one of you guys
(00:51):
need to understand is we officially have Pittsburgh Steelers twenty
twenty three season schedule, regular and preseason included. Might I
add a couple of tv ds? But I believe about
ninety eight percent of the schedule is fully complete and
(01:13):
we are going to be deep diving into all of that.
So would that be in the case? How is my
partner doing?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Man, fantastic Mozi? Another day? Another dollar one, another day
closer here to being a father of two instead of
a father one.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
The clock is taking Tell you what I was nervous
about today's show.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I was ruled that up real quick we're gonna double
that one child of two real quick. We're gonna we're
gonna double that up real.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Quick, doublet double.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
We are still doing this show on Tuesday as usual,
so that means no child yet. But if we don't
do a show on Thursday, well that.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Means a child.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
That means it means child.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
It's a simple concept, ladies and gentlemen. It's really simple.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
So I'm a little I mean, I know you remember
what this is like. I've got the whole to do,
you know, the whole checklist before baby. Make sure this
is ready, make sure that's built, make sure this has
packed all those different things the car seat this, and
in the in the crib that and everything. So you know,
i'm a little I'm a little spread out here, but
I am always I'm always excited to to slow down
(02:18):
and chop it up with you here for a little bit.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Well, I always love this time, you know, when the
anticipation of the baby coming, because as a defender, it
would always remind me of when you get off the field.
You know, you feel like, man, we done, finally did
our job. Let's take a rest, let's talk caps some
fun on the bench, and then it's a turnover and
they sudden change. You's got to get up. Oh why
did you all get back out there?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Man, So right now we're in the chill part, you're
on the bench. Everything is cool, it's a vibe.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
But one of these days in the upcoming future, you're
gonna get that call and it's gonna be sudden change,
and yeah, man, it all becomes live dad baby, And
I'm excited for you, bro.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Excit, it's gonna get real real quick, real real real
real queen. Yes, but no, man, Like I said, definitely
excited for you. But with that being the case, let's
make sure we maximize this opportunity that we have today
since baby number two is not here just yet. But
(03:16):
as I said in the intro the Pittsburgh Steelers twenty
twenty three regular season, their preseason schedule did officially come
out over the weekend, And yeah, I am really excited
about this. When you talk about the prime time affairs,
when you talk about the scheduling of West Coast versus
East coast, time of year and things like that, it
(03:38):
was really exciting to see. Man. I do think the
NFL showed a lot of respect and a lot of
belief and optimism in this team right now. But I
can also see the cautiousness of them as well, man,
which also makes it pretty cool. But I didn't want
to get your initial thoughts, Man, when you saw the
schedule come out. How did you feel about it and
were you able to hold off to be surprised or
(04:01):
did you deep dive into it and get the whole
schedule before the release came out.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah, so, I, uh, I couldn't stay away from Twitter.
I'm not gonna because this Steelers. I mean, I'm not
breaking any news here to anybody who is listening to
this show for more than five minutes. So I'll be brief.
But this Steelers schedule from you know, from August to
January controls my life and what I'm able to do
(04:26):
and when I'm gonna be home and when I'm gonna
be on the road and what family events I'm gonna
be able to make it to in which I'm not
in holidays and weddings and WVU football games, which you
all know, again, if you've listened to the show for
more than five minutes, is a big deal to me.
Uh So I was like, I was the opposite of
you I was continuously refreshing my Twitter feed. I'd see
(04:47):
a rumor and I would cross pollinate it with another rumor,
and is this adding up? And what if this person
saying that? But oh, it's looking real good. I was
on pins and needles. I certainly was, and I've got
to say, Arthur Motes, it was very satisfied with with
how this schedule turned out. I don't know if you
want me to go into the specifics now, because, Okay,
my biggest wish was that the Steelers were home week two,
(05:10):
because that is the week that I'll travel to Morgantown
for the first time since twenty eleven in the Backyard Brawl.
If the Steelers were on the road and I was
having to get on a plane on Saturday, I would
obviously not be able to go to that game.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
All sides pointed to the Steelers being at home week
one because they hadn't been for a decade, and so
in my mind, I'm like, well, they're going to be
on the road week two then, and maybe if it's
Cleveland or Baltimore, I can get away with it and
just drive myself. But I'm probably gonna be getting on
a plane to go somewhere like Indie or Sincy or
you know, la or whatever. Well, week one and week
(05:48):
two at home, so check home, say, which means my
voice gets all day Sunday to recurn have to do
those halftime in post, which.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Is all I'm saying is, Dude, When I saw that
game was Monday night, I definitely thought this saved. I'm like, bro,
I low key, Michael, pull up now, I can pull
up now.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Bro, Yeah, try trying to come backyard.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Bro.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I'm like dead serious. I'm like, Yo, that's the weekend.
That's that's the play. I was like, yeah, yeah, because
I don't want to do this Saturday and then turn
around to work on Sunday. That's I'm with you. I'm like, man,
that sucks. That sucks major man.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
But listen, I would have done it, but of course,
but it sucks.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
It sucks you having that day in between that. But Monday,
oh man, that's you know.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
You're the Pittsburgh Steelers. You know you're gonna play on
Monday night football at least once. For it to happen then,
is I mean it's schedule maker Wesley there, Yes, Like
I made that decision myself. That was the first thing.
The second thing was two of my best friends, Jake
and Jess, who are occasional and yes, occasional listeners of
the show. So if they're listening right now, here you go.
(06:57):
Here's your one shining moment baby, Okay. Jake and Jess
two good friends of mine, of my my wife and ours. Right.
I grew up with Jake, he's been with Jess for
a long time. Her and my wife Morgan get along
very well, very swimmingly, if you will.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
That's that's really good to know that they get along,
because if they didn't get along, that can make it
really uncomfortable. Exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
I do like that Jess is getting Jake and Jess
are getting married in Cleveland on Saturday, November eighteenth. So listen,
nothing sorry, Jake and Jess. Nothing's more important to me
than wu football. I mean, maybe other than my wife
and my daughters, you know, the real things.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
That that I thought you said football was like like
in the conversation too, it was.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
More important to me than being at the backyard brawl.
But number two was being at Jake and Jess's wedding
in Cleveland on Saturday, November eighteenth. And I thought the
law the odds on that were long, right, like the
Steelers would. I mean, maybe if they're hosting a home game,
I can drive home, all right, Maybe I luck out
and it's a bye week. Maybe it's a week where
they play on Thursday or you know, Monday. I was like, yeah,
(07:56):
I'm probably not going to be able to go to
your wedding. Well guess what that Sunday the Steelers play
in Cleveland. So I'm just gonna wake wake up from
my Cleveland hotel room and go right to First Energy
Stadium or my game day responsibilities. So that worked out
perfectly as well too. Those are the two big things
that I loved that I wanted. I also love the
fact that there's not you know, we don't play on Christmas,
(08:18):
we don't play on Christmas Eve, we don't play on Thanksgiving.
I love that because I'm one of those and we've
talked about this before. I know for a lot of people,
those games are your family gatherings. But I love it
when when the Steelers don't play. I don't want my
teams playing on holidays. I don't want work, I don't
want stress. I just want to enjoy time with my family.
And so Mozi, we can get into some other I
(08:39):
love the way this schedule laid out. I love how
you get San Francisco Week one with their quarterback stuff going.
There's a lot of different things. But that's just a
quick well not quick because I just rambled for like
three or four minutes, but my initial reactions the big
things that I was looking for that went my way. Listen,
we're all selfish, all right, and I'm sure there's a
lot of people out there who are upset the Steelers
aren't playing on holidays. I'm sure there's a lot of
(09:00):
people who are upset that certain games didn't work for
you to see. You know, maybe you're one of these
displaced Steeler fans who lives in LA and you can't
make it, or on the West Coast and you can't
make it to that game in October. It was the
one time the Steelers couldn't travel to play the Rams
and it didn't work out for you. I do feel
bad for those people, I do, But selfishly, this was
a darn near perfect schedule release for your boy, so
(09:22):
I was I was very pleased.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I love it. I love it. Yeah, I'm still so
like into like football mode when I see the schedule
when you said, I had to check it with my
calendar to make sure that, Okay, I could be here
and be here at That's how I could do this
and do that at that time. I'm so accustomed to
football dominating my life that when the schedule releases, nothing
(09:45):
even matters. It's like, I know where I'm at on
the tenth of September. I know I'm met on the
eighteenth of September. Nothing goes really madden, everything is bumed
off the calendar.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Correct im I'm doing for Christmas? I don't know. I
might be playing Santa Claus.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
It's literally one of the other you know. So it
was like, okay, cool, all right, I know New Year's
Eve where I'll be at. At least I don't have
to be there now. I don't have to be present
in Seattle, but I know where I'll be like tuned
in too, you know what I mean. So yeah, that's
I always looked at it. But as a whole man,
I do like how the schedule laid out, though, Man,
(10:25):
first time being at home since I came here, man
since twenty fourteen, which was literally my first time ever
putting on a Steelers Jersey in the regular season. Man,
crazy game, amazing game, fun game, and we won, so
let's keep the good vibes rolling. But I always felt like, man,
when you talk about a Sunday one o'clock for week one,
I feel personal like that is the true start of
(10:46):
the season, like the Thursday night game where you gonna
get Chiefs and Lions, or you always get the definitive
world champion. Open it up. To me, that always came
off as more of a showcase or a highlight of
the former Super Bowl champion.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
It was like that it's just it's just an homage
to the previous.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Show, right, But I feel like Week one, that's that Sunday,
all those one o'clock kickoffs, it almost felt like when
you would, you know, the start of college football when
it's that first you know everybody's took off at knowing
you're like.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Y'all go right from game to the game.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
They don't want to sit around.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
You want to get that ball in the air. Yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
So it's like I love that, man. I think that
that is just beautiful. I just think of how picturesque
is going to look with the rivers in the background
like it always is when they first show that that
skyline as just pulling up on acting sure, Oh my gosh, man,
like that always gets me. I just love the fact
that we're gonna be at home, you know, like that
is dope. But I also feel like the NFL man,
(11:50):
they they showed a lot of optimism in this team.
And we talk about the amount of prime time games
we're scheduling, and what I mean by that is not
just prime time being eight o'clock slide. I'm talking the
four o'clock slots as well, because those are nationally televised games.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
If you really quick, do we have do we even
have a four o'clock game? Last year? I don't think
we did.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Did we We had eight o'clocks and that was it.
But that was why, you know, in terms of the schedule,
we were scheduled on paper for four and then we
ended up getting flexed into six total, whereas right here
we're scheduled for seven in terms of nationally or prime
time like eight o'clock time, right, but we could still
be TVD for two other potential games, and that doesn't
(12:34):
count for any other flexing opportunities that could transpire. So
you can mess around and be in ten prime time slots. Realistically,
if you're there still his team's a good point. And
that is what I mean when it speaks to the
optimism and the belief that the NFL has shown in
what we have done based on how we finished last season.
We talked about how we got flexed out of a
(12:54):
prime time game last year, and then we also got
flexed back into a prime time game. Finished strong, baby,
and that was because of how we started to finish
the season, because of how we're stringing together wins and
becoming more of a hot commodity. And the NFL wants
to say if we're gonna be able to replicate that,
and I think that they're going to try to find
that out within that first month of the season, which
(13:15):
is why you see us Week two Monday Night Football,
Week three Sunday Night Football. They want to know what
we are and that's going to determine, you know, how
often we're able to remain in prome time versus getting
flexed out of it. But to me, that was one
of the things and I have to give it a
little back, you know, little context on why I always
(13:36):
look at prime So I tell you when the schedule
comes out I look at. The first thing is all right,
the schedule's out. That's all that matters, right, I don't
care about whatever else I had that weekend, it's all
canceled out because of this day. The second thing I
checked for is how many prime time games? And the
reason is I was around. You know, obviously they just
changed the rule to where it's not mandatory for prime
(13:56):
time games to be scheduled anymore. Well, when I first
came into the league, that also wasn't a rule, but
that became a rule, and we called it the Buffalo Bills,
the Cleveland Browns, and the Mammi Dolphins rule because we
were the three teams that would never play in prime
time and they made it mandatory that you would have
to get a prime time game, and that was the
whole Thursday night football thing, and they would always put
(14:17):
us a combination of us on those games. So now
the NFL has changed the word. They could flect, you
do all this other type of stuff, but it's not
mandatory to have prime time games. So when I was
in Buffalo, minute we would never have prime time games
until that became the rule, and it would just have
one per year. So I was always like an excited
kid in a candy store whenever the schedule released in
(14:39):
Pittsford and we would see five, six, seven prime time
and natally tough five games because everybody gets a chance
to see you, man, everybody. It's not how it has
to be a sellout or we have to be in
the region. No, it doesn't matter where you're located. If
you want to watch football, you turned this on, you
could see me. And that was always something that was
so and it really helps you when you're talking about
(15:03):
building your brand, building your name. You make a play
at a one o'clock Sunday game, it's cool. No one's
gonna know it like that except the diehards. You make
that play in a four o'clock game, you make that
play an eight o'clock game is different. It is leveless
to it. It changes everything, man. So that that was
something that I was really excited about though. Man, looking
(15:24):
at the schedule. Man, I definitely like that the NFL
views us in that capacity.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yeah, you know, it's an interesting point by you because
I think particularly when you look at the end of
the schedule, like when you get to December. Okay, Yeah,
that first Sunday in December, you're hosting Arizona at one o'clock.
A lot of people expecting the Cardinals to be bad.
They are one of those what four teams that didn't
even get a single primetime game this season?
Speaker 2 (15:47):
But after yeah, and largely because of the whole college situation,
when does he come back?
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Right after that? Mozi? I mean the NFL is anticipating
the Steelers being in some five star matchups down the stretch,
because you host New England at home on a Thursday,
then you go to Indie and that's still TBD, so
that could be one of those you know, the Colts,
they might have an up and down season, yeah, right,
(16:13):
but maybe by this point they're starting to play a
little bit better and the Steelers are in a division
hunt or something like that, and that ends up being
a four o'clock or a primetime game. Then you come
back home the next week December twenty third, Cincinnati four
to thirty National TV game. Then you go on the
road to Seattle four o'clock time slot again, and then
TBD the final week against Baltimore, which if that's one
(16:34):
of those Steelers Ravens two dogs, one bone type matchups
like it has been so many times in the past.
Guess what, that's not gonna kick off at one o'clock.
It's gonna be at four thirty, or it's gonna be
the primetime game in the evening. So in those six
games to end the season from December into January, legitimately
the first one Arizona at one o'clock could be your
only one o'clock kickoff. That that's the type of you know,
(16:57):
opportunity you have to play yourself into if you are
in a position playoffs, division conversation, all that stuff down
the stretch. So it is all you know, I think
there's some people look at it and said, you know,
the Steelers only got four primetime games, and that's you know, hey,
that's a lot to some teams, but normally not to
the Steelers like you kind of laid out for last year.
I mean, we could be looking at this by the
(17:18):
end of the season and saying they played six primetime
games and they played four, you know, four thirty national games.
Because there's that's the key with this schedule too. Now,
I mean there's a lot of flexibility as it relates
to me.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Time now and think about it, and think about it
now they've changed it where they can flect you regardless
of network. That's also a game change, asportaino the Monday
night Football, Sunday Night football. You know, games that are
exclusively for ESPN or NBC or Fox or CBS. That
(17:54):
no longer is the case anymore. So you know, when
you talk about the potential to play in a ton
of prime time games, they're making it available to you.
They're tired of bad football being played in prime time.
Some people are calling this the Russell Wilson rule, but
I digressed. I digress. He's not the only Okay, he
(18:16):
ain't feeling. But ultimately that's what they're trying to accomplish
here in bullet proof it by changing it to wards
no longer dictated by networks, because that was how it
was in the past, and that was why certain games,
even though you would think it was a better matchup
and should get flexed, it couldn't because of the rights
that the you know, that the TV had for that
(18:37):
particular conference, of that particular slate of game that week.
So yeah, man, so that's gonna make it really really intriguing.
I did have a grievance, though, Can I have a grievance.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
Absolutely all right.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I would like the record to reflect that I, Arthur Motes,
do not like multiple Thursday night football.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Yeah, I do not like sh both at home.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
I like that, Like, if we're gonna do it, do
it at home off of a Sunday one o'clock because
you don't have to travel. You're done early on the
week before. Sure, sure, you know, because if you're playing
at four o'clock on that Sunday before Lord, play at
eight o'clock on that Sunday before good Luck. And then
if you have to travel, you know you're leaving on Wednesday.
(19:19):
So at least in our capacity, where Sunday o'clock both times,
so you're gonna be done by four. You get your treatment,
your rest Monday treatment, rest, Tuesday treatment Wednesday. You don't
got to travel, so you can get another treatment day
in sure.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Sure no, that makes sense, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
So I'm was like, at least the game is that,
But I absolutely hate the two Thursday night games. Man.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
It's funny because from a player perspective, you're absolutely right.
It's funny how you and I are like the juxtaposition
on this. From the player perspective, You're absolutely right, you
want them at home. I'm kind of speaking for the
fans of like if and you know, I mean again,
I'm a WU season ticket holder. I know how like
when when we have a Thursday night home game, it
makes me mad, you know what I mean, because I'm like, oh,
that means we only get five Saturday home games. You know,
(20:05):
you get you get eight home games this year because
it's it's the you know, you had nine last year.
This year it's the other side of that and ones
on a Monday. So if you're a Steelers season ticket holder,
you're like, man, I only get fives. Like I live
for those Saturdays as a WU fan with the you know,
noon kickoff or three thirty kickoff, when it's just your
whole day and it's sunny and you can tailgate and
(20:26):
you don't have work and all these things, right, but
this is.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Your reason to call off of work.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Hey now, hey, now, hey, Now. I do understand for
a lot of Steelers fans who have the tickets and
go to the games, and it's such a big part
of your life the weekends and whether it's your going
with your friends, whether you're taking your family, whatever it
may be. To have eight home games, and three of
those now fall on weeknights. I think we'll be Hey,
(20:51):
some people don't care. Some people love the Monday night,
the Thursday night, they don't care. Mike Tomlin, we do
not care, but I know a lot of people do
because they maybe travel an hour to get to the game.
It's a big chilo.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
I got school date.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
You can take my kids do a Thursday game at
eight thirty.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
You can't have can't have football on school nights. What
are you doing? Okay?
Speaker 3 (21:13):
School? Now they're gonna be up at like six in
the morning. What are we talking about?
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Bedtime? Eight thirty? Come on, man, how it's gonna work? Okay?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
It's like Mozi when I when we used to go
to the Thursday night WVU games. When I was a kid,
my mom would always make me go to school the
next day. Oh my gosh, big jerk.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
I can't believe her, big big jerk.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
I've told you the story before of in two thousand
and three, WU played number two Virginia Tech right with
with with Marcus Vick and all those guys. Michael, it
was like Rich Rodriguez's second year as head coach. We
were really kind of starting to build up as a
program national TV ESPN game. We smoked them. I mean
we crushed Virginia Tech beat them by four touchdowns when
(21:55):
they were the second ranked team in the country. I
stormed the field that game. I almost got Pepper. That
was the game. I was like thirteen. I was in
seventh grade. I was like, thirteen years old.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
You're driving grade and you said you almost got Pepper.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
I was listen, I'm not gonna lie when I say.
When I say I rushed the field, I was literally
on the field for ninety seconds because I hopped over.
I hopped over the barrier with my friend Jordan, and
we almost got Pepper spray. And we both looked at
each other and we were like, yeah, let's go back,
let's get out of.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Bro, you're a real one for that. That's I love
that type of fandom. I always wanted to know somebody did,
as like ever storm the field.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
That's the only time and that's the last ever since then,
they don't let WU fans storm. Like there's like big
security for big games because they don't want people storm
in the fields.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
That's kind chat.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
We're it is kind of chaotic. We're driving home at
like one in the morning my mom and I and
I go, Mom, I'm going to school there, like there's
no doubt in my mind. I'm going to school there.
And my mom looks at me and she goes, that's great,
But you're still going to school tomorrow morning and you know,
for the next for the next six years until you
graduate high school.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
He said, you thought she was almost having it, Well,
you're gonna be almost having at at at Mars Middle School.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
It was like two two thirty before I had to
you know, got home and then had to be at
Mars Middle School at like seven am. Yeah, but you
know what a trained me well for this job now
where it's gonna be like five it's gonna be like
five am when we get back from Vegas and I'm
gonna have to go to work. It's gonna be like
three am when we get back from Seattle, and I'm
gonna jobs.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
They make you burn it on both ends at this job.
I'll tell you the truth.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
Yes day due, but it's all good.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Because we understand that you gotta work hard, but you
gotta also know when to take breaks and rest, and
it is time for commercial breaks. So would that being
the case, don't touch that down. It's Art the Moses,
it's Wes Leeler and this is it steals. What's on
Steelers Nation Radio
Sekuler and Motes are on the air. This is the
Steelers Blitz on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Gold A skin are Steelers Nation Radio?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Pot still and non Steals Nation? And how are we
doing today? It is art? The most sits is what's
near the end. This is stealing the blitz right here
on Steels Nation Radio. And ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
Between the two of us, one has a decade long
NFL experience, the other in immaculate head up here. But
the one thing each and every one of you guys
(00:51):
need to understand is we officially have Pittsburgh Steelers twenty
twenty three season schedule, regular and preseason included. Might I
add a couple of tv ds? But I believe about
ninety eight percent of the schedule is fully complete and
(01:13):
we are going to be deep diving into all of that.
So would that be in the case? How is my
partner doing?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Man, fantastic Mozi? Another day? Another dollar one, another day
closer here to being a father of two instead of
a father one.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
The clock is taking Tell you what I was nervous
about today's show.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I was ruled that up real quick we're gonna double
that one child of two real quick. We're gonna we're
gonna double that up real.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Quick, doublet double.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
We are still doing this show on Tuesday as usual,
so that means no child yet. But if we don't
do a show on Thursday, well that.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Means a child.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
That means it means child.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
It's a simple concept, ladies and gentlemen. It's really simple.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
So I'm a little I mean, I know you remember
what this is like. I've got the whole to do,
you know, the whole checklist before baby. Make sure this
is ready, make sure that's built, make sure this has
packed all those different things the car seat this, and
in the in the crib that and everything. So you know,
i'm a little I'm a little spread out here, but
I am always I'm always excited to to slow down
(02:18):
and chop it up with you here for a little bit.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Well, I always love this time, you know, when the
anticipation of the baby coming, because as a defender, it
would always remind me of when you get off the field.
You know, you feel like, man, we done, finally did
our job. Let's take a rest, let's talk caps some
fun on the bench, and then it's a turnover and
they sudden change. You's got to get up. Oh why
did you all get back out there?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Man, So right now we're in the chill part, you're
on the bench. Everything is cool, it's a vibe.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
But one of these days in the upcoming future, you're
gonna get that call and it's gonna be sudden change,
and yeah, man, it all becomes live dad baby, And
I'm excited for you, bro.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Excit, it's gonna get real real quick, real real real
real queen. Yes, but no, man, Like I said, definitely
excited for you. But with that being the case, let's
make sure we maximize this opportunity that we have today
since baby number two is not here just yet. But
(03:16):
as I said in the intro the Pittsburgh Steelers twenty
twenty three regular season, their preseason schedule did officially come
out over the weekend, And yeah, I am really excited
about this. When you talk about the prime time affairs,
when you talk about the scheduling of West Coast versus
East coast, time of year and things like that, it
(03:38):
was really exciting to see. Man. I do think the
NFL showed a lot of respect and a lot of
belief and optimism in this team right now. But I
can also see the cautiousness of them as well, man,
which also makes it pretty cool. But I didn't want
to get your initial thoughts, Man, when you saw the
schedule come out. How did you feel about it and
were you able to hold off to be surprised or
(04:01):
did you deep dive into it and get the whole
schedule before the release came out.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah, so, I, uh, I couldn't stay away from Twitter.
I'm not gonna because this Steelers. I mean, I'm not
breaking any news here to anybody who is listening to
this show for more than five minutes. So I'll be brief.
But this Steelers schedule from you know, from August to
January controls my life and what I'm able to do
(04:26):
and when I'm gonna be home and when I'm gonna
be on the road and what family events I'm gonna
be able to make it to in which I'm not
in holidays and weddings and WVU football games, which you
all know, again, if you've listened to the show for
more than five minutes, is a big deal to me.
Uh So I was like, I was the opposite of
you I was continuously refreshing my Twitter feed. I'd see
(04:47):
a rumor and I would cross pollinate it with another rumor,
and is this adding up? And what if this person
saying that? But oh, it's looking real good. I was
on pins and needles. I certainly was, and I've got
to say, Arthur Motes, it was very satisfied with with
how this schedule turned out. I don't know if you
want me to go into the specifics now, because, Okay,
my biggest wish was that the Steelers were home week two,
(05:10):
because that is the week that I'll travel to Morgantown
for the first time since twenty eleven in the Backyard Brawl.
If the Steelers were on the road and I was
having to get on a plane on Saturday, I would
obviously not be able to go to that game.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (05:26):
All sides pointed to the Steelers being at home week
one because they hadn't been for a decade, and so
in my mind, I'm like, well, they're going to be
on the road week two then, and maybe if it's
Cleveland or Baltimore, I can get away with it and
just drive myself. But I'm probably gonna be getting on
a plane to go somewhere like Indie or Sincy or
you know, la or whatever. Well, week one and week
(05:48):
two at home, so check home, say, which means my
voice gets all day Sunday to recurn have to do
those halftime in post, which.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Is all I'm saying is, Dude, When I saw that
game was Monday night, I definitely thought this saved. I'm like, bro,
I low key, Michael, pull up now, I can pull
up now.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Bro, Yeah, try trying to come backyard.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Bro.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I'm like dead serious. I'm like, Yo, that's the weekend.
That's that's the play. I was like, yeah, yeah, because
I don't want to do this Saturday and then turn
around to work on Sunday. That's I'm with you. I'm like, man,
that sucks. That sucks major man.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
But listen, I would have done it, but of course,
but it sucks.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
It sucks you having that day in between that. But Monday,
oh man, that's you know.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
You're the Pittsburgh Steelers. You know you're gonna play on
Monday night football at least once. For it to happen then,
is I mean it's schedule maker Wesley there, Yes, Like
I made that decision myself. That was the first thing.
The second thing was two of my best friends, Jake
and Jess, who are occasional and yes, occasional listeners of
the show. So if they're listening right now, here you go.
(06:57):
Here's your one shining moment baby, Okay. Jake and Jess
two good friends of mine, of my my wife and ours. Right.
I grew up with Jake, he's been with Jess for
a long time. Her and my wife Morgan get along
very well, very swimmingly, if you will.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
That's that's really good to know that they get along,
because if they didn't get along, that can make it
really uncomfortable. Exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
I do like that Jess is getting Jake and Jess
are getting married in Cleveland on Saturday, November eighteenth. So listen,
nothing sorry, Jake and Jess. Nothing's more important to me
than wu football. I mean, maybe other than my wife
and my daughters, you know, the real things.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
That that I thought you said football was like like
in the conversation too, it was.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
More important to me than being at the backyard brawl.
But number two was being at Jake and Jess's wedding
in Cleveland on Saturday, November eighteenth. And I thought the
law the odds on that were long, right, like the
Steelers would. I mean, maybe if they're hosting a home game,
I can drive home, all right, Maybe I luck out
and it's a bye week. Maybe it's a week where
they play on Thursday or you know, Monday. I was like, yeah,
(07:56):
I'm probably not going to be able to go to
your wedding. Well guess what that Sunday the Steelers play
in Cleveland. So I'm just gonna wake wake up from
my Cleveland hotel room and go right to First Energy
Stadium or my game day responsibilities. So that worked out
perfectly as well too. Those are the two big things
that I loved that I wanted. I also love the
fact that there's not you know, we don't play on Christmas,
(08:18):
we don't play on Christmas Eve, we don't play on Thanksgiving.
I love that because I'm one of those and we've
talked about this before. I know for a lot of people,
those games are your family gatherings. But I love it
when when the Steelers don't play. I don't want my
teams playing on holidays. I don't want work, I don't
want stress. I just want to enjoy time with my family.
And so Mozi, we can get into some other I
(08:39):
love the way this schedule laid out. I love how
you get San Francisco Week one with their quarterback stuff going.
There's a lot of different things. But that's just a
quick well not quick because I just rambled for like
three or four minutes, but my initial reactions the big
things that I was looking for that went my way. Listen,
we're all selfish, all right, and I'm sure there's a
lot of people out there who are upset the Steelers
aren't playing on holidays. I'm sure there's a lot of
(09:00):
people who are upset that certain games didn't work for
you to see. You know, maybe you're one of these
displaced Steeler fans who lives in LA and you can't
make it, or on the West Coast and you can't
make it to that game in October. It was the
one time the Steelers couldn't travel to play the Rams
and it didn't work out for you. I do feel
bad for those people, I do, But selfishly, this was
a darn near perfect schedule release for your boy, so
(09:22):
I was I was very pleased.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
I love it. I love it. Yeah, I'm still so
like into like football mode when I see the schedule
when you said, I had to check it with my
calendar to make sure that, Okay, I could be here
and be here at That's how I could do this
and do that at that time. I'm so accustomed to
football dominating my life that when the schedule releases, nothing
(09:45):
even matters. It's like, I know where I'm at on
the tenth of September. I know I'm met on the
eighteenth of September. Nothing goes really madden, everything is bumed
off the calendar.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Correct im I'm doing for Christmas? I don't know. I
might be playing Santa Claus.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
It's literally one of the other you know. So it
was like, okay, cool, all right, I know New Year's
Eve where I'll be at. At least I don't have
to be there now. I don't have to be present
in Seattle, but I know where I'll be like tuned
in too, you know what I mean. So yeah, that's
I always looked at it. But as a whole man,
I do like how the schedule laid out, though, Man,
(10:25):
first time being at home since I came here, man
since twenty fourteen, which was literally my first time ever
putting on a Steelers Jersey in the regular season. Man,
crazy game, amazing game, fun game, and we won, so
let's keep the good vibes rolling. But I always felt like, man,
when you talk about a Sunday one o'clock for week one,
I feel personal like that is the true start of
(10:46):
the season, like the Thursday night game where you gonna
get Chiefs and Lions, or you always get the definitive
world champion. Open it up. To me, that always came
off as more of a showcase or a highlight of
the former Super Bowl champion.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
It was like that it's just it's just an homage
to the previous.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Show, right, But I feel like Week one, that's that Sunday,
all those one o'clock kickoffs, it almost felt like when
you would, you know, the start of college football when
it's that first you know everybody's took off at knowing
you're like.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Y'all go right from game to the game.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
They don't want to sit around.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
You want to get that ball in the air. Yeah yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
So it's like I love that, man. I think that
that is just beautiful. I just think of how picturesque
is going to look with the rivers in the background
like it always is when they first show that that
skyline as just pulling up on acting sure, Oh my gosh, man,
like that always gets me. I just love the fact
that we're gonna be at home, you know, like that
is dope. But I also feel like the NFL man,
(11:50):
they they showed a lot of optimism in this team.
And we talk about the amount of prime time games
we're scheduling, and what I mean by that is not
just prime time being eight o'clock slide. I'm talking the
four o'clock slots as well, because those are nationally televised games.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
If you really quick, do we have do we even
have a four o'clock game? Last year? I don't think
we did.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Did we We had eight o'clocks and that was it.
But that was why, you know, in terms of the schedule,
we were scheduled on paper for four and then we
ended up getting flexed into six total, whereas right here
we're scheduled for seven in terms of nationally or prime
time like eight o'clock time, right, but we could still
be TVD for two other potential games, and that doesn't
(12:34):
count for any other flexing opportunities that could transpire. So
you can mess around and be in ten prime time slots. Realistically,
if you're there still his team's a good point. And
that is what I mean when it speaks to the
optimism and the belief that the NFL has shown in
what we have done based on how we finished last season.
We talked about how we got flexed out of a
(12:54):
prime time game last year, and then we also got
flexed back into a prime time game. Finished strong, baby,
and that was because of how we started to finish
the season, because of how we're stringing together wins and
becoming more of a hot commodity. And the NFL wants
to say if we're gonna be able to replicate that,
and I think that they're going to try to find
that out within that first month of the season, which
(13:15):
is why you see us Week two Monday Night Football,
Week three Sunday Night Football. They want to know what
we are and that's going to determine, you know, how
often we're able to remain in prome time versus getting
flexed out of it. But to me, that was one
of the things and I have to give it a
little back, you know, little context on why I always
(13:36):
look at prime So I tell you when the schedule
comes out I look at. The first thing is all right,
the schedule's out. That's all that matters, right, I don't
care about whatever else I had that weekend, it's all
canceled out because of this day. The second thing I
checked for is how many prime time games? And the
reason is I was around. You know, obviously they just
changed the rule to where it's not mandatory for prime
(13:56):
time games to be scheduled anymore. Well, when I first
came into the league, that also wasn't a rule, but
that became a rule, and we called it the Buffalo Bills,
the Cleveland Browns, and the Mammi Dolphins rule because we
were the three teams that would never play in prime
time and they made it mandatory that you would have
to get a prime time game, and that was the
whole Thursday night football thing, and they would always put
(14:17):
us a combination of us on those games. So now
the NFL has changed the word. They could flect, you
do all this other type of stuff, but it's not
mandatory to have prime time games. So when I was
in Buffalo, minute we would never have prime time games
until that became the rule, and it would just have
one per year. So I was always like an excited
kid in a candy store whenever the schedule released in
(14:39):
Pittsford and we would see five, six, seven prime time
and natally tough five games because everybody gets a chance
to see you, man, everybody. It's not how it has
to be a sellout or we have to be in
the region. No, it doesn't matter where you're located. If
you want to watch football, you turned this on, you
could see me. And that was always something that was
so and it really helps you when you're talking about
(15:03):
building your brand, building your name. You make a play
at a one o'clock Sunday game, it's cool. No one's
gonna know it like that except the diehards. You make
that play in a four o'clock game, you make that
play an eight o'clock game is different. It is leveless
to it. It changes everything, man. So that that was
something that I was really excited about though. Man, looking
(15:24):
at the schedule. Man, I definitely like that the NFL
views us in that capacity.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yeah, you know, it's an interesting point by you because
I think particularly when you look at the end of
the schedule, like when you get to December. Okay, Yeah,
that first Sunday in December, you're hosting Arizona at one o'clock.
A lot of people expecting the Cardinals to be bad.
They are one of those what four teams that didn't
even get a single primetime game this season?
Speaker 2 (15:47):
But after yeah, and largely because of the whole college situation,
when does he come back?
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Right after that? Mozi? I mean the NFL is anticipating
the Steelers being in some five star matchups down the stretch,
because you host New England at home on a Thursday,
then you go to Indie and that's still TBD, so
that could be one of those you know, the Colts,
they might have an up and down season, yeah, right,
(16:13):
but maybe by this point they're starting to play a
little bit better and the Steelers are in a division
hunt or something like that, and that ends up being
a four o'clock or a primetime game. Then you come
back home the next week December twenty third, Cincinnati four
to thirty National TV game. Then you go on the
road to Seattle four o'clock time slot again, and then
TBD the final week against Baltimore, which if that's one
(16:34):
of those Steelers Ravens two dogs, one bone type matchups
like it has been so many times in the past.
Guess what, that's not gonna kick off at one o'clock.
It's gonna be at four thirty, or it's gonna be
the primetime game in the evening. So in those six
games to end the season from December into January, legitimately
the first one Arizona at one o'clock could be your
only one o'clock kickoff. That that's the type of you know,
(16:57):
opportunity you have to play yourself into if you are
in a position playoffs, division conversation, all that stuff down
the stretch. So it is all you know, I think
there's some people look at it and said, you know,
the Steelers only got four primetime games, and that's you know, hey,
that's a lot to some teams, but normally not to
the Steelers like you kind of laid out for last year.
I mean, we could be looking at this by the
(17:18):
end of the season and saying they played six primetime
games and they played four, you know, four thirty national games.
Because there's that's the key with this schedule too. Now,
I mean there's a lot of flexibility as it relates
to me.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Time now and think about it, and think about it
now they've changed it where they can flect you regardless
of network. That's also a game change, asportaino the Monday
night Football, Sunday Night football. You know, games that are
exclusively for ESPN or NBC or Fox or CBS. That
(17:54):
no longer is the case anymore. So you know, when
you talk about the potential to play in a ton
of prime time games, they're making it available to you.
They're tired of bad football being played in prime time.
Some people are calling this the Russell Wilson rule, but
I digressed. I digress. He's not the only Okay, he
(18:16):
ain't feeling. But ultimately that's what they're trying to accomplish
here in bullet proof it by changing it to wards
no longer dictated by networks, because that was how it
was in the past, and that was why certain games,
even though you would think it was a better matchup
and should get flexed, it couldn't because of the rights
that the you know, that the TV had for that
(18:37):
particular conference, of that particular slate of game that week.
So yeah, man, so that's gonna make it really really intriguing.
I did have a grievance, though, Can I have a grievance.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
Absolutely all right.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I would like the record to reflect that I, Arthur Motes,
do not like multiple Thursday night football.
Speaker 3 (18:54):
Yeah, I do not like sh both at home.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
I like that, Like, if we're gonna do it, do
it at home off of a Sunday one o'clock because
you don't have to travel. You're done early on the
week before. Sure, sure, you know, because if you're playing
at four o'clock on that Sunday before Lord, play at
eight o'clock on that Sunday before good Luck. And then
if you have to travel, you know you're leaving on Wednesday.
(19:19):
So at least in our capacity, where Sunday o'clock both times,
so you're gonna be done by four. You get your treatment,
your rest Monday treatment, rest, Tuesday treatment Wednesday. You don't
got to travel, so you can get another treatment day
in sure.
Speaker 3 (19:34):
Sure no, that makes sense, you know.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
So I'm was like, at least the game is that,
But I absolutely hate the two Thursday night games. Man.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
It's funny because from a player perspective, you're absolutely right.
It's funny how you and I are like the juxtaposition
on this. From the player perspective, You're absolutely right, you
want them at home. I'm kind of speaking for the
fans of like if and you know, I mean again,
I'm a WU season ticket holder. I know how like
when when we have a Thursday night home game, it
makes me mad, you know what I mean, because I'm like, oh,
that means we only get five Saturday home games. You know,
(20:05):
you get you get eight home games this year because
it's it's the you know, you had nine last year.
This year it's the other side of that and ones
on a Monday. So if you're a Steelers season ticket holder,
you're like, man, I only get fives. Like I live
for those Saturdays as a WU fan with the you know,
noon kickoff or three thirty kickoff, when it's just your
whole day and it's sunny and you can tailgate and
(20:26):
you don't have work and all these things, right, but
this is.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Your reason to call off of work.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Hey now, hey, now, hey, Now. I do understand for
a lot of Steelers fans who have the tickets and
go to the games, and it's such a big part
of your life the weekends and whether it's your going
with your friends, whether you're taking your family, whatever it
may be. To have eight home games, and three of
those now fall on weeknights. I think we'll be Hey,
(20:51):
some people don't care. Some people love the Monday night,
the Thursday night, they don't care. Mike Tomlin, we do
not care, but I know a lot of people do
because they maybe travel an hour to get to the game.
It's a big chilo.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
I got school date.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
You can take my kids do a Thursday game at
eight thirty.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
You can't have can't have football on school nights. What
are you doing? Okay?
Speaker 3 (21:13):
School? Now they're gonna be up at like six in
the morning. What are we talking about?
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Bedtime? Eight thirty? Come on, man, how it's gonna work? Okay?
Speaker 3 (21:20):
It's like Mozi when I when we used to go
to the Thursday night WVU games. When I was a kid,
my mom would always make me go to school the
next day. Oh my gosh, big jerk.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
I can't believe her, big big jerk.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
I've told you the story before of in two thousand
and three, WU played number two Virginia Tech right with
with with Marcus Vick and all those guys. Michael, it
was like Rich Rodriguez's second year as head coach. We
were really kind of starting to build up as a
program national TV ESPN game. We smoked them. I mean
we crushed Virginia Tech beat them by four touchdowns when
(21:55):
they were the second ranked team in the country. I
stormed the field that game. I almost got Pepper. That
was the game. I was like thirteen. I was in
seventh grade. I was like, thirteen years old.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
You're driving grade and you said you almost got Pepper.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
I was listen, I'm not gonna lie when I say.
When I say I rushed the field, I was literally
on the field for ninety seconds because I hopped over.
I hopped over the barrier with my friend Jordan, and
we almost got Pepper spray. And we both looked at
each other and we were like, yeah, let's go back,
let's get out of.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Bro, you're a real one for that. That's I love
that type of fandom. I always wanted to know somebody did,
as like ever storm the field.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
That's the only time and that's the last ever since then,
they don't let WU fans storm. Like there's like big
security for big games because they don't want people storm
in the fields.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
That's kind chat.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
We're it is kind of chaotic. We're driving home at
like one in the morning my mom and I and
I go, Mom, I'm going to school there, like there's
no doubt in my mind. I'm going to school there.
And my mom looks at me and she goes, that's great,
But you're still going to school tomorrow morning and you know,
for the next for the next six years until you
graduate high school.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
He said, you thought she was almost having it, Well,
you're gonna be almost having at at at Mars Middle School.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
It was like two two thirty before I had to
you know, got home and then had to be at
Mars Middle School at like seven am. Yeah, but you
know what a trained me well for this job now
where it's gonna be like five it's gonna be like
five am when we get back from Vegas and I'm
gonna have to go to work. It's gonna be like
three am when we get back from Seattle, and I'm
gonna jobs.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
They make you burn it on both ends at this job.
I'll tell you the truth.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
Yes day due, but it's all good.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
Because we understand that you gotta work hard, but you
gotta also know when to take breaks and rest, and
it is time for commercial breaks. So would that being
the case, don't touch that down. It's Art the Moses,
it's Wes Leeler and this is it steals. What's on
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!