First public training camp since 2019 brings out first-time attendees
Share this post:
The first public Steelers training camp since 2019 brought a lot of first-time attendees to Saint Vincent College for Wednesday’s open practice.
“I’m a ride-or-die Steelers fan,” said Mike Johnson, who drove from New Jersey to attend his first training camp.
Gary Andress made the drive from Indian Mills, N.J., but he and his wife were attending their sixth Steelers training camp.
“I love to see how the team changes and to see the new players,” Andress said.
An hour before the first public practice, the parking lot outside the main entrance was filling up, and the line to get in wasn’t long, but it was steady, as fans high-fived mascot Steely McBeam, spun a prize wheel and lined up to take photographs with Steelers alum Shaun Suisham.
The fans have arrived at Saint Vincent College for Steelers training camp.
Photos: @okzacgibson | @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/UsSqmbpUiK
— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) July 27, 2022
Terry Cook of Beaver Falls was at camp with a couple of friends to watch his nephew, Michigan defensive lineman and Western Pennsylvania native Donovan Jeter.
“He’s trying out, and, hopefully, he gets a shot,” Cook said.
When it came to new Steelers, though, the topic du jour was easily Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. While a good number of fans expressed a desire to see offseason acquisition Mitch Trubisky take some snaps, they also were itching for Pickett to get under center.
“I’d like to see Trubisky have a good year, not get hurt, and then hopefully Pickett can come in next year and take over the team,” Cook said.
MORE STEELERS NEWS
• A fan’s guide to Steelers training camp
• Businesses eye boost as Steelers head back to Saint Vincent
• Steelers suit up for first workout after 2-year absence from Saint Vincent
Douglas Waldron and Elijah Seigh of Greensburg have sky-high confidence in Pickett. Both were attending their first training camp, and Waldron was quick to give his reason.
“Pickett,” he said.
“I mean, it would be kind of a waste if we didn’t use Mitch,” Seigh said. “I think they give him a start, but put him on a short leash.”
Waldron got right to the point.
“I think Pickett will be the greatest quarterback ever when it’s all said and done,” he said. “I think he’ll end up with 10 Super Bowl championships, and he and T.J. Watt will be the face of the franchise for the next 15 years.”
Ken Hughes and April Wheeler of North Braddock were good and ready to have fun, both decked out in black-and-gold wigs.
“It’s just a really fun environment, to watch the players practice and work on their craft,” Hughes said behind sunglasses emblazoned with a Steelers logo in each frame.
Hughes said he favors Trubisky as the potential starter, “at least right now.”
Aiden Abraham and his father, Brian, were in town from Loveland, Colo., for a family reunion, and decided to come to training camp for the first time.
“I want to get a signature from any player that I can,” said Aiden, 16.
His father is pumped for Pickett.
“I think eventually he’ll take the starting job,” Brian said.
Aiden agreed.
“I think in a couple years, he can be a new, dynamic guy for the team,” he said.
However, not everyone was on campus to check out the black-and-gold goings-on.
“I’m actually just looking for the Mister Rogers stuff,” a woman told a training-camp volunteer down the hill from the fan area.
The Steelers’ 1:55 p.m. practices will be open to fans on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There are no public sessions Sunday. For a complete guide to attending training camp, click here.