PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Chase Claypool became the first Steelers player to score four touchdowns in a game since 1968, the season before Chuck Noll was hired as head coach.
The rookie receiver out of Notre Dame equaled the franchise record set by Ray Mathews in 1954 and matched by Roy Jefferson 52 years ago.
"It is definitely insane," Claypool said following the Steelers 38-29 win over the Eagles. "It's crazy, but I don't really like to think about breaking records or making history. It's super-cool, but it's not something that I go into a game thinking 'I'm going to make history today'."
Claypool also became the first NFL rookie receiver to score four touchdowns in a game since Buffalo's Jerry Butler in 1979. That they came in a win that improved the Steelers record to 4-0 (for the first time since '79) was most important to Claypool.
"It's a cool thing being 4-0," said Claypool. "(But) if it wasn't me it's someone else making those plays. That's how deep we are at receiver. I really just think about trying to do little things to help my team win, mistake-free football, When I get home, I'll call my family. I'm sure they'll tell me all the things that happened this game day."
Claypool was an equal-opportunity touchdown scorer. His first came on a 2-yard run in the first quarter. His second was a 32 yard pass play from Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter. Touchdown number three came in the third quarter, a five-yard reception, out of a bunch formation. And the final score, in the fourth quarter, was a 35-yard pass play that sealed the win.
Roethlisberger said he texted Claypool on Friday, telling him he was going to have a big game.
“He’s talented. He’s got some God given abilities that not many people in this world have," Roethlisberger said. "He’s big, fast and strong and he’s very, very smart. So we are able to do those things and move him around.”
The game-clinching touchdown really impressed the quarterback.
“On the last touchdown, I changed the play and he makes it happen. I just have to give him a little bit of a cue on it and it’s awesome. I’m really proud of the way he is playing right now.”
Coach Mike Tomlin might feel the same way, but he wasn't going to say so publicly in the moments following the game.
“He was just going to be the guy today," said Tomlin. He had a good matchup and he made some plays and they (Claypool & Ben) found that rhythm. I don’t want to make it out to be more than it is. It was his turn today based on a lot of things and he was able to deliver.”
Claypool finished with 7 catches for 110 yards. In four games, he has 13 receptions for 261 yards.