PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – His first draft pick was receiver Plaxico Burress, made during the Bill Clinton Administration and his last, South Dakota State quarterback Chris Oladokun, Saturday evening. GM Kevin Colbert’s career coming to an end after the NFL Draft.
At first, Colbert was able to discuss his 22 years with his hometown Steelers pretty matter-of-factly. Then as he thought about it, the emotions welled up.
“I’m proud that we added to that room,” Colbert said pausing as he held back tears. “There were four trophies when we got here. You knew the task. You think about Dan Rooney and being able to add to that room means a ton.”
“It doesn’t mean it’s over. The next step we got to get more and we will never lose that. It means a lot.”
Before addressing questions about the drafted players, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin wanted to make sure to acknowledge his 15-plus years with Colbert and what he called ‘the opportunity to work alongside this gentleman’.
“It has been an absolute pleasure, not only in terms of results, but the process itself,” Tomlin said. “It’s been a pleasure to be alongside him. There are a lot of challenges in our business, but the spirit in which you attack them is everything. His mark and impact on us will continue to be felt, played out in the lives of the men that we selected here today. Thank you for 15 quality years.”
“It’s been a special relationship,” Colbert said of working with Tomlin. “You don’t think about these things until you get away from the task at hand. I appreciate what he and his staff have done for this organization. We know what the task is, we trying to accomplish it as best as we can.”
Colbert said he’s enjoyed every moment and offered, again, to help out with the franchise in any way possible. He leaves that in the hands of Steelers President Art Rooney.
The Pittsburgh native said he will step away from helping pick his successor now. Tomlin will be more involved whenever the next part of the process starts. When that is, is up to Rooney.
“We interviewed some great people including two great internal candidates,” Colbert said. “There’s a lot of people who can do this. There are probably some who can do it better.”
Doubtful, especially when figuring the class and humility in which Colbert always held himself. It was never about Colbert getting credit, it was about the team. As the North Catholic and Robert Morris University graduate got up from his final news conference as general manager, he wanted to make sure he completed his task.
“I will go back down to the room and make sure we get the free agents all wrapped up and button things up for tonight,” Colbert said, “(then I’ll) go home and spend time with Janice, my wife, and see where life goes.”