PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth got the call from the Steelers, he thought it was a joke.
“When I saw that Pittsburgh area code,” Freiermuth said Friday. “I thought it was one of my friends from Penn State pranking me.”
Good thing he didn’t hang up because it was Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
“It was one of the best feelings I ever had,” Freiermuth said. “To play for an organization that is as storied as the Steelers. Especially having Franco Harris announce my pick. He’s a legend from Penn State and the Steelers. It was a huge honor.”
Freiermuth did not opt-out and you had to wonder if that was a mistake after a shoulder injury that limited him to four games this season, the final being 7 catches for 113 yards against Nebraska.
“I wanted to play this season because I love Penn State,” Freiermuth said. “I owe that university more than it owes me. Every chance that I could go out there and put a Penn State jersey on I was going to do it.”
“I have no regrets about playing a season and getting hurt. It was the first major injury I ever had, hopefully the last one. I learned a lot from that adversity.”
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Freiermuth said he was cleared for contact three weeks ago. The Massachusettes native is ready to show he’s the same player that was projected a first round pick before the season started.
“I’m a versatile tight end,” Freiermuth said. “I’ll stick my face and block D-ends and go out there and make plays in the pass game. Whatever I’m asked to do, I will do it. I’ve always been a team-first guy. I think that kind of showed at Penn State with the team trusting me. I will always put the team first.”
Freiermuth was a two-time captain with the Nittany Lions breaking Mike Gesicki’s PSU record with 16 touchdown catches. Now he admits it will be weird to try to catch touchdowns from Ben Roethlisberger. Someone he’s watched play his whole life.
“I’m excited where I’m at,” Freiermuth said. “I’m excited the Steelers have me an opportunity. I can promise you and the rest of Steelers Nation. I will make the most of it. You will get a guy who comes in every day and works his tail off.”