PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Beyond the nine Pro Bowls and accomplishments on the field, there was a relationship Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey had that few knew the depth of.
Ever since the controversy of kneeling for the National Anthem started four years ago, Pouncey has become highly involved with the Pittsburgh Police Department.
It started with a meeting with the police chief, members of his staff along with Pouncey, Cam Heyward and Vince Williams. They discussed issues between the police and the community and the three Steelers shared their life experiences with police-good and bad.
From that meeting, Pouncey developed a passion for helping the police interact with residents, specifically children.
“It’s become more than just a Steeler helping the local community and law enforcement,” Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert told the Fan on Friday. “He’s truly become a friend with me and other members of the Pittsburgh Police. He’s just non-stop, anything that we need for help. He’s there.”
Over the last four years, Pouncey gave away 25 tickets to every Steelers home game. Officers would pick up youth in the community, along with chaperones and they would basically spend the entire day together. Schubert believes those interactions are key for building trust between law enforcement and residents.
Due to COVID-19 this year and limited or no fans, they held a watch party instead.
Schubert recalled a trip with Pouncey to the Third Avenue Boxing Gym where youth train for the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League. The goal is to use sport to keep kids off the streets and getting into trouble. After visiting, Pouncey immediately wrote a check for $10,000 for the gym to use.
“It’s not about the money,” Schubert said. “It’s about his connection and his belief in things that will help the lives of people, especially our youth. It’s been an incredible partnership, more than a partnership. It’s a friendship.”
Pouncey and Schubert will text occasionally and the Chief got a text in December that Pouncey was donating $20,000 for the police to use however they see fit to help with community involvement and the Steelers matched with another $20,000.
“What’s really great about him,” Schubert said. “It’s not about him. He doesn’t want the notoriety. He would probably be mad I’m giving him this much credit. It’s true, he doesn’t want the fanfare. He just wants to help.”
“He grew up in poverty. He has a position now; life has been good to him. Football has been good to him. People have been good to him. He just wants to give back. It’s not about he wants to do it because he’s a Steeler. He wants to do it because he’s just a good person.”
Schubert says Pouncey will continue to help in Pittsburgh and come back often. His twin, Mike, helped Maurkice and Pittsburgh Police with a Special Olympics event and helped officers get the message out about wearing masks by being active on social media discussing it.
“I’m very happy for them,” Schubert said of the Pounceys’ retirement. “I’m very happy the fact that they are committed to the community and helping however they can. What Maurkice always says is ‘blessings’. He’s blessed and he wants to pass on those blessings to others.”