PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There is a first-time Steelers offensive captain this season, probably not a surprise as the three others voted have served the role before.
Kenny Pickett named the Steelers lone offensive captain after Opening Day starter Mitch Trubisky and Najee Harris were last season. Pickett was a two-time captain while at Pitt.
"Just the way he approaches each day," said Steelers tackle Dan Moore, adding he knew right away Pickett would be a captain. "He really has a voice. I talked to a lot of guys about, Kenny has that 'it'."
"A leader on and off the field and vocal on the field," said Steelers center Mason Cole. "He doesn't care who you are or the role you play. He's going to let you know if it's good or bad. I think off the field, he's a leader too. He's always getting guys together. A good guy to have around."
"I think Kenny is just a kid who continues to work his tail off," said Cam Heyward, joking he's a captain because he sits next to him in the locker room. "Whether it's off-season, in-season, communication, I think he's grown leaps and bounds from last year. There is a leadership role in that. Whether that's challenging guys on the field, holding guys accountable, working on your communication, having dialogue."
Heyward also named captain for the ninth consecutive season.
"Never take it for granted," Heyward said. "I think every year I am appreciative to be voted by these men to represent them. It's never about me it's about the group."
"Just because you get voted a captain doesn't mean the job stops. You need to not only prove it, but act on it. Be the voice of reason when you need to be, understand what the team needs and challenge yourself as you would challenge others. There is an accountability with it."
Also named captain for a third time is linebacker TJ Watt and the second consecutive season for Miles Killebrew for special teams.
"They are real workmen," Heyward said.
"They come to work and attack every single day. They leave no stone unturned. I watch these guys and they get after it every single day and provide an energy because of it."
"Being the captain is a service job where you represent everyone in this locker room and everybody outside of this locker room that claims to be a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. We got a lot of work to do, but I think we have the right captains in mind to get the job done."
