PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Oh he's heard all the puns and probably knows more are coming. How many reindeer antlers or bright red noses will be see Saturday? If he's successful how many 'Rudolph with his arm so bright' type headlines will be see?
It reminds Mason Rudolph of being in middle school and he doesn't care because he's getting to do what he loves again.
"I mean, it's, by no means is it all about me," Rudolph said. "It's we need a win, and we want to get into the playoffs and extend our season. So, that's first and foremost, but absolutely there's been joy and gratitude and thankful to be back in the fold. And just to go practice with the guys I love in the locker room and have fun."
So much of Rudolph's NFL career hasn't been fun. He comes out college after record-setting numbers at Oklahoma State. The Steelers take a chance on him and given what we know now, imagine how cold that first meeting with Ben Roethlisberger was. Welcome to the League.
The rest, from getting a shot to start during Roethlisberger's injury and struggling, to Myles Garrett, to sitting for years never given another shot. It finally is his time again. He's gone into every Sunday over the last couple of years knowing you need a calculator to figure out the odds of him playing that day. Yet he kept working, every day. He took reps as the third string quarterback with the detail of a starter preparing for an opponent.
"I don't think you can ever replicate game reps," Rudolph said. "I understand that but I think the way I try to prepare myself each week, practice reps and stuff
afterwards, stuff before, taking care of my body. I try to give myself the best cut down on the learning curve, sort of getting back into the flow. I know how to play football and I think I'll be fine."
Rudolph believes the years of those practice reps, the film study and just overall learning means you will see a better quarterback than previously. He says he tries to learn everything he can about the game.
"I think when I go out there, I'm a little bit more relaxed and calm, and understand the game," Rudolph said. "It's cliché, but I think it has slowed down and you gain confidence."
Rudolph says he doesn't feel pressure, rather a sense of urgency for the team to get a win. On a smaller scale for him to generate more offense and find a way to score points. Also, to find a way to get the ball to his playmakers and while he will take a shot or two downfield, many of those opportunities might be quick passes.
He admits he's smiled a few more times this week knowing he's the guy. He said he has gratitude for Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan keeping him around.
His teammates have almost unanimously praised Rudolph. The way he's handled himself. They've said he never complains, just comes to work ready to do a job. They respect that and in turn he's built some strong friendships.
"I think anytime you're here as long as I've been here, you better have some or you're probably not a good dude," Rudolph said. "But yeah, guys are excited for me and I'm excited to go out there. I think as a third string quarterback, you feel like you're sort of, are you really earning your paycheck week-to-week, you know. And so, I get to finally earn it this week and you know, put my hand in the pile and go fight for a victory together."
He's been through a lot, maybe similar to Santa's lead reindeer. Few gave him a chance, but when it seemed the bleakest, Rudolph saved the day.
"God uses adversity in everyone's life to hardness us," the Steelers quarterback said. "And I think we've all had adversity. But I think I've had a fair share and I think it's made me better. It's made me a better person and I think about some of the things that happened in '19, and it was quite a lot, but I'm grateful for that."
"I think it has made me a better man and a better leader and it makes you more battle tested."
Then all the Yinzers loved him. As they Renegade with glee. Rudolph the starting quarterback. You'll go down in…
Well maybe not history, but at least go down with an earned special moment.
