PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Ben Roethlisberger accused me of trying to make him cry. I asked him about how strange it was to be around the team without 10-year center Maurkice Pouncey.
“I don’t know if it’s quite set in yet that he’s not here,” Roethlisberger said Tuesday. “It almost just feels like he’s just not out here at practice now.”
Pouncey played 10 seasons for the Steelers, starting 134 games. Six of those seasons, Pouncey named All-Pro. Now there is a new number 53 in black and gold, rookie center Kendrick Green.
“It will set in,” Roethlisberger said. “It is definitely weird seeing a 53 in front of me.”
It’s not the first time Roethlisberger played without Pouncey. Undrafted JC Hassenauer started three games in 2020 with Pouncey out due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Roethlisberger has also played games with utility lineman BJ Finney at center. He re-signed with the Steelers in the off-season. It would appear right now Hassenauer has the edge to start, but we are in voluntary workouts. Mini-camp is still a few weeks away and training camp over a month from now.
“I think the other guys are excited for the challenge,” Roethlisberger said. “Those are huge shoes. That’s would I would tell those guys is don’t try to fill those shoes. Those are unfillable. Be the best version of you.”
While they can’t fill the shoes, the could learn from his example. Pouncey was not only talented, but his grit and leadership made him a locker room favorite.
“It will be a tough thing to be out there and not have him,” Roethlisberger said. “Not just because of his football presence, just his friendship and what he meant to all of us, me especially. It is going to be different.”