PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – One of the best pass rushers in team history was on the Steelers sidelines for OTAs on Thursday. Often it happens where former players come to watch and often offer a pointer or two. This one was just there as a dad.
A reputation of being enthusiastic, if not boisterous at times as a high school parent, Joey Porter just hung out and watched his son of the same name go through voluntary workouts.
"He stayed in his lane and let me do me," said Joey Porter, Junior. "He doesn't want to overhype anything. That's the perfect thing about it, he understands me & knows I need my space. He was just a visitor today."
It was cool for the younger Porter to have him there. He's used to his face at his games. It actually started with his father coaching him in Little League football and even during his time at Penn State he would make appearances at practice, with no issues. As Porter, Junior explained 'he's just my dad'.
But it's obviously different now, his son is about to become a second-generation NFL player. The 32nd overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, Porter has the opportunity to do something his father didn't, start as a rookie. But there is a lot for the corner out of Penn State to learn.
"Everybody is good," Porter said of an early lesson during his first three weeks of voluntary workouts. "This is not the high school level or the college level where there are guys here or there. Everybody is talented, if they weren't they wouldn't be in this building."
"Really can't take any reps off.
Every rep is the last rep, you have to take it serious. That's what I've learned."
Everyone is offering advice. Not just his father, not just the defensive players, but even those on offense. Chief among them is 12-year NFL veteran Patrick Peterson, who early in camp enthusiastically endorsed Porter and said he's working hard to bring him up to speed.
"He's giving me tips on how to watch film," Porter said of Peterson. "How to take care of my body before and after practice. What he should look for in my read steps, my press coverage, my off coverage, just little details about the game and what I see with route recognition. Really just the whole game he's given me. It's a lot, but it's a good problem to have."
Porter said it's been great learning from a man he, and many others, believe will go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The North Allegheny High School graduate is even taking a major leap.
Walking into a world rife with its own frustration and peril. He's getting into golf, because he knows Peterson loves the game.
"I told him I would get my golf clubs and go golfing with him," Porter said. "I know he's a big golf guy, so I'm going to try to be a big golf guy myself. Just to do anything to really learn from him, I'm willing to do."
Good luck Joey, make sure Peterson gives you strokes or the lessons you learn could be more financial than football.
