PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There is no easy way to deal with a situation like Stephon Tuitt went through. Tuitt losing a brother, his mother losing a son. Tragedy.
While there isn’t an easy way to address it, there is a right way. How the Steelers handled his year-long search to find answers is a lesson in how to help a human being.
From the start of training camp last season, we were all wondering what Tuitt’s future was. The reality was only he ever knew, and really, when did he know he didn’t want to play football again?
As recent as last week his friends and teammates, Cam Heyward and Tyson Alualu, believed he would be back with the team at some point. There is no reason to doubt their sincerity. They had just talked to him on his birthday and believed he would return this year.
Tuitt is giving up roughly nine million dollars this season, but made $55.7 million in career earnings. This was more than just being a football star or even being with his good friends again.
“After the tragic loss of my brother Richard, and upon completing my degree from the University of Notre Dame, I know I am being called to move beyond the sport of football,” Tuitt said in a prepared statement on Wednesday. “I want to thank everyone for the love and support they have shown both on and off the field, and again want to thank The Rooney Family, Coach Tomlin, and the entire Pittsburgh organization.
It was an honor and a privilege to play for this historic team.”
For their part, the Steelers gave him all of the time and space he needed.
About a month after the loss of his brother in July 2021, Tuitt showed up for training camp at Heinz Field. He would go through individual drills, but not team, and it was later confirmed he was also dealing with a knee injury.
The presumption was Tuitt didn’t play because of the injury, but it was never confirmed to anyone outside the organization why he wasn’t on the field.
Just over a third of the way through the season, Tuitt was seen jogging on the practice fields on the South Side before practice a few times. When asked, the organization only explained his absence as ‘no update’.
Never did the team pressure Tuitt. They went through 2022 free agency, not knowing. There were numerous options to help fill his spot, but they gave him time. They moved on to NFL Draft preparation, not knowing. They would draft a defensive lineman in the third round, but nothing that would take away from Tuitt.
They potentially hurt their team, but did right by the human being.
"His success both on and off the field speaks volumes for who he is as a person and a player,” said Steelers GM Omar Khan. “Stephon has always handled himself with class and maturity as he continues to be a great husband, father, son and family man in his personal life.”
“Now that he has informed us he is retiring from football, we are all thrilled to see what he becomes as a person and professional after graduating from Notre Dame this past month. We are excited for what lies ahead in his life and will continue to support him in any way we can."
We (the media) got a peak into Tuitt in our limited interactions with him. He has a quick sense of humor and a contagious laugh. Early in his career in training camp, Tuitt was telling us all, including a few players. If you give him a month of training, he could win at any sport. Even going as far as saying with four weeks of boxing lessons, he’d beat Mike Tyson.
He could handle the immediate back-and-forth with his teammates. He did it with a smile and a laugh.
Here’s hoping in retirement Tuitt finds that smile and laugh again.
"I am thankful to have had the opportunity to represent the city of Pittsburgh for the past eight seasons, and am blessed to leave this game with my health,” Tuitt said.
“Go Steelers.”