PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The conversations began following his release from Detroit after domestic battery by strangulation charges against him in Florida in early March. Former Steelers corner Cameron Sutton said the team checked in with him to see how he was doing and he awaited a phone call.
The Steelers third-round pick in 2017 said they were able to make a business decision and now Sutton returns to Pittsburgh.
Sutton started Steelers workouts Wednesday morning, hours after he signed and afterwards talked to reporters saying he cannot discuss details of his case.
We do know the charges are misdemeanors and he has entered a pretrial diversion program which includes a mental health evaluation. There is a probationary period and then upon completion of the program, the state will decide prosecution. Sutton didn’t say why he evaded police for weeks and eventually turned himself in. He doesn’t know if he will be suspended by the NFL, he said he’s ‘moving on with his business’.
“Adversity strikes everyone in life, so it’s all about how you handle it,” Sutton told reporters. “How you go through those phases and knowing who you are individually. Not letting someone else dim your light.”
“I always talk about being a free spirit, not just for yourself, but so many around you. Never losing a sense of who I am. The continuity of just enjoying, there is so much grateful for, so much opportunity. Just keep living my life out.”
Sutton said he began his career with what he called a great foundation in the Steelers organization. He said the greetings and understanding of his situation by the organization and players have been sincere. The 29-year-old just wants to be around the guys.
He has the same locker he had during his six years with the Steelers and said many of the faces are still the same. He’s ready to help the team any way he can.
“Being able to touch the grass again was a heartfelt moment,” Sutton said. “It’s been a minute. It’s kind of hard to keep speaking on it, but I really enjoy this game, being around my teammates, being out here in this space. It’s not something I take for granted.”
He said he’s been doing what he’s needed to do to be ready for OTAs and eventually training camp. Sutton feels prepared for football, physically and mentally.
He’s obviously aware there is more to his story that just a player returning. He was asked about potential negative reaction from the same fans who have cheered his athletic accomplishments.
“It’s an opinion-based world,” Sutton said. “Everybody kind of moves on the movement of not knowing, but feeling the presence to speak. My job is not to appeal to someone else. My job is to be the best version of myself. How do I give that off to the mass or how do I give that off to everyone around me? I’m in full control of that.”
“I’m never worried about a narrative. I’m never worried about what people say because more than likely they don’t know me more than anybody else. It gets back to your foundation, your morals. Who you are individually as a human being and just what you stand on. (It’s about) holding your head high, everybody goes through adversity, things in your life that can change it in both directions. It’s all about what you do from that.”
“I’m ready to keep moving in the right direction, everything else will keep falling in line and we’ll keep moving from there and enjoying.”