PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – You may have had preconceived notions about guard Steelers guard Mason McCormick. The 6’5” rookie from South Dakota State by way of Roosevelt High School in South Dakota. Among the thoughts of what he was like, where was ‘trash talker’ on that list.
Because he is one. He was outed by Steelers tackle Broderick Jones as he discussed their relationship.
“It’s honestly funny just thinking about it,” Jones said. “I think he gets it from Coach T. because Coach T. is just hardnosed football. When Coach T. talks in a team meeting, I think he takes that and runs with it. As long as he’s getting the job done, have at it.”
“I just go out there and have fun,” McCormick said, adding ‘Broderick said that?’. “I bring energy, have fun, however I can.”
There are times McCormick, from an FCS school, and Jones from the two-time FBS national champion Georgia Bulldogs talk smack to each other. Jones notes that he plays next to McCormick and then a pair of quiet players in Zach Frazier and Isaac Seumalo.
“I feel like he can back it up, he talks with a purpose,” Jones said. “As long as you can back it up with what you say, have fun with it. Have at it, just not stupid penalties, even though I get them from time to time.”
“You want to bring energy,” McCormick said. “Sometimes some things aren’t going your way, you have to have a little spark or something. I pride myself in being consistent high energy and effort.”
Jones went to call McCormick ‘crazy’ in a playful way. He said he plays with a different style than he expected. They come from vastly different parts of the United States. Jones grew up 18 miles outside of Atlanta, while McCormick was 1,163 miles away in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“He came in more prepared than I did,” Jones admitted. “He’s just always finishing, always running downfield, doing the extra. The little things that make someone stand out playing o-line, he does it.”
“I’ve been around Broderick quite a bit,” McCormick said. “We are always talking, whether on the field or off the field. We work off each other and we’ve learned so much and we are growing together. Our relationship is awesome.”
“I like the way he plays,” Jones said.
“Me and him, I feel like we are a good complement to each other. We both have a great relationship. We are going to talk our smack at the end of the day, but I feel like we are going to get the job done.”
Jones then paused, chuckled and added.
“Mason is crazy.”
But only in the best way.