PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – DeMeco Ryans isn’t from Pittsburgh but what the Houston head coach said about Baldwin native and Texans defensive tackle Kurt Hinish fits right in to what residents here pride themselves in being.
“He embodies what Pittsburgh is all about,” Ryans said Wednesday, “blue collar, tough, hard-working guy.”
Hinish starred at Central Catholic HS then had the opportunity to play at Notre Dame, but when his time was up, none of the NFL teams wanted the 6’1”, 296-pound defensive lineman. In 45 career games with the Fighting Irish-20 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 83 total tackles and a forced fumble.
“Coming here as an undrafted guy, I was obviously upset that I wasn’t drafted,” Hinish told Pittsburgh reporters on Wednesday. “I didn’t let that stop me from doing from what I knew I could do, which was get on the field and contribute to the 53. I just needed an opportunity to get my foot in the door.”
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the struggling Texans, Hinish would play in 15 games as a rookie, starting three. Then came a coaching change and he had to show himself all over again. Hinish just did what Ryans said Pittsburghers do, he went to work.
“That’s what showed from OTAs through training camp,” Ryans said. “He could be hurt, it doesn’t matter, he’s still pushing through. He’s never complaining, no excuses. Just always grinding, working hard, giving his all.”
“He’s gotten better and he’s helped us really solidify our front. He’s been a very important piece for us.”
The 24-year-old clogs the line making it harder to run. He’s played in 45% of the defensive snaps this year helping a defense that allows 4.3 yards per carry. Hinish said the Steelers have a great 1-2 punch with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. He said they have good speed on the perimeter and run downhill with a good offensive line.
Hinish played against Pickett once back in 2018 and prepared to play him again in 2020, but Pickett was unable to go. He remembered watching him on film while at Pitt, saying ‘this dude is a baller’. He said Pickett throws a nice ball and presents a good challenge for them on Sunday and he’s excited to play against him.
If he wasn’t playing against him, HInish would be rooting for Pickett. The Steeler he won’t get to be on the same field with is the one he really remembers rooting for as a kid, injured Steelers captain Cam Heyward. Hinish said on Sundays his parents would prepare food and he remembered friends coming over to watch the games.
He said it would be a different feeling if this game is being played at Acrisure Stadium where he played with the Vikings and Irish. He knows they’ll be some, if not all of those who used to come to his house now rooting for his team.
“It’s a religion in Pittsburgh to watch Steelers football,” Hinish said. “I’m sure I will have family members rooting against me, but it’s all good. You got some true Yinzers rooting for the Steelers still.”