Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman, Brett Keisel has always been loved by the fans in the city. He not only won two Super Bowls with the organization, but put on an awesome charity event known as "Shear The Beard" for 10 years and consistently gave back to the community. He recently joined The Shift, a Pittsburgh Penguins podcast with former player, Colby Armstrong and play-by-play announcer, Josh Getzoff. He discussed an awesome story about late owner, Dan Rooney and how he was motivated by him to become more of a leader by a simple conversation in the parking lot.
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 30: Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs onto the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Heinz Field on November 30, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The former defensive lineman was walking out to his car at the Steelers' facility and ran into Mr. Rooney who stopped him after they acknowledged each other.
"I think I was fortunate when I was younger. Second or third year maybe, Mr. Dan Rooney. I was walking out to my car after practice and he was there too. I passed him and patted him on the shoulder.""He said, 'Hey, Keisel,' and I'm like, 'What's up, what did I do?'" Keisel joked.
Mr. Rooney would go on to tell the young player that he was impressed with his game and he needed to take his leadership to a different level.
"He's like, 'You're doing really good out there. You're flying around and you bring passion to work. Guys like being around you. I want you to be more of a vocal leader.'"
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 09: Defensive end Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 9, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)
It is not exactly what Keisel had expected to hear from him that day.
"That really caught me off guard, because at the time, we had Alan Faneca in there, we had Jerome Bettis."
Armstrong and Getzoff were surprised too, given the fact that there were Hall of Fame players in the locker room with Keisel at the time and said there was no way he could have expected that from Mr. Rooney.
"Right, especially when you're younger and in the locker room and you know that leadership core is established and they're doing a great job, guys like [Joey Porter]."
Mr. Rooney was very clear that he wasn't asking him to completely change, but wanted him to develop and carve his own leadership style.
"I was kind of caught off guard and he was like, 'Just do it in your own way. You don't have to go in and try and take over. I'm not saying that. Just be a leader in your own way and be encouraging because guys are going to follow you.'"
Detroit, UNITED STATES: Pittsburgh Steelers team owner Dan Rooney holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team won Super Bowl XL, 21-10 against the Seattle Seahawks 05 February 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
The simple conversation changed Keisel's career with the Steelers forever.
"That really meant a lot to me. This feeling of pride came in me that I was doing things right that the owner would have enough trust to tell me that and I think that just got me going. It was the little jump start I needed to start speaking up more in practice and it was more practice."
Mr. Rooney asking that of him was one thing, but the former Super Bowl Champion realized in that moment that he had to walk the walk and talk the talk on the field.
"You gotta show him too. You can't just talk about it. You gotta be about it. It's about being accountable and having belief in yourself and going out there and spilling that to the rest of your team."
What are your thoughts on the awesome parking lot conversation between Keisel and Mr. Rooney years ago? Let us know in the comments below!
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