JuJu Smith-Schuster Quick To Slap Steelers Fans In The Face After Joining Patriots

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster, apparently hasn't learned any lessons on graciousness as he has matured in the league. The former fan favorite for the black and gold seems to be taking potshots at his former team every chance he gets, and he's getting a lot of chances. 

Smith-Schuster was drafted in the second round by Pittsburgh in 2017 and despite being named sixth on the depth chart by Head Coach Mike Tomlin, he began to make an immediate impact. During his five years with the Steelers, Smith-Schuster emerged to be one of the most talented receivers in the NFL, especially during his early years when paired with Antonio Brown.

However, Smith-Schuster began to become a bit of a polarizing figure in the Steel City. Many fans passionately adored his youthful energy and free-spirited ways. Others felt that he was immature and not focused on the task at hand - playing football. 

During the 2020 season, Smith-Schuster took a lot of heat for dancing on the opposing team's logos in the middle of their field prior to the start of the game. The Steelers weren't playing their best football at the time and many fans blamed Smith-Schuster. They felt that he was inciting aggression from the opponents, causing them to play harder. 

While it is hard to believe that some silly dances would be enough to set professional football players that should already be fired up on edge, who really knows? What we do know is that that particular group of fans went nuts, some going so far as to DM Smith-Schuster's mother death threats. 

The dancing wasn't his only issue, Smith-Schuster had also been plagued by knee injuries. They were impacting his production and he just wasn't putting up the numbers he did earlier in his career. Reports out of the Steelers camp said that he was having the knee drained nearly every week. It just wouldn't fully heal and he wasn't able to be as explosive as he used to be. That lack of production coupled with the behaviors was a bit much. 

In 2022, Smith-Schuster left the Steelers to join the Kansas City Chiefs. He made no secret of the fact that he wanted to be paid more than the Steelers were willing to offer him. He also wanted to chase a Super Bowl ring and thought he might have a shot catching for Patrick Mahomes. 

JuJu Smith-Schuster Not Displaying His Gracious Side To The City Of Pittsburgh

When Smith-Schuster left Pittsburgh, most fans understood. Practically speaking for the Steelers, it made sense for them to let him walk. There's always a new, younger, faster guy waiting in the wings, especially in Pittsburgh. 

Then the subtle, and some not-so-subtle jabs started. 

Shortly after the start of the 2022 season, Smith-Schuster told a reporter that he has already learned more about offense during his short stint in Kansas City than he did in all five years in Pittsburgh. This had fans outraged. 

He did not stop there. During his last season in Pittsburgh, you know the one he barely played in because he was injured all season, Smith-Schuster returned for the Steelers playoff game against the Chiefs, and the Steelers lost badly. Then once in Kansas City, the table had turned and Smith-Schuster was playing for the opposition. After the Chiefs knocked the Steelers out of contention, he said, "It feels to be good on this side of the ball."  

He got his Super Bowl and his one-year contract was up. He has now signed with the New England Patriots. If there is a team that is more despised by Steelers fans outside of our division than the Patriots, I don't know who it is.  

Now Smith-Schuster has done it again. He has made a comment that has Steelers fans scratching their heads or shaking their fists in frustration. Frankly, there is also a lot of "I told you so" flying around.     

He recently attended a Boston Celtics game and was asked about his impressions of Boston after the game according to a tweet from Alex Barth, a Boston-based journalist. 

"Man, the fan base here is nuts. I can't wait to see what it's like for camp... I've never been a part of a city like this."

While some may say he was just being positive about his new town, it is hard not to see it as otherwise and hard not to get your hackles up. For the most part, fans here had his back and this feels like a smack in the face. 

It will be interesting to see how Smith-Schuster fares in New England. Coach Bill Belichick is cut from different cloth, still very old school and that's saying a lot considering most consider Tomlin to be rather tough. One thing is for sure, every time he opens his mouth with one of these comments, fewer and fewer Steeler fans are rooting for his success. 

What do you think about Smith-Schuster's latest comments? Or all of his comments in general since leaving Pittsburgh? Do you think they are a dig at the Steelers? Tell us what you think, click to comment below.

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