Steelers' Pressley Harvin III On How Mike Tomlin's Sayings Had A Profound Impact On Him And Led To Improved Game Play

Pittsburgh Steelers punter, Pressley Harvin III has been through a lot in his 24 years. On top of trying to find his way in the NFL, Harvin dealt with a mountain of personal grief during his rookie season when he lost both his father and his grandmother. 

Now Harvin is speaking up about his journey in the NFL on the Athletic Aesthetic podcast. Harvin told the hosts, Tre Tipton and Vinnie Candelore, how the Steelers provided him with a new family when he was losing members of the one he was born into.

Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Making An Impact On Harvin  

He also shared with them how Mike Tomlin's "Tomlinisms" are more than just funny expressions. They helped him re-evaluate both the way he plays football and the way he views success and failure. 

Control What You Can Control

Harvin said when he was struggling as a rookie. He was focused on the big picture, the whole game, all of his plays, the entire season, etc. He said Tomlin always tells players, "Control what you can control."

"I can sit here and look at the iPad on the sideline, look at pictures of what I did wrong, and get in my head, but in the meantime, there's going to be a next rep. The faster I can stop worrying about that rep and just stay focused on the game, and do enough to win instead of trying to worry about being perfect. The next thing you know, each rep will just get better and better."

As a rookie, Harvin said he didn't understand and he doesn't think fans always realize it either. They expect pros to be perfect on every rep from day one. Tomlin's mentoring through this rough patch on how to approach mistakes helped him grow.   

"I made strides because of that last year because I just started thinking differently instead of worrying about hitting a certain type of hang time or about a certain distance. Every rep is not going to be good, you got to analyze it, figure out what you did wrong, and move on to the next one."

Live In The Moment And Don't Be Afraid To Fail 

"I don't go out there expecting to be perfect, but I also don't go out there afraid to fail. I've failed multiple times already, but I don't look at them as failures, I look at them as lessons." 

Harvin said that they might be pros, but they aren't perfect and no one is harder on them than they are on themselves. It is important to learn, to give yourself some grace. Coach Tomlin constantly reinforces that games are not controlled by a single play. 

"My name is gonna get called again and what matters most is what the next rep looks like."

Don't Be Afraid To Be Friends

Harvin said that Tomlin stresses how important team chemistry is so he makes an effort to spend time with his new Steelers family. Whether that is golfing with Christian Kuntz, having dinner with the specialists, or going to the Luke Bryan concert with Kenny Pickett, these relationships matter. Ultimately Harvin wants to help the Steelers get to a Super Bowl and he knows that to do that, he has to build relationships with his teammates. 

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Steelers long snapper, Christian Kuntz

"It starts with being here at this part of the season, just trying to make a foundation with the team. You've got more time on your hands now you might as well build team chemistry, break bread because that's one thing Mike T is big on, he says don't be afraid to be friends."

An Opportunity Is Only An Opportunity And The Next Man Up

Harvin said when he had to step away from the team to help his family after his father's death, he was well aware that opened the door for someone else. 

"Tomlin says an opportunity is only an opportunity, let's make the most of it. When I was away for those two weeks, Corliss Waitman was called, so that's another black punter that had an opportunity through somebody else going through something."

There is no point in having hard feelings, or harboring a grudge against someone who fills in for you. Harvin said they all have the same goal and every opportunity comes on the back of someone else's ending.  

"Tomlin also says 'Next man up,' we don't care by what means you got here. Put your best foot forward. That Kansas City playoff game was the best game of my rookie year. It was the last game of the season and I told myself this is the last opportunity I got to show who I am."

Pressure Is Forever Relevant, You're Either Feeling It Or Applying It

Harvin said the stress players feel while playing football is the same kind of pressure everyone feels at times in life. It's up to you what you decide to do about it and how can use that pressure to your advantage.  

"Pressure is always around us, but I would definitely rather apply it than feel it. When you are applying pressure and you're doing exactly what you love in life, it doesn't even feel like a job."

What do you think about Tomlin's expressions? Do you believe they help motivate the players? Click to comment below. 

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