Steelers Rookie Joey Porter Jr. Heartbroken By Death Of Clark Haggans

Recently, one of the most underappreciated Pittsburgh Steelers passed away. The Super Bowl champion linebacker, Clark Haggans died on June 19, 2023 at the age of 49. He was a key part of Super Bowl XL winning team and had a big sack on Matt Hasselbeck during the game. He was drafted during the 5th round of the 2000 NFL Draft and played most of his career with the Steelers. 

DREW HALLOWELL / GETTY IMAGES

Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles fumbles the ball while getting hit by linebacker Clark Haggans #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 26, 2007 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Haggans would then move on to the Arizona Cardinals and finished his career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. The passing was first announced by Collin Dunlap.

Since it was so recent, there is still nothing confirmed about how it occurred. The death is still pending further investigation, but was confirmed to be no foul play. A very sad situation for the family and Steelers fans around the world. 

Haggans was believed to have a great relationship with Steelers former linebacker Joey Porter Sr. The two of them ran the Steelers' linebacker room during the team's run at Super Bowl XL. The two were so close that Porter's son Joey Porter Jr. went on to call him "uncle" in a post that he made on Instagram.

Porter Jr. was the Steelers' second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft. There are high expectations of him as he is expected to live up to his father's name. He is expected to make an instant impact on what was a struggling cornerback crew last year.

Porter Jr. Was Somebody That Was On The Steelers' Radar 

Porter Jr. was almost a lock at the time to be a first-round pick. But he would fall to pick 32, which was the first pick of the second round. He is a lengthy defensive back that has All-Pro potential. Fans already were excited to watch him play because of what his father was able to do during his time with the Steelers. Now with the loss of Haggans, it will give even more fuel to the fire for him to become a potential starter this year. 

The Steelers' current Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin made note what the young Porter would have to do to see the field early during an interview. His two big points are if the players are playing with competitiveness and confidence. With Porter losing his "uncle,'' it should light a flame under the rookie.

"Having had to play a young corner before, the things I look for are competitiveness and that he's out there playing with confidence," Austin said. "I always look for what his understanding is of his role. Does he understand why we're putting him in this particular role right now? If he understands that, then you move towards how he's actually playing it. Is he doing it well? Sometimes guys can understand it, but not play it well because they won't play it fast." 

Haggans wasn't the only player that has passed away in recent Steelers history. During Christmas 2022, the team lost legendary running back Franco Harris right before the team was going to honor him for the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception." The team also lost what was at the time their backup quarterback, Dwayne Haskins in April of 2022.

So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? What do you remember from Haggans' career? Let me know in the comments below!

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