Former Steelers Receiver Steals Show; Makes Pittsburgh Absolutely Pay In USFL Champion

Former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Deon Cain caught three touchdowns on Saturday to help the Birmingham Stallions repeat as champions of the United States Football League (USFL) with a 28-12 victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Cain was named the game's MVP with four catches and 70 yards. He added extra yards in the return game to total 172 all-purpose yards. 

Cain had a relatively short stay in Pittsburgh during his time as an NFL receiver so far. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 after posting back-to-back 700-plus yard receiving seasons at Clemson. He started his rookie season in 2018 on the injured reserve list and, after being activated, was waived and sent to the practice squad. 

The following year, he played in 11 games with the Colts in 2019, registering four receptions for 52 yards, but had no touchdowns before being waived. Pittsburgh signed Cain and after a stint on the practice squad, played him in six games, with half of them being starts. He only registered more than one reception once, getting two against the New York Jets in Week 16.

Cain played 10 snaps in two games for the Steelers in 2020 before he was sent to the practice squad. He spent the rest of the season there before his contract was left to expire. He signed a Futures/Reserve contract with the Baltimore Ravens and was placed on injured reserve before being released by the team. He had a brief stint on the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad in 2022 before being released. 

He signed with the Stallions in March of 2023. He had a modest 48 receptions for 150 and two touchdowns in the regular season for the Stallions. He came to play in the playoffs, though, with a clutch third-down grab against the New Orleans Breakers to secure the South division title and then, his stellar performance in the final.   

Other Steelers Connections In The 2023 USFL Championship

Former Steelers' linebacker, Vince Williams thinks the team should take a look at keeping former 2017 first-round pick, Reuben Foster playing for a professional football team that represents Pittsburgh. He tweeted out a clip from the USFL Championship of Foster, who plays for the Maulers, making a stop and sent a message to his former employer about adding to the depth of his former position. Signing Foster could be risky business as he's got a checkered past and an injury history. 

The other major Steelers connection in the USFL Championship in 2023 is on the Maulers' coaching staff. Father-son duo, Ray and Jarren Horton, have both worked for the Steelers in the past. Ray was a part of two Super Bowls in Pittsburgh as a secondary coach. After a playing career where he won a ring with the Dallas Cowboys, he joined the Washington Commanders in 1994 and coached in the NFL in various places until 2019. 

He returned to professional football in January as he took over for Kirby Wilson as the Head Coach of the Maulers in January. His son was already on the staff, having been named Defensive Coordinator in February. 

Jarren was born in Pittsburgh and played college football at Portland State University from 2010-12 before graduating from Central Washington University in 2015. He had a few different college jobs prior to spending time as an assistant with the Cleveland Browns and Steelers in many different capacities. He's been on staff with the University of Connecticut Huskies since 2019 and has served as the Defensive Coordinator for the team since 2021.

Jarren recently told Trib-Live that his defensive scheme is an offshoot of former legendary Steelers Defensive Coordinator, Dick LeBeau, who he recalled fondly watching as a kid growing up around the Steelers facility.

What do you think of the Steelers' connections to the USFL Championship? Do you pay attention to other leagues than the NFL? Comment below! 

#SteelerNation