Retired Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end, Aaron Smith won a pair of Super Bowls with the team in 2005 and then again in 2008. Former offensive lineman, Willie Colon was drafted by the team in 2006, and with the draft being after the big game, he just missed out on that ring. Like Smith, he also played a key role in helping the team win the sixth championship in team history. Long before they were championship teammates and Colon was going up against him as a rookie in practice every day, he asked for mentorship, and it almost turned into an all-out brawl.
USA Today
Steelers tackle Willie Colon is introduced at Heinz Field during a ceremony celebrating the Super Bowl 43 Championship team
Colon joined the PM Team with Poni and Mueller on 93.7 The Fan with hosts Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller. Smith is in the 2023 Steelers Hall of Honor class and Fillipponi asked if he had any special memories of Smith. Colon said going up against him in his first-ever Organized Team Activities was his real welcome to the NFL moment.
"He was a grown man, a Super Bowl champion," Colon said. "He was having his way with me. It was new for me because I was fresh out of college and had never gone up against someone of his caliber."
After a couple of practices, Colon thought maybe he could get some advice from the 30-year-old veteran entering his eighth season in the league. So, he approached Smith and he agreed to help him out on the side after practice. Colon thought it would be a light teaching session and found out quickly that it wasn't.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Aaron Smith is seen here in action against the Cleveland Browns.
Once all the other players had filed inside the team facility, Colon and Smith headed to a secluded area near where the University of Pittsburgh team practices and started to go through some drills. Colon had told Smith he was hoping to work on a little bit of everything and the veteran told him to get in his stance, so they could get to practice pass sets first.
"My chin strap wasn’t done up and I’m thinking I’m just going to have a one-two step and he’s going to tell me about my head and if I’m leaning," Colon said. "This dude fires off the ball and almost knocks my head off. I looked at him and was like ‘what the hell is your problem? Do you wanna fight?’ "
When Smith asked him what was wrong, being the scrappy kid from the Bronx, he responded that he just didn't know they were going that hard. So, he tightened the chin strap and got back to work. Smith kept up the same intensity the whole time as they switched between pass protection and run blocking.
"He was coming off the ball to the point where I forgot what we were doing," he said. "It was just us fighting in the corner at one point."
Colon thought the veteran might have some advice for him at the end after all the work they had just put in, but all he had to say was 'that was some good stuff, good job.' Colon tried to prod a little to see if he could get more out of him. Smith nonchalantly listed problems with his stance, his eyes and his hands. It made him think it was time to go back to the Bronx. Not only had he gotten his butt kicked ,but then the guy told him exactly how.
Steelers' Colon's Battles With Smith 'Made Him A Better Player'
Colon didn't pack up his bags and head home. He started in all 62 regular season games he played in Pittsburgh. He then finished his career as a member of his hometown New York Jets.
Winslow Townson / AP Photo
Former Steelers offensive lineman Willie Colon is seen here as a member of the New York Jets playing against the New England Patriots.
Colon credits Smith for giving him the tools to become a solid starter for the team. To borrow a Tomlininsm, Colon said that Smith 'was 100% iron' every day in practice.
"He made me such a better ball player because he took no days off," he said. "He made me able to compete at that level and start for the team. I owe a lot of my upbringing as a Steeler to him."
Colon might not have gotten the soft helpful veteran assistance he'd thought he was seeking, but it helped him grow into a very effective football player. There are different kinds of mentors, and it turns out Smith was one to almost knock your head off to help his mentees learn.
What did you think about this story from Colon? Would it have surprised you if the two did get into a big brawl? Comment below!
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