Pittsburgh Steelers Home Games Are Back, And Excitement Is In The Air For Calvin Austin III

Saturday marks a big day for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as the whole city of Pittsburgh. It marks the first home Steelers game of the 2023 NFL season. Now, of course, it's just a preseason game, but that doesn't stop the yinzers from having something to celebrate. The Steelers will be facing off against the Buffalo Bills as their first home game of the 2023 preseason. 

With training camp over, and the preseason in full swing, it's finally time to welcome football back to Pittsburgh. Excitement is in the air throughout the city. With fans walking around town with Steelers jerseys - starting as early as Wednesday, to the North Shore gearing up for game day, fans running to the nearest T Station to travel to the stadium, this time of the year just feels special. To no surprise, it's not only excitement illuminating from the fans, but also from Steelers' players themselves. With the rich history the Steelers have, it's no shock any player would be excited to play at Acrisure Stadium in front of Yinz. 

Steelers' Calvin Austin "Excited" To Make Home Debut

With Steelers home games back, excitement is just not for the fans, but also the players themselves, including second-year wide receiver, Calvin Austin III. Austin will be playing in his first ever game at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. Austin was originally supposed to make his home debut in 2022 during the preseason home opener, but he would sustain a season-ending injury during training camp. Now, Austin is looking to make up for his lost rookie year, and he can barely hold the excitement back. 

Austin recently spoke to the media and 93.7 the fan.  While talking to the media, he was asked how he feels finally being able to run out of the tunnel at Acrisure Stadium and actually being on the field. Austin responded saying how he'd like to just be able to finally say he's played at home. 

"That's a place I've never played in. Being at home, taking it all in, that'll be the next (box to check)."

Austin then would go on to praise all of Steeler Nation and explained how Acrisure Stadium never disappoints. 

"We have a big [fan] turnout every single day. So I can just imagine how it's gonna be on game day."

As we can see, excitement is not just for the fans, but also the players; and for Austin, it means a little more than just his first home game. As Austin enters his first true season playing in the NFL, expectations are high. Following Week 1 of preseason, people believe Austin could be the next Tyreek Hill. With his blistering speed and elusiveness, Austin's potential is sky high. We saw his potential shine with his production Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he racked up 23 yards rushing along with 73 yards receiving. For Austin, the sky is the limit and Steeler Nation is expecting a huge season from the speedy wide receiver. 

Steelers Offense Has High Expectations For 2023

With the Steelers offense entering the second year under the direction of Kenny Pickett, fans are expecting the offense to take a huge leap. We saw this leap in the first preseason game against the Buccaneers. The offense marched right down the field and scored on a 33-yard touchdown from a pass from Pickett to George Pickens. The drive looked almost poetic. With precise accuracy from Pickett, and good running from Jaylen Warren, the Steelers offense looks comfortable for a change. 

The 2023 season should be exciting to watch. With playmakers returning on both sides of the ball, including Austin III. Excitement is in the air. For Pittsburgh natives, this time of year is the time to come together as a community and support the Black and Gold. For Steelers' fans everywhere, football season is the time to wake up on Sunday and enjoy some nice hard-nose Steelers football. 

What does SteelerNation believe? Are you excited for Steelers home games to be back? Will you be catching a Steelers game this year, or will you be watching at home. Leave your thoughts in the comments down below!

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