The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a hard-fought 20-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans, in a crucial Thursday night showdown. A significant storyline leading up to the game was the emergence of rookie quarterback, Will Levis, who was making only his second NFL start. Levis, initially projected as a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, displayed composure under the spotlight as he fell into the second round. Despite the Steelers' win, Levis shared his thoughts on the atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium and the performance of Steelers fans.
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University of Kentucky's QB Will Levis signed his rookie deal while Steelers wait on Joey Porter Jr.
Levis made headlines when he slid into the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft after initial predictions had him going in the first round. Following an impressive college career, he finally got his opportunity on the NFL stage when Titans starting quarterback, Ryan Tannehill suffered an injury. In his debut game against the Atlanta Falcons, Levis showcased his talents, completing 65.5 percent of his passes, throwing for 238 yards, and impressively tossing four touchdowns without any interceptions.
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Steelers fans take over Qualcomm
Before the game, Levis expressed his anticipation in an interview with Titans reporter, Jim Wyatt. He acknowledged the reputation of Steelers fans and the renowned atmosphere of Acrisure Stadium (formerly known as Heinz Field), emphasizing his readiness to face the challenges posed by the crowd.
"Playing or not, I've had this game circled on my schedule because of how great the environment is going to be. I know their fans are going to come out, and it's going to be a nice environment. So, we are ready to handle it. I'm looking forward to taking it all in and then just doing my thing."
The Home of the Steelers
Acrisure Stadium is renowned for its electric atmosphere, often cited as one of the NFL's most intimidating venues. It's a place where the Steelers' fan base, known as the "Steeler Nation," passionately rallies behind their team. Opposing teams often find it challenging to navigate the hostile environment, which serves as a significant advantage for the Steelers.
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What was originally known as Heinz Field and is now Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers Crowd Not Impressive To Levis
Despite the stadium's intimidating reputation and the fervor of the Steelers' fan base, Levis appeared less impressed with the crowd's noise level during the game. While he acknowledged the volume in the stadium, he compared it to other environments he has encountered.
"It was pretty loud. I've been in louder, so it was nothing crazy. I think we did a good job of simulating the environment during practice this week, making it even louder than I feel like it was out there. We were good on the operation and the communication, but hey, those fans showed out and they didn't make it easy for us. But we got the job done for the most part operation-wise."
It's important to note that while Levis may not have been entirely taken aback by the noise level, he did give credit to the Steelers' fans for making their presence felt. However, his comments suggested that he had anticipated an even more raucous atmosphere.
Renegade
In preparation for the game, Titans coach Mike Vrabel played "Renegade" by Styx, a famed Steelers tradition, during practice. The song is an integral part of the Steelers' game-day experience, and its resounding chorus often electrifies the crowd at Acrisure Stadium. Levis acknowledged the impact of the song and expressed his appreciation for the tradition.
"That's a cool tradition that they got here. The song's a banger. It's a good song. It's a good song. We've been playing it all week in practice, and it's been stuck in my head, so it was cool to see the real thing."
The Steelers Triumph
Ultimately, regardless of Levis' expectations and evaluations of the crowd's noise level, the Steelers walked away with a significant victory. In the heat of a must-win game, the fans' support and the team's performance took center stage.
The Steelers' ability to secure a win in such a high-stakes game remained the defining narrative. The Steelers will now turn their attention to their upcoming match against the Green Bay Packers. Perhaps Jordan Love, the Packers' quarterback, will find the crowd noise more impressive this time around. Steelers fans, driven by the desire to create an even louder environment than Levis experienced, will be highly motivated to make their presence felt.
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