Steelers' Mason Rudolph Did Something Courageous At Oklahoma State That Truly Showed His Character

The Pittsburgh Steelers have found surprising success on offense with Mason Rudolph, but his journey began at Oklahoma State, where he demonstrated his character in a significant way during his first season.

Drafted by the Steelers in 2018, Rudolph was seen as a potential successor to the legendary Ben Roethlisberger. Fast forward to 2024, and Rudolph finds himself at the helm of the Steelers' offense, guiding them to a postseason berth with three consecutive victories. It's a lesser-known story from his time as a Cowboy in college that truly highlights Rudolph's character and commitment to the game, however.

Steelers' Rudolph And His Relationship With Roethlisberger

When Rudolph first arrived in Pittsburgh, he was met with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Steeler Nation was hopeful that he could eventually become the franchise quarterback, but questions lingered about his readiness for the NFL. 

Rudolph's relationship with Roethlisberger was a topic of discussion, as he sought to learn from the seasoned veteran. However, as Roethlisberger has admitted, they had an awkward relationship. 

Few could have predicted at the start of the 2023 season that Rudolph would be the driving force behind the Steelers' playoff berth. It appeared unlikely at the time. However, it's exactly what happened.

In the annals of college football, Cowboys' Head Coach Mike Gundy had maintained a remarkable streak of consistently leading his team to bowl eligibility. However, during one fateful season, Gundy found himself facing a dire quarterback situation, with two signal-callers sidelined by injuries. The team's bowl eligibility was on the line, and a difficult decision loomed for Gundy.

Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reported that Gundy approached Rudolph with a proposition that would test both the young quarterback's character and his commitment to the team. He offered Rudolph the opportunity to burn his redshirt and start for the Cowboys, with the promise of playing time for the remainder of the season. 

“If you want to play, we’ll start you,” Gundy remembers saying. “If you don’t want to play, I certainly understand.”

Without hesitation, Rudolph responded with unwavering determination: "I'll play." His resolute decision to forego preserving a year of eligibility in favor of helping his team reflected his deep commitment to the game and his belief in his role as a quarterback.

Gundy made it clear that the decision was entirely up to Rudolph, emphasizing the potential impact on his college career. He wanted to ensure that Rudolph thought through this decision and understood the severity of giving up your redshirt this late in the season.

“Coach, I want to play,” Rudolph responded. “I came here to be the quarterback. I want to play.”

Gundy, initially taken aback by Rudolph's resolve, sought to ensure that the young quarterback fully understood the ramifications of his choice. He asked Rudolph to call his father, Brett Rudolph, to discuss the decision with his family. His father, though uncertain about the decision's long-term implications, respected his son's unwavering desire to play and support his team.

Rudolph's choice to play, despite the potential sacrifice of his redshirt year, epitomized selflessness and dedication to his teammates and coaches. He put the team's needs above his own and helped extend Gundy's streak of bowl-eligible seasons, which has now reached an impressive 18 years.

Fast forward to the NFL, and Rudolph's selfless character continues to shine. In a season where the Steelers faced a plethora of adversity and questions about their offense, Rudolph stepped up when called upon, leading the team to three crucial victories and securing a playoff berth. He played an instrumental role in ensuring that Mike Tomlin's streak of 17 consecutive winning seasons remained intact.

The lessons learned during Rudolph's college days —lessons of selflessness, determination, and commitment—have carried over to his NFL career. As he prepares to lead the Steelers into the playoffs, Rudolph's character and work ethic remain undeniable assets to the team, embodying the true spirit of a leader on and off the field.

Despite not being chosen as the starting quarterback when Kenny Pickett was injured, Rudolph didn't voice any complaints. He maintained a positive attitude and remained committed. On Monday, he has the opportunity to lead the Steelers on a historic postseason run and it starts against the Buffalo Bills. 

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