Steelers' Payton Wilson Detailed Latrobe Experience As "A Great Introduction" Into The NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a training camp experience unlike any other one. Teams don't hit in camp like the Steelers do, and on top of that, they make it a spectacle with a "Friday Night Lights" practice as well. Roughly 15,000 fans showed up for the team's most recent showcase of their Friday night practice, where there were lots of big hits and high-end performances across the board. On top of that, the rookies got an early taste of how the crowds would be during each home game. 

Payton Wilson got to experience the aura of Friday Night Lights for the first time, and it was an absolute blast for him. During the post-practice interview, Wilson spoke about what the whole situation means to him and how he sees it.

"It was definitely cool to be out there in front of 15,000, but we play every Sunday and, before, every Saturday in front of a lot more people, so if you're not able to keep your composure in front of just the people that were out there last night, how are you going to be able to do that on Sunday? I think it's a great introduction, just getting you ready for preseason, then on into the season."

Part of being a football player at many different levels is being able to give everything you have, no matter how many eyeballs are locked in on you and your teammates. With 15,000 people crammed in Latrobe Memorial Stadium, there was quite a bit of pressure to perform well and prove to everyone that you are built for the NFL, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to win games against any opponent. 

Even though the North Carolina State Wolfpack don't have the best stadium in college football, the experience is still nothing to scoff at. Wilson would regularly play in front of nearly 57,000 people, which is almost four times the crowd that the Steelers had on Friday. He is used to the large crowds, so dealing with the number of fans at training camp has been no problem for him in the slightest.

Steelers Have Special Game Day Experience

Now that he's in Pittsburgh, Wilson will have to perform in front of thousands of fans week in and week out during an NFL schedule, including preseason. He can get the full stadium experience, including the positives (like Renegade) and the negatives (including chants to fire people). 

The college football atmosphere is always a unique one, but nothing will compare to a primetime game at Acrisure Stadium in front of a divisional rival or other hated opponent. The road games will also be a whole different animal.

Steeler Nation can be a very rowdy bunch, but there is one very simple way to get on their good side: do well in whatever you need to do. For Wilson, while he will be more of a depth piece in the linebacker core, he will still be expected to make all kinds of plays whenever he is on the field, whether it's for defense or special teams. If he can handle the intense style of Steelers' football, he can handle the fanbase.

Wilson was initially seen as a steal, as he was expected to be drafted much higher than the end of the third round. He dropped in the draft due to concerns around a knee issue he has, but he doesn't think it will be a problem. If he can prove the Steelers right on taking a chance on him, then he will quickly get used to the cheers he gets every time he makes a big play. He should be perfectly fine in terms of handling the fans, and the introduction at Latrobe should help him out. 

What do you think about Payton Wilson's take on his experience of the Steelers' annual Friday Night Lights practice? Will he be the next stud linebacker that the fans adore? Let us know in the comments.

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