Steelers' Patrick Queen Eager To Admit He Was "Born For Renegade" As He Shares His Hostile Acrisure Stadium Experiences

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long and storied history as a franchise in the NFL. Part of the reason they are so well respected, and even hated by other teams, is because they have been so successful. Fans of the Black and Gold are fortunate to have experienced more highs than lows, winning six Super Bowls. 

Pittsburgh has a loyal fan base that shows up in droves for games, not just at home, but on the road. Steelers fans make home-field advantage a real thing. That's why it is no surprise to hear new players Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts talk about how intimidating it is as an opposing player, to walk onto the field in Pittsburgh. 

Queen played for the Baltimore Ravens before signing with the Steelers. Roberts was a member of the New England Patriots team, led by Tom Brady, that the Steelers constantly went up against when Ben Roethlisberger was under center. Queen and Roberts recently discussed playing against Pittsburgh on teammate Cameron Heyward's podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. Heyward then asked what it was like to run through the tunnel onto the field at Acrisure Stadium.

"It's tough," said Queen. "Definitely not a friendly environment. But I think that's what football is supposed to be. It's supposed to be intimidating, it's supposed to be an environment that the opponents don't want to be in. I think, coming in, for me, the type of player I am, if you say 'F you,' then I'm going to say, 'F you,' and we going back and forth. It's just the perfect stadium, all the yellow and the towels and then y'all play Renegade. It's just electric. I was born for Renegade."

Roberts recalled the crazy games between the Steelers and the Patriots for his four seasons there. During his time in New England, the road to the Super Bowl always went through Foxboro, and Roberts won two Super Bowls with them. 

He said his former head coach, Bill Belichick, takes his coaching seriously. While his personality is nothing like that of Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, their passion and commitment to excellence are quite similar. Belichick reminded his team to beware of taking Pittsburgh lightly, and Roberts said they even prepped differently. 

"I ain't even going to lie, preparing that week, in practice, we'll be like, it's going to be a 60-minute game," said Roberts. "You going to be hurt after this game, it is what it is. It's just that type of game. We in full pads that week of practice, hitting, just getting our bodies right. We knew what type of physicality it was going to be in that game and the atmosphere was always crazy. They always call it a hostile environment."

The Steelers and Patriots developed an intense rivalry during those years, despite not being in the same division. Queen and Roberts' recollections of how hard it was to come into Acrisure serve to remind fans to bring that same intense energy to every game. 

Steelers' Patrick Queen Is Loving The Greener Grass

While your mom may have told you, "The grass isn't greener on the other side," Queen will tell you it absolutely is. Queen left the Ravens after four seasons when they declined his fifth-year option. Queen has been engaging in some back-and-forth banter with his former teammates and fans. After declaring his love for Pittsburgh and stating that everything from the food to the fans is better, he took some heat on social media. 

Queen's decision to come to Pittsburgh was easy. He told Heyward on the same show that it "felt like home," and he just knew it was where he belonged. Tomlin was also a factor, as he and Queen have always had incredible mutual respect. Now, Queen said that he feels blessed to be able to play for a coach like him. 

How much do you think the environment plays a role in helping the Steelers intimidate opponents? Click to comment below. 

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