The Pittsburgh Steelers organization received a notably poor ranking in the 2023 NFLPA survey. These surveys serve as report cards for the year, covering everything from the treatment of players' families to ownership, stadiums, and facilities. The goal of the report card is to give players insight to help them make decisions during free agency and better understand the organizations they might join.
AP Photo
Steelers Team President Art Rooney II and Head Coach Mike Tomlin oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
One of the lowest scores on the Steelers' report card went to Team President Art Rooney II, who was ranked as the 29th best owner in the NFL. Many responding players expressed concerns that Rooney is unwilling to invest in upgrading the team's facilities.
In addition, Mike Jones and The Athletic NFL Staff conducted a similar survey with anonymous NFL players, asking a wide range of questions. While this survey is not identical to the NFLPA's, it features input from a random selection of players about various league issues. One key takeaway from the data was that opposing players don't enjoy coming to play in Pittsburgh.
"I would say Pittsburgh, because it smells like p**s in their locker room," one player said.
The survey asked players which city they least enjoy traveling to, with the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills topping the list. Pittsburgh was ranked ninth as one of the least favorite destinations, but the comments from players made it seem even worse.
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Steelers fans celebrate during a road game in Denver.
One anonymous player explained why he dreads playing in the Steel City.
"Pittsburgh. Even though it’s my vibe: tough. It’s just always gray and s—ty weather there," another added.
The two revealed responses suggest that players don’t dislike playing in Pittsburgh because of the fans, noise, or atmosphere. Instead, they simply don’t like the weather and complain that the locker room smells like urine. NFL players, being at the highest level of football, often expect top-tier facilities, and it seems the Steelers' visitor locker room doesn’t meet those expectations for some around the league.
While hearing these kinds of comments about the stadium isn’t ideal, for Steeler Nation, they’re amusing. You don’t want the opposing team to feel too comfortable when they visit. This is a competitive league, and while the Steelers certainly aren’t trying to make the experience unbearable for visitors, it's funny to hear how much opposing players dread coming to Pittsburgh.
Steelers Fans Will Be Curious About The 2024 NFLPA Survey Results
Surveys like these are always interesting. Between the 2023 NFLPA survey and this one, there seems to be a common complaint from both Steelers players and visitors about the facilities. It’ll be worth watching to see if the 2024 NFLPA survey brings better results for the team.
As for the recent survey about players hating to travel to Pittsburgh, that’s not something Steelers fans will lose sleep over. In fact, it’s a positive to hear that opposing teams dread coming to the Steel City.
Steelers.com
A plethora of Steelers fans wave the famous Terrible Towel during a home football game in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers fans are widely regarded as the best in the NFL, and many consider them the greatest in all of sports. It’s practically a given that at most away games, Steelers fans will show up in force and take over the opposing team's stadium. They travel well, they're passionate, and they make it tough not only to play in Pittsburgh but even for home teams when the Steelers are on the road.
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