The Pittsburgh Steelers' current roster reads like a mini University of Alabama football reunion. That is really no surprise since 'Bama has the most NFL players for the sixth season in a row. The Steelers are no exception, having four former Crimson Tide members including Levi Wallace, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Najee Harris and JC Hassenhauer.
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Wallace was a guest on The 33rd Team's podcast The Mac and MC Show. They talked about the camaraderie and unique connection that exists among Tide players, especially his with fellow defensive member Fitzpatrick.
Steelers Wallace Drops Bombs
The Mac & MC Show is hosted by former Tide football players, Josh McMillon and Mac Hereford. They asked Wallace how it is being reunited with so many former college teammates. He said he and Harris chatted quite a bit as the season went on but Fitzpatrick is the one he is closest to. Since they both play defense they spend a lot of time together in meetings.
“Me and Minkah, you know we just kind of picked up where we left off, being close as we are. We still talk almost every day, shoot each other texts, even more so because we're on the same team. Like two dudes back in high school, to just reconnect after a long time. It’s super dope being a teammate of his again.”
Wallace said that Fitzpatrick has quietly become a leader for the Steelers' defense. He has earned the respect of the other players on the team.
“I think Minks always been a leader by example, not like a talkative, vocal leader. We have guys like TJ Watt and Cam Hayward who are already talkative. You know Mink just goes to work and just outworks everybody. I mean it's the way he plays the game, you know he goes up there, kind of like Budda Baker - no fear, just always just running around flying. He wants to be a part of every tackle. You know what I mean, he had another Pro-Bowl year, All Pro year, with six interceptions. We don't expect anything less from Mink.”
Fitzpatrick, according to Wallace, is a leader by example. He gives the team and the game 110 percent every single day and his hard work helps to motivate others.
“He's just that type of dude who's gonna show you how to work by doing it himself, he's not going to ask you to do anything that he's not doing. I mean obviously, in the DB room he's the leader in there, he may not be the oldest guy in the room but at that experience and that level you know age ain't nothing, it's all about production. That goes for on and off the field, and so he definitely has the floor.”
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Then Wallace dropped a bit of a bomb, sharing that at times Fitzpatrick seems to have a sixth sense about what the offense is going to do. Maybe he has a supernatural football power, like "I see a trap out of wing T coming" type of moment, regardless he said he is usually spot on.
“Minkah's so funny man. I mean I've been in a huddle with him and he's changed the call before. Yeah, it's hilarious. He’s definitely changed the call before. He just sees something, he's so instinctive. He wants to be in the best position for his teammates, but he also wants to go make a play and wants somebody else to make the play. And usually, nine times out of ten, he's right.”
The Steelers are blessed to have two such incredibly powerful players defending the backfield. Wallace may not have earned the Pro Bowl nod that he wanted but he had a strong season, finishing with a career-high four interceptions.
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Everyone is looking forward to seeing what the "'Bama Boys" will call in the Steelers' huddle in 2023.
Regardless of whether you are a University of Alabama fan or not you can't deny the volume of quality players that enter the NFL from the school. Do you think that this shared connection is helpful to players like Wallace and Fitzpatrick or a distraction? Are you surprised that Fitzpatrick changes plays in the huddle? Comment below.
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