Former Pitt star acknowledges “full circle moment” in signing with Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for signing and drafting players they have a relationship with. The more background they can receive on a player, the higher the likelihood he gets signed, because culture trumps in all in Pittsburgh. So for former Pitt running back Qadree Ollison, it was a return that you couldn't even script: […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for signing and drafting players they have a relationship with.
The more background they can receive on a player, the higher the likelihood he gets signed, because culture trumps in all in Pittsburgh.
So for former Pitt running back Qadree Ollison, it was a return that you couldn't even script:
"It's a Full Circle Moment"
"To me, Pittsburgh always felt like a second home," Ollison told reporters on Monday. "You know, I went from high school to kind of becoming a man here, and now coming back here five years later, is really a full circle moment and it just feels right."
Ollison played for the Pitt Panthers from 2014-2018, including a senior season that earned All-ACC second-team honors as the conference's second-leading rusher that season.
Ollison was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, where he played three years before a stint with the Dallas Cowboys.
And after he was released during the roster cutdown deadline last week, Pittsburgh knew he was worthy of a spot on the practice squad, especially given his relationship with Kenny Pickett:
"Out at practice, that was the first time I took a handoff from him [Kenny Pickett] in five years," Ollison told reporters. "He [Kenny Pickett] even said it, he was like, ‘Just for old time’s sake.’ So I went and took a handoff from him. It’s (neat) having somebody here that I played with who was a teammate of mine, and now he’s the face of the franchise. It’s amazing, honestly."
And while Ollison likely won't see much action in 2023 barring injury, these are the kind of players you want on your practice squad. Experience and relationships matter in football, and Ollison is proving that to be true with the Steelers.
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Featured image via: Chris Adamsksi (@C_AdamskiTrib) on Twitter/X
