Steelers' newest addition explains why his history of winning the Super Bowl has him doing what other stars aren't in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers are two days into OTAs, and some of the biggest names on the team haven't shown up. One of the players who did was the new acquisition Darius Slay, who just won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. And after you hear why he decided to show up, it makes you […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are two days into OTAs, and some of the biggest names on the team haven't shown up.
One of the players who did was the new acquisition Darius Slay, who just won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
And after you hear why he decided to show up, it makes you wish everyone had the same mentality…
Darius Slay on why he's at OTAs
"Because this where you build, this is where it starts off. This is where championship football starts at," said Slay on Wednesday. "Everybody has to buy in, and this is the time to buy in. I know guys have family and stuff, and I have got one as well, but if you want to be a champion, there are some things you have to sacrifice. I want to be here on time, be present, let guys see my face, and show guys it is important to be here, and I am here to win.”
Part of me says, well, these are voluntary workouts and with so many specialized trainers around, the need to show up before mandatory minicamp is relatively mute. But who am I, and who are the stars on the team not to sit back and listen to Darius Slay, who is a six-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro, and now a Super Bowl champion.
You know who didn't miss OTAs? Tom Brady and his teammates for 20 years with the New England Patriots dynasty. You know who doesn't miss OTAs now? Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The proof is in the pudding. But I don't blame DK Metcalf for sitting out OTAs when he doesn't even know if the QB throwing him the ball is on that field. I don't blame T.J. Watt for taking a stand as he awaits a contract extension.
As for Aaron Rodgers? Well, he's receiving a lot of heat for not showing up, but he's not even on the team.
So to each their own when it comes to how you approach voluntary workouts, but Slay does make a good point after speaking from experience.
