Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and receiver Eli Heidenreich prepare for their first preseason game against Green Bay. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
McCarthy and Heidenreich's return to Pittsburgh is special. McCarthy was moved to tears in January when he learned he would lead his hometown team. Heidenreich walked onto the draft stage in full Naval dress uniform in April, capturing hearts. He grew up in Mount Lebanon.
On Thursday night, they will take the field for the first time in a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. It's a special moment for them, but they know it's just the beginning.
Heidenreich said: "Naturally, there's some people that might assume that it was like you said, like a hometown pick or whatever, whatever someone wants to say. But I'm here to play football, and that's it."
Heidenreich is a graduate of the Naval Academy, where he set records for career receiving yards and touchdowns. He was a seventh-round pick. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 206 pounds. He dismissed comparisons to San Francisco 49ers player Christian McCaffrey.
The first game for McCarthy and Heidenreich will be interesting for many. They appreciate the opportunity to play in their hometown, but they don't forget that it's a sporting competition.