Steelers Now
UNITY TWP, Pa. — It wasn’t the most sweltering practice of this Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. The pads weren’t even on. But it still got heated a few times Thursday at St. Vincent College.
A day after hitting one another for the first time in a true capacity, a pair of pass-catchers and defensive backs got into it during the morning session.
The first dust-up came after tight end Jonnu Smith made a leaping catch over safety Juan Thornhill during a drill. After the grab, Smith got up and spiked the ball toward Thornhill, prompting the latter to pop up and shove Smith. The push started a brawl and gathered a crowd before Jalen Ramsey, typically an instigator, stepped in as peacemaker.
“Nah, I ain’t got no history with 22,” Smith said after practice. “We’re just out here at training camp competing, trying to get better. That’s it. … When you’re a competitor, man, that competitive spirit comes out in different ways, you know what I mean? That’s just how I was feeling at the time.”
The two lined up for another rep against one another, which sailed high on Smith, who said he’d give Thornhill the win on that one.
Later in the practice, receiver DK Metcalf and safety Chuck Clark locked horns for a moment, but were soon pulled in different directions.
“It’s training camp,” Clark said. “I like it. I don’t care. I love it. To me, it is what it is. It’s football. … It’s the nature of the game. It’s a rough game. If you put a bunch of A-type personalities in a space and say “Go be competitive, go be physical,” stuff (is) gonna happen.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin used the same phrase as Smith did.
“I loved the energy and competitive spirit on display,” Tomlin said afterward. “I think you can do both. I think you can learn and develop skill while competing and competing at a high level.
“I’d much rather say whoa than sic ’em. This is a football team we’re putting together, but it’s also an opportunity to learn how to compete and compete the right way, and be professional. But largely, those circumstances is our business.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: ‘Competitive Spirit’ Takes Over During Steelers Practice Dust-Ups
