Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek doesn’t care about receiving praise and accolades. He’s more than fine with flying under the radar and doing whatever he can to contribute to the team winning. To say the least, he’s not your typical wide receiver.
“Ben’s the kind of guy you don’t want on other teams. You like him on your team,” Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni said. “He’s a guy that does all the dirty work. He’s the goon, if you will. And he’s a sneaky good receiver, too. He’s a talented kid. People don’t give him enough credit for that because of the other things he does so well, on special teams and carrying the run fight for us. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
Through four games, Skowronek has one reception for 22 yards, which was Aaron Rodgers’ first touchdown pass in a Steelers uniform. While he hasn’t contributed much in the passing game, he played a key role as a blocker in the team’s 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He played a season-high 18 offensive snaps.
“As long as we’re winning, I don’t really care,” Skowronek said. “I just like playing football. I could have five catches in a game. I could have one, I could have zero. As long as we’re winning, I really don’t care.
“I just like to win. Whatever I’m asked to do to win a game, if one week it’s catch five balls, whether it’s zero balls, block the mike (linebacker). Whatever I am asked to, I’m going to go out there and give 100% effort and try to execute it to the best of my ability.
“The only stats I truly care about are special teams tackles, if I’m being honest. I just like tackling guys. That’s it really.”
Skowronek recorded three combined special teams tackles in Sunday’s win. He received the highest Pro Football Focus special teams grade (88.7) for the Steelers.
“I just like playing football,” Skowronek said. “So, whatever it takes, that’s what I do. I’ve got a role. I just like football, whether it’s receiver, fullback, tight end, special teams. I just like playing ball.”
“As a receiver, though, there is always a desire to put up big numbers, to be the guy who has the ball come his way.”
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Scrappy Steelers WR Doesn’t Mind Doing the Dirty Work: ‘I’m Glad He’s on Our Team’
