Steelers Now
While on the back nine of his career, Jalen Ramsey still has a lot in the tank as he joins the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ramsey joined “The Pivot Podcast” recently and discussed how he’d prefer the remainder of his odyssey to unfold. Co-host and former hard-hitting Steelers safety Ryan Clark offered a comparison for the brash three-time first-team Associated Press All-Pro.
“Two of my favorite players that have ever played the game — both last name ‘Woodson’ — Rod Woodson, Charles Woodson, were walking together in the Hall of Fame and I thought to myself, ‘Jalen’s career is very parallel to them both,'” Clark said. “And talking to Mike (Tomlin) today, he said, ‘You know what? We’re gonna use him everywhere. His intellect, his athleticism, his versatility, his ability to communicate allows us to play him where we need him.'”
Ramsey said his favorite cornerbacks are Darelle Revis, Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders. His favorite overall defensive back, though, is Charles Woodson.
“Probably favorite player ever. Favorite DB, for sure,” Ramsey said. “When I used to play nickel at Florida State my sophomore year, I used to go have the video crew go get me clips of Charles playing nickel. So, from then, I started watching him and just studying him. … Just his mindset on things.
“I’ve always wanted my career to look more like that than anybody else. If I had to pick one person that I want my career to look like, it’s always been him, whether that is 12 years, 15, 18, whatever. I’ve always seen my career looking like that.”
Woodson played 18 years in the NFL, moving from cornerback to safety as a 36-year-old. He played four seasons in that spot to cap off his decorated career. Woodson won AP Defensive Player of the Year at 33. Ramsey is 30 and hopes to make a similar impact in black and gold.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey Aims to Pattern Rest of Career After Hall of Famer
