Behind the Steel Curtain
It was officially announced back in May that the Steelers would take on the Minnesota Vikings in the first regular-season NFL game to take place in Ireland.
This is the second time the Steelers and Vikings will go head-to-head overseas. The first game was played in London in 2013 – a game in which Minnesota prevailed 34-27.
We now know the travel plans leading up to the team’s week 4 contest on Sep. 28 will be consistent with the previous trip.
In an interview with WTAE’s Andrew Stockey, Steelers president Art Rooney II said:
“I think the team is planning to leave on Thursday, arriving In Dublin on Friday morning. So, we’ll have two practices Friday and Saturday. And the game on Sunday. And leave right after the game.”
This news certainly won’t thrill All-Pro DT Cameron Heyward, who is already in the midst of a contract dispute. Back in May on his “Not Just Football,” podcast, Heyward was heavily critical of the way the travel was handled:
““We left Thursday night and arrived Friday morning.” Everybody was asleep during practice. Everybody was falling asleep during the stretch,” said Heyward. Then we had meetings after, everybody fell asleep there. Then, during the game, everybody was asleep in the first half. It’s rough because you’re going, what? It’ll be five hours ahead? So you’re trying to get sleep on a plane going over there. It’s not ideal.”
The team and their operations still have time to alter the itinerary, but if it remains, the black and gold will have little time to get acclimated.
The contest will count as a home game for the Steelers, as the Rooney’s rich history in Ireland paved the way for this historic game.
What are your thoughts on the Steelers travel schedule? Let us know in the comments section!
