Behind the Steel Curtain
A weekly Steelers (and AFC North) links roundup.
It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:
Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:
(From Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley): After being closed for the 2024 season, there was an official ribbon cutting for the return of the Steelers themed roller coaster, with it back in action for the amusement park’s 2025 season.
“We missed it,” said Ryan Huzjak, the Steelers vice president of sales and marketing. “It was an exciting process to get it up and running and see it go through it’s first season. We have been patiently waiting for all of the improvements to be made so it can be up and running consistently. We are excited for the re-opening and hopefully a long run.”
The Steel Curtain, Pennsylvania’s tallest roller coaster, was shut down for maintenance “to increase its reliability and longevity” last year after opening in 2019. Now, it’s back for 2025. You can view the Kennywood amusement park hours here.
(From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko): It’s why the Steelers’ starting strong safety decided that when he signed his two-year, $6 million contract last offseason that he wanted to involve himself with young people in his new city. And, specifically, he wanted to target mental health as a means by which to make an impact.
“It can be difficult for kids to even want to express themselves,” Elliott said. “Knowing how people might try to perceive you or make fun of you for having certain emotions. Or crying. Or looking for outside sources or outside help to be able to express how you really feel.”
Per the website of Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens, the organization Elliott partnered with, they provide “youth and families in the Greater Allegheny County area with a safe space where youth can be creative and expressive as they navigate their role in their community and in the world.”
(From PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh): The Pittsburgh Steelers have added a new coach for their OTA sessions this offseason. Derrick Mason, the assistant defensive backs coach at Johns Hopkins, posted on X that this is his first day with the team.
Farabaugh notes that it’s not expected to be a long term hire for the team, but rather a learning opportunity for Mason. How long he’ll be with the team is unknown.
Mason is entering his third season with John Hopkins; prior to that,...
