Welcome to Pigskin Press- My Story

It was December 16th, 2007, I was 7 years and 1 day old. We were celebrating my birthday with friends and family. I really don't have many memories, if any, before this day. Before it starts sounding too dramatic, this isn't because of some unfortunate family event or tragedy, but for 7 year old me it felt like the worst day ever.

On this particular day, my Pittsburgh Steelers were playing the Jacksonville Jaguars during a snow game at Heinz Field. I was deeply invested in this game for some particular reason. Maybe it was seeing all the adults watching and wanting to be like them. Maybe 7 is just the age football becomes serious, and I obviously wasted no time.

The Steelers ended up losing the game 29-22. The devastation and dread I felt that day was something I'll never forget. My brother tried cheering me up by telling me at least we aren't the Baltimore Ravens who lost the same week to the 0-13 Miami Dolphins. What stake does a 7 year old have in a football game that they could care so much if they lose? That's the beauty in this game.

The following year, my dad took me to my first ever game at Heinz Field. It was Week 10 vs the Peyton Manning led Indianapolis Colts. I will forever remember sitting in the same end zone that Dominic Rhodes caught the game winning pass just barely over the finger tips of Troy Polamalu to lose 24-20.

This time, I wasn't overcome with sadness that my team didn't win. I was just so amazed and grateful to be at Heinz Field and watch the Steelers play with my dad. I was learning what football really meant.

Later on that season, the Steelers won the Super Bowl vs Arizona. I wish I could say I have some great memories of that, but I was simply too young to understand the magnitude of it still.

From that season on, I have some sort of recollection of almost every Steelers game played. Unfortunately that's a lot of seasons ending in pitiful playoff loses, but it quickly gets shaken off and discussions begin the next day of how the team will get better for next season.

If you walk into a college cafe or see a group of guys talking at the bar, nine times out of ten, they are talking about football. It used to be just about games, but the rise in fantasy football and betting has created a whole new dynamic. Also, the NFL Draft is now a massive spectacle as well. Football season never really ends.

Football provides a break from reality for millions of people and even though for 31 teams it ends in heartbreak, no one really ever steps away from watching. It provides happiness and comfort in an often confusing world.

My reason for starting these blogs is to give myself and the reader a chance to just step away for a couple minutes. I could never get tired of writing about football and if I can provide someone with a good 5 minute read, then my day has been made. We will have daily recaps, predictions, previews, and gambling content. I have big plans beyond that with entering the media world, but it's important for me right now to stay grounded and see what works. I hope to provide a safe space for people to consume honest and non bias football content. I look forward to building this thing from the ground up and meeting other fans along the way that share the same passions I do.

"Stay hungry, remain humble, and get better

today."

PETE CARROLL

• Seth