Chris Adamski stories, Page 33

Andy Russell, the seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has died. Russell, a 16th-round draft pick who played 12 seasons with the Steelers, was 82. A source confirmed Russell’s death to TribLive. A cause of death was not immediately known. News partner...

A man known for exquisite preparation in his professional dealings, Bill Hillgrove didn’t necessarily plan for Thursday to play out the way it did. But it was impossible not to recognize how perfectly fitting the way the day in which Hillgrove announced his partial retirement was going to end. “I’m...

A jersey worn by Roberto Clemente during the 1960 World Series season for the Pittsburgh Pirates is among items up for auction by online outlet Lelands. The iconic sleeveless jersey from what was Clemente’s first All-Star season received a grade of excellent from sports memorabilia authenticator SGC, the second-highest grade...

Fresh off his $77 million contract, Mitch Keller has achieved full Jedi status. The Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher is among three current or former franchise players to be featured on bobbleheads to be given away during games this season, the team announced Monday. But Keller’s figurine won’t be of him...

This is not the first time that On Sports was call-ed upon to provide a wrap-up of the day’s sports news when “Breakfast With Benz” has had the day off. They do need a safety … Damar Hamlin is no stranger to playing high-level football in Pittsburgh. He’s won WPIAL...

He might be earning a third Super Bowl ring Sunday. But Justin Watson holds a former football championship near and dear to his heart, too. “One of my favorite things when I go home is you pull into South Fayette, and right off the exit there’s a sign that says...

An increasing number of people are beginning to wonder if Patrick Mahomes just might end up as the greatest quarterback of all time. And at present, Mahomes’ defined position coach hails from New Kensington. David Girardi has been part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive staff since Mahomes took over...

It is possible — likely, even — that regardless of what team drafted Cameron Heyward that he would have embraced charitable efforts in improving that community. But it also is quite fitting that Heyward has been able to deploy his energies to improving Pittsburgh. “It’s my hometown and my birthplace,”...

The Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday made official some continued re-working of their offensive staff, announcing the hirings of Tom Arth as quarterbacks coach and Zach Azzanni as wide receivers coach. Also, the Steelers added Mateo Kambui as an offensive assistant. Word of the additions of Arth and Azzanni leaked Thursday...

Sunday’s Super Bowl will be the fourth time Javon Hargrave has faced Patrick Mahomes. By now, Hargrave joins the rest of the NFL world in recognizing Mahomes’ future Hall of Fame bona fides. Things were quite different the first time Hargrave played against Mahomes — and not just because at...

In the hours between the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff loss in Buffalo and when Levi Wallace went to bed the night of Jan. 15, Wallace already had turned his attention to non-football matters. “Now that it’s over,” Wallace said Jan. 16, “I was already sending out messages yesterday...

Taking Mike Tomlin at his word during his end-of-season news conference, Kenny Pickett has reclaimed his role as QB1 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin, of course, also promised “competition.” That term is open for interpretation, as are the Steelers’ methods for evaluating options in providing that aforementioned competition. It can...

A backup guard? Swing tackle? Emergency center? Eligible tight end? What, exactly, was Spencer Anderson’s role as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Steelers? The answer, of course, is “all of the above.” Like all players, Anderson would love to earn a starting spot and stick to one position. But for...

Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson became the second person to interview for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ vacant offensive coordinator position, the team announced Friday. Johnson, 35, spent an offseason and training camp with the Steelers as their No. 4 quarterback in 2012. He was briefly part of five other NFL...

The NFL announced finalists for its eight most notable football-related awards Thursday. The Pittsburgh Steelers had two, both for defense. One was widely expected; the other, a pleasant surprise. T.J. Watt was a finalist for AP Defensive Player of the Year for a fourth time. The NFL’s sacks leader in...

A week after most NFL training camps opened last summer, safety Trenton Thompson was little more than an unemployed ballplayer. “In my mind, I was prepping to get ready to play for the now-UFL, the United Football League,” Thompson said last week, referencing his mindset on the first day of...

T.J. Watt won’t find out if he will win a second AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for another two weeks. But Wednesday, it was announced he lost out to Myles Garrett for a similar honor. Garrett, the Cleveland Browns’ star edge defender, was named the Professional Football...

The Pittsburgh Steelers continued to replenish their offseason roster, announcing the signing five players to reserve/future contracts Tuesday. Three of the signings are cornerbacks. Each of the five spent at least part of this past season on the Steelers’ practice squad: • Outside linebacker David Perales was among the undrafted...

An Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient was chosen to receive a trip to the Super Bowl as part of a promotion involving Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt. Wounded in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan, Army reservist Adam Alexander — like Watt — is a Wisconsin native. According...

Joey Porter Jr. began his rookie season as a subpackage defender for the Pittsburgh Steelers. By midseason, he was their “shutdown” No. 1 cornerback. On Tuesday, he was honored as one of the top rookies in the league. Porter Jr. was named to the Professional Football Writers of America all-rookie...

Los Angeles Rams pass-game coordinator Zac Robinson will interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers for their vacant offensive coordinator job, Sports Illustrated reported Monday. Robinson, 37, just completed his fifth season on the Rams’ staff under head coach Sean McVay. Following two seasons as assistant quarterbacks coach and one as assistant...

Only two players on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ current roster have played in a game for the team in the greater Washington, D.C., area. How long has it been since the Steelers played there? The team was called the Redskins. Two naming iterations later, the Steelers this year will make a...

Mike Tomlin isn’t exactly known as the type of coach who freely dispenses praise for young players. So when in answering the 58th question asked of him during his season-ending news conference last week, Tomlin didn’t restrain in extolling rookie Keeanu Benton, it opened eyes. “I think he’s capable of...

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt will not participate in the NFL’s Pro Bowl games because of a knee injury that prevented him from playing in last week’s playoff game. The Cleveland Browns gave word of Watt’s absence via the announcement that two of their players — linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah...