Brett Keisel to hold final 'Shear Da Beard' event for UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

For the last nine years, Brett Keisel has sheared off his infamous beard in support of cancer programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

But all good trims must come to an end.

On Thursday, the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end will endure the clippers one last time, ending what he has dubbed “a decade of beards.”

“It’s just time to switch things up,” Keisel said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I think people have seen the beard get trimmed here for the last 10 years, and I think it’s a nice time to end that part of the fundraising and go on to something new.”

#ShearDaBeardX ? https://t.co/dAok4HKtfw pic.twitter.com/FW9tErfylS

— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) February 8, 2020

Keisel has been growing out his beard since last year’s “Shear Da Beard” event. Proceeds benefit the hospital’s Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

“It’s long,” Keisel said of his beard. “It’s probably … I don’t know, six inches or so.”

More than 600 people are expected to attend the 10th and final beard shear, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Marshall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., but the event has already sold out.

The annual event has raised more than $730,000 since its onset. Tickets for Thursday’s event were $99 apiece.

Keisel said he is proud that he was able to bring people together for something fun — a man makeover — while emphasizing the needs of children undergoing cancer treatments.

“All the money goes toward programs that directly help the families and kids that are fighting there on a daily basis, and Pittsburgh has shown up,” Keisel said. “Pittsburgh is such a fantastic city where we look out for each other, take care of each other and show up for each other. I love this place.”

UPMC Children’s is grateful for the support Keisel has shown them.

“We can’t thank Brett enough for his willingness to be such a wonderful partner to us,” said Louis Rapkin, clinical director of oncology at UPMC Children’s. “We value his continued support to our patients and families at UPMC Children’s.”

Originally from Greybull, Wyo., Keisel was drafted by the Steelers in 2002. The 41-year-old now lives in Pittsburgh with his wife Sarah and their three children, Jacob, Grace and William.

He loves the Steel City.

“I love the culture Pittsburgh has, the tradition we have,” he said. “I love the emphasis of sports here. I love the black and gold that runs through Pittsbughers veins. It’s definitely something that has grown into who I am.”

Keisel started growing out his beard in 2010 as a good luck charm. He said he was influenced by the Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup win.

“I wanted to bring some good luck to us. We ended up making it all the way to the Super Bowl, but fell short,” Keisel said. “It definitely was a key emotion in ‘Shear Da Beard.’ I don’t know if we would have done ‘Shear Da Beard’ after Dallas had we won. I don’t know what would have happened, but I wanted to do something for the fans and for the great kids at Children’s and the doctors and nurses that work there on a daily basis.”

Keisel said it’s been great forging relationships with children and their families, and seeing them beat an illness they may have been fighting from a young age.

“I don’t take for granted the tough fight that those kids and families are in, and it helped me keep things in perspective and helped me keep my focus on others, not so much myself,” he said.

Keisel will share the stage with Nora Misencik, a 4-year-old cancer patient who is under the care of clinicians at UPMC Children’s.

Keisel has known Nora since she was 8-months-old.

“I met her four years ago,” he said. “It’s incredible.”

Thanks everyone for making #ShearDaBeardX SOLD OUT!
Going to be a great night for great kids. @ChildrensPgh @jergels @BrettKissel @donnieiris @GhostHounds #ForDaKids pic.twitter.com/T2AjeGqJXd

— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) February 11, 2020

Current and former Steelers will have the opportunity to get in on the beard trimming action. A few of Thursday’s celebrity barbers include Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Heyward and James Harrison. The DVE Morning Show host Randy Baumann will emcee the event.

“The neat thing about our Steeler family is we all kind of keep in touch with each other and we always try and be there for each other,” Keisel said.