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First Call: An ex-Steeler just bought a hockey team; Aaron Donald's plan to stop Eagles QB sneak | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

First Call: An ex-Steeler just bought a hockey team; Aaron Donald's plan to stop Eagles QB sneak

Tim Benz
Tim Benz

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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Myles Jack puts a hit on Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate during a game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium.

For Friday’s “First Call,” we’ve got a surprising career choice for a former Steeler. An ex-Raven is stirring the pot when it comes to the Steelers rivalry. Aaron Donald thinks he may be able to combat the Philadelphia Eagles’ allegedly unstoppable play.

And the internet is having a field day with Chase Claypool.

Didn’t see this coming

When former Steelers linebacker Myles Jack retired this summer, I didn’t have “hockey franchise owner” on my bingo card as his next professional endeavor.

In fact, it was Jack himself this summer that said if he didn’t continue playing football, he would probably pick up a trade like being a plumber or electrician in retirement.

After a short stint with the Philadelphia Eagles in their training camp, Jack actually did retire.

Instead of going to a trade school of some sort, he bought a hockey team — the ECHL’s Allen Americans. They play in Allen, Texas. Jack played with the Jacksonville Jaguars for seven years before joining the Steelers for the 2022 campaign.

The ECHL’s Board of Governors approved the transfer of controlling interest of the Allen Americans to a group led by Jack and his mother, LaSonjia.

“From the football field to the business world, I have always brought passion and leadership to my teams. The opportunity to lead this franchise and serve our great fans is an incredible responsibility,” Jack said in a news release. “I’m excited to bring a first-class, family friendly entertainment option to this community alongside our great partners.”

Allen has been in existence since 2009 and won the Kelly Cup in 2015 and 2016. They are an affiliate of the Ottawa Senators.

At least we are admitting it

On ESPN Radio, former Baltimore Raven turned show host Chris Canty admitted something that, I think, most Steelers fans assumed.

The Ravens wallow in a tradition of taking dirty shots at the Steelers.

“You’re not a Raven until you cheap-shot a Steeler,” Canty said via a transcript at Steelers Depot.

Terrell Suggs certainly subscribed to that credo. Ray Lewis lowering his head on Hines Ward comes to mind.

Related:

• Friday Football Footnotes: An all Steelers-Ravens rivalry edition
• Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin was asked the necessary questions. You decide if he gave appropriate answers
• U mad, bro?: After a 30-6 loss in Houston, angry Steelers fans swarm on Mike Tomlin, Kenny Pickett, Matt Canada

Also this week, Roquan Smith gave a somewhat more politically correct version of that stance.

“I’m not a Raven this season until I beat the Steelers… I take great pride in being a Raven. I want to earn that right, as well,” Smith said.

Smith joined the Ravens last year after a trade from the Chicago Bears.

Aaron’s angle

Pitt Panthers product Aaron Donald has accomplished a lot in what will go down as a Hall of Fame career. Now he will try to do something that no one has been able to pull off.

Stopping Philadelphia’s “Brotherly Shove.”

The Eagles version of a quarterback sneak has been deemed unstoppable by many in NFL circles. Now Donald thinks he has the tactics to counter it. But the hard part will be pulling it off once the ball is snapped.

“You got to be stout in the middle,” Donald said via Pro Football Talk. “Obviously, the offensive line tries to get as low as you can. I think it all starts from the center (Jason Kelce). You get under his pads and pop him up and then guys crowd the ball. You can stop it, but it is definitely tough.”

The Eagles (4-0) visit Los Angeles (2-2) Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m.

Oops

Connor Bedard is expected to do big things as a rookie. The highly touted draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks begins his career in Pittsburgh Tuesday night against the Penguins in the season opener.

But he had a less than stellar moment against former Penguin Marc-Andre Fleury during a preseason shootout Thursday.

Fleury and the Wild won the game 3-2. Fleury stopped 27 of 29 shots. Bedard didn’t have any points.

Uncool to Claypool

As we told you earlier in the week, former Steeler Chase Claypool has been banished from the Chicago Bears team.

Perhaps it’s a case of addition by subtraction on Thursday. Or maybe they just played the Washington Commanders. But, either way, the Bears had their second straight impressive offensive showing without Claypool on the field, winning in D.C. 40-20.

Chicago lost but put up 28 points (31-28 defeat) with Claypool benched in Denver Sunday.

During Thursday night’s win, quarterback Justin Fields found receiver D.J. Moore for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

The internet had some fun at Claypool’s expense.

On Chicago’s ESPN 1000 before the game, general manager Ryan Poles indicated Claypool’s time in Chicago is over and wished him well “moving forward.”

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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