First Call: Chiefs trade former WPIAL standout; Steelers reportedly looking at free agent guard

The Pittsburgh Steelers apparently have interest in a free-agent veteran guard. A former WPIAL standout has been traded by the Kansas City Chiefs. Tommy Pham claims Toronto thought about acquiring him before the trade deadline.

And a second Robert Morris hockey product is going to be part of the 2026 Olympics.

All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Guarding against injury

Free agent guard Dalton Risner was reportedly in Seattle for a visit Wednesday. He has also worked out for the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, Pittsburgh may be his next stop. That’s according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Free agent guard Dalton Risner, who worked out for the #Bengals today, will also visit the #Seahawks, per source. Visiting the #Steelers also a consideration. Wants to take multiple visits before making a decision. pic.twitter.com/pMQFVLVan4

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 19, 2025

Risner was a second-round pick by Denver out of Kansas State in 2019. He played there until 2022. The past two years, he was a Minnesota Viking. He has 81 NFL starts under his belt.

This might mean that the Steelers are concerned about depth at the position after Mason McCormick and Isaac Seumalo. It may also mean the team has worries about Seumalo’s offseason injury. Or it could mean the team is unsure of McCormick’s development in Year 2 after a relatively strong rookie season.

Or it could be a little from column A, B, and C all put together. My guess is that it’s mostly about Seumalo’s health and hoping to pick up an experienced lineman for depth if needed.

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Spilling the tea

Buried in the fallout of the benches-clearing incident with the Toronto Blue Jays that Tommy Pham started Monday night, he posted a social media message claiming that the Jays were considering a trade for him, and that pitcher Max Scherzer was pushing for it.

As Pham took to X the morning after the dust-up, he found a post from a follower claiming that Scherzer was going to throw at him for escalating the incident.

Pham refuted the claim, insisting he and Scherzer were chatting during batting practice Monday morning and that the eight-time All-Star was angling to get Pham to Toronto before the trade deadline.

“Me and max was chopping it up yesterday during BP actually he told me the jays asked about me during the deadline and he told them go get me,” Pham claimed in a response.

Pham didn’t end up playing Tuesday, but he did Wednesday, driving in both Pittsburgh runs with a two-out RBI double as the Bucs won 2-1.

Apparently, a lot of the Toronto fans in attendance at PNC Park had been all over Pham during the game. So, during postgame interviews, Pham was asked what it was like silencing his critics in opposing colors.

Pham on silencing the road fans' boos today:

"I got booed every game here the first half, I guess that wasn't anything new to me... oh well." ????

Tommy always keeps it real ???? pic.twitter.com/GSPDPIBABR

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) August 20, 2025

Fair enough. Pham is now hitting .305 with an .852 OPS since July 1 after having a .194 batting average as late as June 19.

Moore moving on

A WPIAL alum has been traded in the NFL.

The Kansas City Chiefs dealt Shady Side Academy product Skyy Moore and a seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-rounder in return. Both picks are 2027 selections.

Moore was a second-round pick in 2022 from Western Michigan. He has 43 receptions for 494 yards and a touchdown in his career.

The New Kensington native had a wild up-and-down game against Seattle last week. He dropped two passes and flubbed a kickoff. However, he also returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown.

Skyy Moore goes 88 yards on the punt return for six!

Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xEeFqY432G

— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025

The 49ers are dealing with significant depth issues at the position. Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a knee injury. Jauan Jennings has a calf problem. Jacob Cowing aggravated his hamstring injury Wednesday, Jordan Watkins has a high ankle sprain, and DeMarcus Robinson is facing a three-game DUI suspension.

Olympic-bound

Robert Morris hockey will have a second alum involved in the 2026 Olympic Games.

Kirsten Welsh (2019) has been selected as a linesperson for the women’s hockey games in Milano Cortina.

Congrats to @RMUWHockey alum Kirsten Welsh '19 who has been selected as a linesperson for Women's hockey in the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy! https://t.co/QVbgt43GkD pic.twitter.com/a5BeOK17IM

— Colonial Hockey Foundation (@ColonialHF) August 19, 2025

Welsh is 10th all-time in Colonials history in both points (91) and goals (34).

The native of Ontario currently serves as a linesperson in the American Hockey League (AHL) and Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In September 2019, Welsh became one of four women to officiate at the NHL level for the first time. She worked an NHL Prospect Tournament hosted by the Buffalo Sabres at the HARBORcenter.

Fellow Colonial alum Daniel Mantenuto is skating for Team Italy on the men’s side.