First Call: Opposing QB news for Steelers’ preseason, regular season openers; ex-Steeler may have averted a high school tragedy | TribLIVE.com
TribLive Logo
| Back | Text Size:
https://triblive.com/sports/first-call-opposing-qb-news-for-steelers-pre-regular-season-openers-ex-steeler-may-have-averted-a-high-school-tragedy/

First Call: Opposing QB news for Steelers’ preseason, regular season openers; ex-Steeler may have averted a high school tragedy

Tim Benz
| Tuesday, August 8, 2023 6:09 a.m.
AP
Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (right) causes a fumble by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the NFC Championship on Jan. 29 in Philadelphia.

Tuesday’s “First Call” has updates on which quarterbacks the Pittsburgh Steelers will face in both their preseason and regular season openers.

A Steelers legend is going to be the subject of an upcoming documentary. The Steelers are taking a look at a former Baltimore Ravens offensive line prospect.

And an ex-Steeler appears to have played the role of hero at his high school alma mater.

Fancy seeing you here

It looks like the Steelers will be facing a familiar foe at quarterback in their first preseason game.

Former Cleveland Brown Baker Mayfield is slated to start at QB Friday night for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kyle Trask will then start the club’s second game vs. the New York Jets. The two signal callers have been rotating first-team throughout the offseason. That’s according to Pewter Report.

Pewter Report’s @JCAllenNFL is reporting per sources: #Bucs QB Baker Mayfield will start the first preseason game vs. the Steelers. Kyle Trask will then start the second game vs. the Jets. The two have been rotating first-team reps daily through the offseason & training camp.

— PewterReport ????‍☠️ (@PewterReport) August 7, 2023

The Bucs are entering their first season without Tom Brady since he showed up in Tampa at the start of the 2020 campaign.

Mayfield has a 2-5 career record against the Steelers with nine touchdowns and six interceptions. But he did win a playoff game at Acrisure Stadium during the 2020 postseason.

Brock ready to rock

According to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, the Steelers better be preparing for San Francisco’s top quarterback for their contest at Acrisure Stadium in Week 1 of the regular season.

Brock Purdy is coming off of elbow surgery. There had been some speculation this offseason that either Trey Lance or Sam Darnold may have to start the season out of training camp. But Shanahan is selling Purdy’s health without qualification.

“He’s gonna be ready,” Shanahan said Monday on the NFL Network’s “Inside Training Camp Live” program. “He’s ready now.”

Shanahan added that there have been “no limitations” in practice. His team plays the Las Vegas Raiders in their preseason opener Sunday. But Shanahan said don’t expect to see much of the starters — including Purdy — in that game.

"I doubt he plays"

-Kyle Shanahan on QB Brock Purdy playing in Sunday's preseason game vs the Raiders

— Clayton Holloway (@HollowayNFLN) August 7, 2023

Purdy came out of nowhere, winning five starts to close out the 2022 regular season, plus two playoff contests before getting injured in the NFC Championship Game.

More sports

• Healthy Calvin Austin taking steps to becoming more well-rounded WR for Steelers • For Kyle Dubas, adding Erik Karlsson serves as 'an affirmation' the Penguins can still win • Penguins' Jake Guentzel only expected to miss a few games to start season after surgery

Making a difference

Former Pittsburgh Steeler Evander “Ziggy” Hood is now a teacher and a defensive line coach at his high school alma mater, Palo Duro High School, in Amarillo, Texas.

He is being credited for playing a role in preventing what could’ve turned into yet another incident of tragic school violence.

As seen on KAMR/KCIT-TV last week, Hood noticed that a student appeared to be going through some sort of emotional trouble. Upon taking the time to speak with the student, it became clear to Hood that the teen was in a state of distress — making references to needing to protect himself.

According to the television station’s account, the school’s liaison officers got involved and “a weapon was found on campus and a student was arrested.”

But a potential tragedy was averted. And the school leaders were crediting Hood and the school officers for being alert and following the proper protocols.

“This ain’t the way to do it. Talk to somebody. If it’s not the teacher, if it’s not the counselor, if it’s not the principal, go to a local coach or go to somebody. You don’t want to make a permanent decision based off a temporary motion,” Hood told the station.

After 10 years in the NFL, Hood retired in 2019. The defensive lineman was a first-round draft choice by the Steelers out of Missouri in 2009. He played in Pittsburgh through the 2013 season. From there he made stops in Jacksonville, Chicago, Washington, Miami and New Orleans.

Ex-Raven flying to Pittsburgh?

According to Aaron Wilson of KRPC2 on Monday morning, the Steelers were planning to bring former Ravens offensive tackle Brandon Kipper in for a workout.

#Steelers are working out former #Ravens offensive lineman Brandon Kipper today, per a league source @KPRC2

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 7, 2023

Kipper is coming off of 45 consecutive starts with Oregon State, playing both right tackle and guard during his time there. He was undrafted coming out of college this spring, but eventually signed with the Baltimore Ravens before being waived in late July.

Kipper is 6-foot-5, 326 pounds. He met with the Steelers at the NFLPA Bowl.

Mel’s movie

Winter State Entertainment, which has a history of producing sports-related content, has two documentaries pending. One of them is about Steelers Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount.

The feature is being directed by Solomon Shields. He is the son of another NFL Hall of Famer, Kansas Chief Chiefs offensive lineman Will Shields.

Via Deadline.com, the film is titled, “Mel Blount: Whatever It Takes.” It will focus on Blount’s legendary career and his efforts to open up his youth home in Washington County.

“I’m excited about my documentary,” Blount told Deadline last week. “I hope it will inspire everyone to see challenges as opportunities.”

The other documentary is titled “Tommy John: The Bionic Man.” It’ll chronicle the former Major League Baseball pitcher’s career and the eventual development of career-saving arm surgery that pitchers now routinely have that bears his name.

Release dates and streaming platforms are as of yet unknown.


Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)