First Call: Tyler Kennedy can't dismiss Sidney Crosby trade talk; car stolen from ex-Steeler involved in high-speed chase

Friday’s “First Call” has a crazy story about someone stealing the car of a retired Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl champion.

Tyler Kennedy thinks there might be some fire to the smoke about these Sidney Crosby trade rumors.

We set up the weekend of college football action. A Cleveland Brown may have picked the wrong guy to trash-talk, and the national anthem signer for Sunday’s Steelers game probably wasn’t on your bingo card.

Not ruling it out

Pat Brisson got the hockey world buzzing this week when he stopped short of ruling out the prospect of a trade for his client, Sidney Crosby.

Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy was on 93.7 The Fan on Thursday. After 20 years of Crosby skating in Pittsburgh, Kennedy didn’t think such an idea could ever materialize. Now, he’s not so sure.

“This is the first time that I think it could happen,” Kennedy said. “When your agent comes out and says that, I think he’s trying to get the Penguins to do … something.” 

Kennedy echoed a theory we advanced at “Breakfast with Benz” that perhaps the team is considering trades of Crosby’s linemates, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. And, to whatever degree Crosby was on board with a team rebuilding project, it may stop there.

Or, Kennedy theorized, perhaps Brisson is trying to spook the Penguins into adding to the team so Crosby isn’t bogged down on a perpetual loser in the autumn of his career.

“I think he’s looking out for his client and surrounding him with players,” Kennedy said on the “Pomp and Joe” show.

Kennedy was a teammate of Crosby’s from 2007-13. They won a Stanley Cup together in 2009.

Dude, where’s my car?

Also during that episode of “Pomp and Joe,” former Steeler Chris Hoke was in studio. He had a wild story about something that happened to him over the weekend.

As you may have heard on the local news this week, a high-speed chase took place in Ohio after two teens stole a white Chrysler from Pittsburgh International Airport early Tuesday morning.

It turns out the stolen vehicle belonged to Hoke.

“That was my Chrysler. Isn’t that crazy?” Hoke said. “My understanding is that two teenagers bashed in the back passenger side window. They used some kind of device to program a key to my car. I had a key with me. I didn’t know that was possible. I love that car. I’ve had it for about eight years. Ten years? It’s totaled. I’ll never get the value out of it that it was to me.”

Via KDKA.com, “Allegheny County police said at 12:41 a.m. Tuesday, multiple vehicles were seen leaving an airport parking lot without paying after someone ‘forcibly damaged’ a gate. Investigators learned that two vehicles had been stolen and a third was found damaged in a lot.”

The website says the chase started in Canfield and lasted until the driver crashed into a cruiser on Shirley Road in Youngstown.

You sure?

Cleveland Browns defensive back Grant Delpit was asked how hard it is to tackle Baltimore star running back Derrick Henry. His response?

“Not hard.”

GD always up to make a tackle pic.twitter.com/2z3bovzr7w

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 11, 2025

The Buffalo Bills may disagree. Prior to a costly fumble, Henry rambled for 169 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s season-opener. He also put up 1,921 yards in rushing last year to lead the AFC.

Baltimore and Cleveland play each other this weekend. Henry’s response was simple: “We’ll see on Sunday.”

Derrick Henry's response to Browns safety Grant Delpit saying he's "not hard" to tackle. pic.twitter.com/kGOMmwSlhl

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 11, 2025

The Baltimore Ravens are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the franchise’s arrival from Cleveland on Sunday for the home opener.

I’m sure that’ll go over great back in Cleveland.

But don’t blame the Ravens. Blame the NFL schedule makers. The 30th anniversary celebration was announced in March before the NFL put Cleveland there as the home opening opponent.

More sports

• Steelers notes: Teryl Austin foresees increased role for Yahya Black
• Cam Heyward 'sleeping a lot better' after securing incentives in Steelers contract
• Steelers aim to correct flaws in run defense as they prepare for Seahawks

Keeping it local

In college football, Pitt and West Virginia hold center stage locally with the Backyard Brawl this weekend. At Caesars Sportsbook, the Panthers are a 7 ½ point favorite. The line opened at 4 ½.

Meanwhile, there are a few other intrastate clashes. Second-ranked Penn State is a 47 ½ point favorite over Villanova. And Duquesne is a 12 ½ point underdog at home against Lehigh on FanDuel. The Mountainhawks are ranked No. 10 in FCS.

Kickoff for that one is at noon at Arthur J. Rooney Field. Watch the special teams in that game. Something is bound to happen every time the ball is kicked. Lehigh has allowed a kick return for a touchdown in each of its first two games. Duquesne nearly allowed one to Pitt in the opener, and did yield a punt return score to Desmond Reid.

Then last week, Dukes’ star receiver Joey Isabella muffed a punt against Lincoln for a turnover, but also popped a 29-yard return.

As for Robert Morris, after opening with losses to West Virginia and Youngstown State, the Colonials host West Liberty at 6 p.m.

Interesting choice

Acrisure Stadium announced that Bruce Dickinson will be the singer for the national anthem on Sunday prior to the Steelers-Seahawks game.

He’s the lead singer for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Dickinson’s solo act is at Stage AE on Saturday.

Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of @IronMaiden will perform the National Anthem this Sunday prior to #SEAvsPIT! pic.twitter.com/v8QR2Hrznh

— Acrisure Stadium (@AcrisureStadium) September 10, 2025

I was hoping that “Renegade” might be replaced for the day by Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills.”

Unfortunately, I don’t think that is going to happen. However, our followers on social media seem to like the idea.

Put in Eddie to stop the run! pic.twitter.com/yZeJl49myD

— Todd Sprouls (@JustTodd412) September 12, 2025

Perhaps Dickinson will also perform Iron Maiden’s hit song “Wasted Years” as an homage to the last eight years without a playoff win in that stadium.

No? Too far?