Steelers teammates past, present, NFL world react to Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement
Twenty-four members of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization have already been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Five more have been voted into the exclusive Canton, Ohio, club and are due for formal induction later this year.
Aside from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, there arguably wasn’t an active Steelers player during the 2020 season that has a better current Hall of Fame résumé than Maurkice Pouncey. And the longtime center announced his retirement Friday at age 31 after 11 NFL seasons, all with the Steelers.
Known as a loyal, fun-loving teammate with an intense inner competitive fire, Pouncey was popular in the Steelers’ locker room. A four-time team co-captain, Pouncey’s voice carried weight.
Arguably, the signature moment of the latter stages of his Steelers career was one that got him suspended for two games by the NFL — Pouncey rushed to the defense of young backup quarterback Mason Rudolph after the Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett ripped Rudolph’s helmet off his head and slammed him over his head with it.
Two weeks later when the Steelers beat the Browns in a rematch, the postgame locker room featured a FaceTime call with Pouncey to present him the game ball. It was a tangible sign of the respect he commanded among teammates.
Many current teammates reacted to Pouncey’s retirement via social media, many offering well wishes or congratulatory messages, including arguably his best friend on the team, Roethlisberger:
I don't have the words...I love you and thank you. -- Ben. pic.twitter.com/QcUl132mMd
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) February 12, 2021
Offensive tackle Zach Banner recognized how Pouncey retired jointly with his brother, Mike:
They came into the world together, and now leave the NFL together...
Congrats to the Pouncey Twins on retiring!
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) February 12, 2021
Ramon Foster played (literally) alongside Pouncey for a decade. Foster’s Twitter account made the initial announcement.
It’s my honor that my brothers from another asked me to announce the next stage in their life. After over a decade @MaurkicePouncey and Mike Pouncey are RETIRING from the @nfl ?. Below are their memos to thank those involved in their careers. #Steeler #chargers #Miami #NFL pic.twitter.com/v9IALOrZaX
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) February 12, 2021
Right tackle Chuks Okorafor was one of the many young players mentored by Pouncey in recent years.
Unforgettable career Pounce your legacy will live on forever in Pittsburgh.Your work ethic, dedication and love for this game is unmatched. You’ll be missed brotha but the HALL OF FAME awaits you. THANK YOU @MaurkicePouncey pic.twitter.com/sYu47gzfGV
— Chukwuma Okorafor (@Chuks__76) February 12, 2021
Stephon Tuitt lined up across from Pouncey countless times at practice.
A player taking over the leadership mantle from Pouncey is linebacker T.J. Watt.
A great player and an even better teammate! Your commitment to the game is something I always admired! Congratulations on a hell of a career! Enjoy retirement Pounce! @MaurkicePouncey https://t.co/sOUjSjZpIC
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) February 12, 2021
Mike Tomlin released a statement expressing respect. But he wasn’t the only Steelers coach to do so; running backs coach Eddie Faulkner did, too.
Real One right here! Thanks Pounce! https://t.co/NxgwvAO4T2
— Eddie Faulkner (@coachfaulk) February 12, 2021
The NFL’s other set of prominent twins weighed in as well.
Congrats to the Pouncey’s on outstanding careers!!! #TwinLife https://t.co/BAoAkoJjp5
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) February 12, 2021
Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Chris Hubbard was one of the handful of players mentioned personally by name by Pouncey in his retirement note. Hubbard also posted a message about Pouncey on Instagram.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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