First Call: Russell Wilson, Minkah Fitzpatrick provide Pro Bowl highlights; former Penguins yield solid trade return
Monday’s “First Call” has Pro Bowl highlights from a pair of current Steelers, while another comments on the departure of his position coach.
Some former Penguins fetched an eye-catching return in a trade between two NHL Western Conference franchises. And it was a case of some good and some bad in local women’s college basketball.
That’s what that looks like?
After just two turnovers during an 18-game campaign, we probably have all forgotten what a Minkah Fitzpatrick pick-6 looks like.
He reminded us Sunday in the Pro Bowl flag football game.
The Steelers safety intercepted Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was playing quarterback for the NFC late in the game. Fitzpatrick brought the interception back for a touchdown.
MINK WITH THE PICK-SIX!!!!!!!!!! @minkfitz_21
????: #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/WpdL6os4cj
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 2, 2025
Fitzpatrick also had an interception of a two-point conversion attempt in the end zone.
Picked off by Mink‼️ @minkfitz_21
????: #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/yqWsY34M8f
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 2, 2025
The NFC went on to win 76-63. The NFC has won all three years in the flag football format that began in 2023.
Russ running the show
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was a late addition to that game. He performed well and entertained the crowd.
Wilson threw a trick play touchdown to Houston’s Joe Mixon. It started via a throwback from Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase.
Russ ➡️ Ja'Marr ➡️ Russ ➡️ Joe
????: #ProBowlGames on ESPN/ABC
????: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/JVhBt1N1yD— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2025
Wilson also tossed a dart to Chase for a 45-yard score on the 50-yard field.
What a throw by @DangeRussWilson ????
????: #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/G3xtejhLRb
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 2, 2025
Wilson added a scoring hook-up with Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Moving on
Patrick Queen was on the AFC roster too. While he was there, the Steelers inside linebacker shared some comments about the departure of his position coach, Aaron Curry.
The former Steelers inside linebackers coach left to take a job with the New York Jets.
“Happy for him and excited for him,” Queen told “Steelers Now” during an interview in Orlando. “I texted him that it was the best decision for him right now, and I can understand that. … It definitely (stinks) to have a new linebackers coach coming in, but I’m pretty sure they’re going to bring in somebody good.”
Queen told the website that Curry taught him patience and leadership.
“How to be a leader,” Queen said of what he learned from Curry. “When situations aren’t ideal, just stay cool and stay calm, especially having to be the guy being the green dot, just being calm and keeping everyone else calm.”
Steelers President Art Rooney II has already inferred that both offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will be back next season.
Can you believe that?
It wasn’t just the Penguins making moves over the weekend. Some former Penguins were traded for a surprisingly impressive return.
On Saturday, the Dallas Stars acquired forward Mikael Granlund and defenseman Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks. In exchange, Dallas gave up its first-round pick and a conditional third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
That’s right. After scoring just one goal in 21 games as a Penguin before he was dealt to San Jose following the 2023 season, Granlund was just part of a swap for a first-round pick.
Go figure.
At 32 years old, Granlund has actually been having a good season for the Sharks. In 52 regular-season contests with San Jose before the deal, Granlund ranked first on the club in points (45) and assists (30). His 15 goals are third on the team.
In his first game with the Stars, Granlund tallied an assist as the team won over Columbus, 5-3, on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Ceci recorded 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 54 contests with the Sharks this season. He ranked first on the club in ice time with 1175:41.
He played one year in Pittsburgh back in 2020-21, racking up 17 points in 53 games.
Sunday split
The women’s basketball teams at Pitt and Duquesne both played Sunday.
The Panthers had a rough outing at Cal. They lost to the 19th-ranked Bears, 84-53. Marley Washenitz had a game-high 20 points for Pitt.
Cal (19-4, 7-3) had runs of 13-0 and 10-0 in the second quarter to lead 46-20 at the half. The Panthers are now 9-14 on the year and just 1-9 in ACC play.
As for the Dukes, they rolled 80-64 at St. Bonaventure. Chartiers Valley alum Megan McConnell had 17 points, nine rebounds and five steals.
And One!!!!#GoDukes | @megg_mcconnell4 pic.twitter.com/H1tD097E8b
— Duquesne Women's Basketball (@DuqWBB) February 2, 2025
The Dukes improved to 6-4 in the Atlantic 10. They are 15-6 overall.
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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