First Call: Steely McBeam’s new commercial; Pressley Harvin III works out for Browns; Paul Skenes visits Steelers
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Friday’s “First Call” details Paul Skenes’ visit to Pittsburgh Steelers practice. There was a scary moment on Thursday Night Football. A former Steeler is getting checked out by the Cleveland Browns.
And a surprising Steeler is at the center of a new television ad campaign.
Skenes sees Steelers
Paul Skenes stopped by Steelers practice during an off day for his Pirates. The rookie pitcher took a photo with head coach Mike Tomlin.
Thanks to @Paul_Skenes for stopping by practice today. I have so much respect for this young man and his professional approach. Was great to finally meet him. pic.twitter.com/6n7nBGr4pP
— Mike Tomlin (@CoachTomlin) September 12, 2024
He also swapped jerseys with T.J. Watt.
Paul Skenes ???? T.J. Watt pic.twitter.com/MqzMpLRohI
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 12, 2024
Skenes is 10-2 with an ERA of 2.10. He has 151 strikeouts against 31 walks. As of now, his next potential start could be Monday in St. Louis. Skenes is listed second on the OddsShark.com Rookie of the Year oddsboard.
He is at +150 to win the award. San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill is a minus-175 favorite.
Unwelcomed memory
Tua Tagovailoa suffered an apparent concussion Thursday night and had to leave his team’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
Former Pitt Panther Damar Hamlin was involved in the hit that ended up injuring the Miami Dolphins quarterback. Tagovailoa was scrambling during third-quarter action when he lowered his head as Hamlin approached to make a tackle.
Tagovailoa stayed on the ground after the hit and showed some of the “fencing posture” movements often associated with concussions that we have seen from him before when he has suffered previous head injuries.
For Hamlin, that must’ve been an uncomfortable moment, given the near-death experience he had on the field during a primetime game Jan. 2, 2023.
“I was just trying to make a routine tackle, trying to get them off the field on fourth down,” Hamlin told Tim Graham of The Athletic.
Hamlin did nothing illegal on the play, and never even lowered his head. In fact, Tagovailoa initiated the contact.
Miami ended up losing the game 31-10. Skylar Thompson finished at QB for the Dolphins.
More sports
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• Inactivity takes shine off Steelers QB’s Russell Wilson’s impending return to Denver
• Football Footnotes: AFC North looks to rebound; WVU’s Marc Bulger recalls Backyard Brawls; ACC transfer QBs making impact
Pressley the punter
A former Steeler is getting a look from an AFC North foe. It’s punter Pressley Harvin III.
The Cleveland Browns worked out Harvin this week. That’s according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston who plucked that news off the NFL transaction sheet.
#Browns worked out punter Pressley Harvin today
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 12, 2024
It’s unlikely the Browns would sign Harvin soon, though. Current punter Corey Bojorquez kicked seven times during the club’s 33-17 defeat against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. He averaged an impressive 51.0 yards per attempt.
So this may just be a probing exercise by the Browns in case the need should arise for a punter down the road.
Steely’s story
A new Visa commercial aired during the Thursday night game between the Dolphins and Bills. A Steeler was the subject of the spot.
No, not T.J. Watt or Cam Heyward or Minkah Fitzpatrick. It was … Steely McBeam??!!
Yes, the commercial is a tongue-in-cheek “origin story” of sorts chronicling how Steely became the Steelers mascot.
The real McBeam made his debut in 2007. He was inspired by the old steelworker on a beam cartoon logo that the Steelers had in the 1960s.
As you can see, the character who plays “young Steely” is a little different looking from the Steelers’ mascot. This one appears to be more of a combination of Michael Myers from the “Halloween” franchise and a Cabbage Patch doll.