The Pittsburgh Steelers have been observed by their fans to follow an intriguing pattern in recent years. Specifically, the team’s head coach, Mike Tomlin, appears to be prone to sign siblings.
Today, the Pittsburgh Steelers released a video in which Coach Tomlin discusses the team’s tendency to recruit siblings and elaborates on why he deems it a sound strategy for achieving success.
Coach T prioritizes building a familial environment for his team
It’s a simple concept that resonates with many, as the football locker room has always embodied a familial brotherhood.
Coach Tomlin, recognizing the potential advantages of this dynamic, has sought to build upon it by exploring the possibility of bringing in siblings when it aligns with the team’s needs.
Tomlin’s approach revolves around embracing the mentality of a sibling who has witnessed their older brother’s journey to the NFL. He highlights how current Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt has been inspired to follow in the footsteps of his elder brother JJ Watt.
Coach Tomlin initially began implementing this notion when he recruited former Steelers fullback Derek Watt, who had been with the team since 2020 before becoming a free agent this off-season.
Coach Tomlin elucidates how observing brothers partake in an ordinary activity such as sharing breakfast together can amplify the sense of familial bonding for the entire team.
What better way to capture the brotherhood than to have real brothers?
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin
In 2022, when the Steelers rookie tight end Connor Heyward scored his first NFL touchdown, Coach Tomlin recalls how the team collectively rejoiced at the moment, including the elation of Cam Heyward witnessing his sibling’s achievement.
The Steelers continue to build on this philosophy by acquiring guard Nate Herbig and subsequently drafting his younger brother, edge rusher Nick Herbig, in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Although the concept of creating a family-like atmosphere within a football team is not novel, Coach Tomlin’s approach carries a more profound objective: to foster a sense of camaraderie and synergy that ultimately translates into on-field success. The emphasis is on excelling in the game of football and achieving victory as a united team.
To Coach Tomlin, success is cultivated through a combination of the environment family creates, the genetic makeup of siblings, and the strong mindsets of his players. In contrast to the drama often associated with his team’s locker room in years past by Pittsburgh media, he views this dynamic as a fertile breeding ground for achievement.
Coach Tomlin’s love for football is evident in his latest strategy for assembling a triumphant NFL roster. It’s a logical approach that instills excitement for the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.