Pittsburg, PA
Jaromir Jagr's Jersey Retirement Speech | Pittsburgh Penguins
Thank you guys, thank you very much. (JAGR! JAGR! chants start).
I gotta say, what a weekend so far. It’s beautiful… so far. I had a practice with the team, I was pretty good, let me tell you. I was pretty good. I had a dinner with the boys, thank you guys. Today, all the highlights, videos, goals, even the hair… great memories.
I remember my first coach, Bob Johnson, always said today, it’s a great day for hockey. I’m going to use that, I’m going to change it a little bit. I’m going to say, it’s a great day for me!
To be here with you, hearing the cheers, I don’t even have to score. That’s beautiful. That never gets old. But I’m honored. I’m honored that Pittsburgh Penguins owners, Pittsburgh Penguins organization, and (Penguins President of Business Operations) Kevin Acklin have decided to retire my jersey, No. 68.
I believe the connection between me and Pittsburgh started a long time ago. I always believe in God, and I always believe in a higher power, and I always believed whatever you wish for is gonna happen. When I was young, I was watching the TV, and there was one guy totally dominating the game, and he was better than the rest of them. Since that game, he became my idol. I wanted to be like him. I make a wish. I wish one day, we play together. Yes, it was Mario Lemieux. And it happened, 1990. I got drafted by Pittsburgh Penguins, thanks to Craig Patrick and Scotty Bowman, all the scouts. They put a great team together, all the superstars, all the legends. We were playing such great hockey, and at the end of the year, we won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. It was probably the greatest thing to happen to me.
I would like to say thanks to Pittsburgh Penguins organization, they draft me. Maybe recognize my talent, give me a chance and opportunity to play the great game of hockey here in the NHL for such a long time. Thank you, Pittsburgh Penguins. A big thanks go to you guys, all of you (points to fans). The fans. The fans in Pittsburgh, people in Pittsburgh… since my first day when I got drafted here until the last day I got traded (playful boos and laughs)… it happened, it happened, yep. I was 18 years old and I couldn’t speak English, so it was very tough for me. But you guys make it a lot more easy for me, and I really appreciate that.
The whole 11 years I’ve been here, it was amazing. I’m probably gonna say, it was probably the best years of my life. So, thank you for that. Thanks to you, I’m proud and happy to say that Pittsburgh Penguins is my second home. Thank you.
Look at those guys here. Guys, I wouldn’t be standing… or even other side, management, coaches… I wouldn’t be standing here right now. I know that, you guys know that. There’s no chance. Hockey’s a team game, and without the help, you have no chance to accomplish anything, absolutely anything. I learned so much from you guys, maybe you don’t even realize it. I learned how to handle the losses, I learned how to stay humble when we win, I learned how to work hard. But the most important thing what I learn is, if you want to win something, you want to play together, you have to play together. That’s what we did, and that’s why we won. Thank you.
I don’t know if we have time or not, but it’s my day, so I should make it as long as I want (crowd laughs, roars, and claps). You guys showed me the respect, to come here and be here with me. I just want to show the respect back. I was thinking, ‘how am I going to do it.’ I just want to read all the names. I want to say thank you, and I’m going to start with thank you Scotty Bowman, Eddie Johnston, Craig Patrick.
And the players. I already mentioned Mario. Thank you, Mario. Thank you Ron Francis, we probably played together more than anybody else. You were my centerman, you were always there for me when I need it. Joey Mullen, Phil Bourque. Bourquie, thank you for everything you showed me. You showed me Pittsburgh, you showed me all the bars, you were party animal, let me tell you! So is you, Kevin Stevens! Ulf Samuelsson, thank you Ulfie. Ulfie asked me to say something nice about him yesterday. I was thinking all night, and I couldn’t think of anything. I couldn’t. I’m just kidding. Ulfie, you are a great guy. Thanks, man, for everything. And now we have the Czech connection, Jiri Slegr, Jiri Hrdina, Robert Lang, thank you guys. Paul Stanton, we started the same year, 1990. Peter Taglianetti, Gord Roberts, Troy Loney, my favorite left wing, I loved to play with Troy. I loved to play with Troy, you know why? He never wanted the puck. He just give it to me all the time.
Kenny Wregget, Jay Caufield, Randy Hillier, Randy Callahan, Grant Jennings, Jock Callander. And the young guys: Matt Barnaby, what a beauty. What a beauty. Mike Needham, Ty Wright, Frankie Leroux, and Max Talbot. I never played with him here, but I know he’s your favorite. I played with him in Philly, what a great guy. I want to say a few names. They couldn’t come here and it’s pretty sad for me because I would love to see them. My first roommate, Bryan Trottier –what a legend, what a great player. Paul Coffey, thanks Paul. He showed me how to work hard, and I really appreciate it. I had to ride the bike so many times with him. Every day. I didn’t like it, but now I really appreciate it. Tommy B, Tommy Barrasso… Larry Murphy… Rick Tocchet… my great friend Marty Straka, Mark Recchi, Bob Errey, Frankie Pietrangelo. Now, I gotta say the last name – he’s not a player, he’s not a coach, he’s not a manager. But he was, for me, the voice of Pittsburgh Penguins: Mike Lange. I was talking to him yesterday. Thank you all, guys.
I want to say thanks to Dominika, my girlfriend. She’s too young to remember I played in Pittsburgh (extended laughs and cheers). But I told her all the stories, so don’t worry about it. I want to say thanks to all the friends from here from Czech, all the coaches that helped me a lot to play hockey. Thank you guys.
The last thanks, and probably the biggest thanks, gotta go to my parents. (Hugs his mom) I gotta say thanks to my dad, he passed away last year, but I know he’s watching. He’s watching from heaven, thank you Dad. He never played hockey, but everything he said, it was right. It was right on. Thank you, thank you for everything. My mom, she move from Czech when I was 19 to U.S., she was here for 10 years. I want to say thank you for everything you did for me, I really appreciate it. Good night, enjoy the game, and I love you all. Thank you guys, everybody.
Michelle Crechiolo and Carson Gates transcribed this text.
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers insider just poured gasoline on the Aaron Rodgers fire following latest report of what he was doing in Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be in Pittsburgh over the weekend, with the thought that a deal would get done. One Steelers insider backs the report, but adds details that only compound a messy situation.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
At this point, the events of the past two seasons between Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers could probably be a book or movie. Everything from walks on the beach, to him throwing with DK Metcalf before signing, to someone capturing him driving a rental car into Pittsburgh has made waves.
This offseason was supposed to be different, and a decision from Rodgers was supposed to come much earlier. However, the Steelers remain in a holding pattern, and one that many believed would end over the weekend, after it was reported that Rodgers would be in town to sign a contract. Well, that seems to be true, but like much of this saga over the past two years, there seems to be a holdup.
Aaron Rodgers 2025 stats
- 3.4 TD to INT ratio.
- 3,322 passing yards.
- 65.7% completion percentage.
Aaron Rodgers visited Pittsburgh, but not the Steelers over the weekend
“Aaron Rodgers has been in town for a couple days, but the Steelers have not met with him yet and instead have been talking with his agent. Rodgers has stayed away from the team’s South Side facility while the three-day rookie minicamp has been going on.” – Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The news from Dulac comes on the heels of the report from 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that Rodgers would be visiting the Steelers over the weekend, with the intention to sign his deal.
That report was backed up nationally by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, but some in Steelers media (Mark Kaboly) said that if Rodgers was going to be in town, that was news to the team.
Omar Khan said as much during a radio hit after the reports surfaced, saying that he didn’t know where Rodgers was, but that talks remained fluid. Of course, general managers, including Omar Khan, have been known to bend the truth, which seems to lie somewhere in the middle here.
The bottom line with Aaron Rodgers
It’s obvious to me that the Steelers and Rodgers are held up over money. I know that it was said to not be the case, but you don’t intentionally avoid meeting with a team and have your agent talk to them, just days after they use a tender that determines your 2026 salary, if you’re just going to sign.
I would be surprised if Rodgers doesn’t sign at this point, but it doesn’t change the monetary situation that needs to be worked out here.
Kennywood honored two longtime employees Saturday who together have worked at the park for a combined 100 years.
Larry Russ and Bobby Trygar started working at Kennywood in 1976.
Russ began his Kennywood career as a games employee, working at the Big Apple dart game. In 1980, Russ applied to the security team and has held positions there ever since, including roles as a corporal, lieutenant, chief, and captain, according to a press release provided by the park.
Trygar began his time at Kennywood by working in the Parkside Café. Since he joined Kennywood, he has helped to maintain some of the park’s most iconic attractions, including the Racer, Log Jammer, and Merry Go Round.
“This is something you dream about. It’s so amazing,” Trygar said. “One of the best things when I worked out here was when I met my wife on the Racer. I was the mechanic. It’s just a great feeling to come here every day, see smiles on people’s faces, it’s tremendous. It gives you that extra boost and happiness.”
“I was planning on going into the mill, like everyone else was during my era,” Russ said. “Of course, the mill shut down. My father told me, ‘You don’t want to [work at the mill]. This place isn’t going to be here that much longer,’ and he was right, so I stuck it out here. I got a full-time position in 1980, and the rest is history.”
The park also dedicated two benches in their honor.
The new policy requiring anyone under 18 to be accompanied by someone over 21 in Market Square may not be as firm as some first thought.
KDKA observed unaccompanied kids in and around the square in Pittsburgh on Saturday evening, but in very small numbers, especially compared to the hundreds of kids who gathered as recently as during the NFL draft last month. Many of the kids were walking through the square or to restaurants like Chipotle.
It was the kids who lingered on Saturday evening who were approached by either youth outreach teams, private security or officers.
Von Madden — the founder of AIM, a youth outreach group — said it’s when kids start gathering in large numbers that they’ll be asked to leave.
“I don’t think they are going to be kicked out of the space for buying food or walking by,” Madden said. “The policy was so they’re allowed to hang out, but if they’re causing disruption, they were asked to move.”
Outreach workers within the square on Saturday evening said they’ve been approaching kids to make sure they are aware of the rules, but aren’t forcing them to leave. Some workers suggested alternative places they could go, as they work to form relationships with the kids
Madden, who was not at the square on Saturday, said in theory, enforcement works by private security engaging kids first, and then if that doesn’t work, outreach staff comes over. Only as a last resort are police officers brought in.
KDKA watched as a group of about 15 to 20 kids formed along Market Street steps away from a police SUV on Saturday evening. A member of the private security approached the kids first, pointing toward the exit of the square. Once more kids gathered, a group of five to 10 officers walked over, and the group dispersed toward Liberty Avenue.
A group of teenagers near Chipotle told KDKA that officers told them they had to leave if they weren’t actually going to the restaurant. Madden said the policy, which is in effect from Thursday to Sunday from 3 p.m to midnight, has worked well this week.
“It was phenomenal. Thursday was great,” Madden said. “The kids came, a lot of kids. They were absolutely excited about everything going on.”
Thursday was the first night for the temporary roller rink in Market Square, and a rainy Friday kept many people away. People enjoying their Saturday evening in the square gave mixed reviews about the policy.
“I think it’s definitely necessary,” Cristina from Butler told KDKA. “It keeps the community safe, and it allows adults and parents to know that their kids are safe as well, and just a more controlled environment.”
Danielle Graham from Robinson said she’d been observing kids interacting with police and believes kids aren’t welcome in Market Square, even if they are not being disruptive. She said there was a discrepancy in what private security and officers knew about the rule, adding that police asked her if the child she was chaperoning was her legal guardian.
She said she offered to chaperone kids to allow them to enjoy the square and so she could observe what was going on.
“There’s no clear understanding from the people that are supposedly enforcing it,” Robinson said. “You just put more vulnerable kids in front of law enforcement, things can go wrong.”
Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Barb Warwick shared her own criticism of the policy during a meeting last week.
“Not only does this feel highly unwelcoming to families with teens, it also seems questionable in terms even of enforcement,” Warwick said. “I don’t know that there’ll be like a private security, what are we checking IDs like, you know? How is this working? My understanding is it’s on an event permit.”
KDKA-TV did not observe any IDs being checked on Saturday and saw at most 12 officers in the square at once, along with the private security.
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