Connect with us

Pittsburg, PA

Zach Frazier explains wearing No. 54 with Pittsburgh Steelers

Published

on

Zach Frazier explains wearing No. 54 with Pittsburgh Steelers


Zach Frazier can’t help his toughness. It’s embedded in his soul. The Steelers rookie loved Pittsburgh’s physical style of play when he was growing up in West Virginia. Plus, he always wears the number 54 in honor of another player known for his tenacity.

But yikes. The Steelers newest offensive lineman wears his number because of a Dallas Cowboy. He explained that his parents were big fans of the Miami Dolphins. And they loved long-time Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas. He’s the Texas Tech star who finished his career back home in Texas with the Cowboys. Last August, former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson presented Thomas for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The number, Frazier told the Steelers web site has “always been special to me.”

Go figure. Zach Frazier, the Steelers second-round draft pick, wears No. 54 because his parents loved Zach Thomas, a former Dallas Cowboy, who also starred for the Dolphins. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh selected Frazier with the 51st pick of the second round of the NFL Draft last month. The former West Virginia Mountaineer probably is everything a coach wants from an offensive lineman. He’s talented, as evidenced by his All-America accolades. And he’s smart. Frazier also was an academic All-American with a 3.88 GPA while majoring in sports management.

Advertisement

Plus, he’s also athletic. Frazier excelled in both football and wrestling in high school back home in Fairmont, WV. In fact, he was a four-time state champion in wrestling.

“You know, you go straight from football season, to wrestling season, to baseball,” Frazier said. “It was just a fun time to be a kid and play all these sports and really have a good time.”

The Steelers wanted to draft a center in the first round with the 20th pick. Instead, they opted for Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, who Pittsburgh coaches didn’t expect to be available that late in the first round. Perhaps they found their future long-time starter with pick No. 51.

And speaking of the draft, Frazier’s time with the Steelers got off to a bad start. Literally. When Mike Tomlin called Frazier to welcome the center to the team, Frazier said he knew, immediately, it was Pittsburgh on the phone. He recognized the area code.

However, once he answered “I could hear them, they couldn’t hear me, so I ran upstairs,” he said.

Advertisement

But since then, he’s been studying the playbook. He might’ve landed in the most perfect place for his talents. Marc Ross, an analyst for NFL.com, recently listed the rookies who ended up in the best spot. Ross described Frazier as a “brawler who embodies everything this franchise is about. His experience and toughness will allow him to step in immediately as the pivot of an overhauled unit with a new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.”



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pittsburg, PA

Ferris wheel to support veterans spinning Wednesday through Sunday on Pittsburgh’s North Shore

Published

on

Ferris wheel to support veterans spinning Wednesday through Sunday on Pittsburgh’s North Shore


Pittsburgh officials are partnering with a nonprofit to provide a unique way to thank veterans for their service while getting a grand look at the Steel City.

A 90-foot Ferris wheel dubbed the Salute to Service Wheel will be spinning on the North Shore from Wednesday through Sunday.

It’s provided by Piatt Companies and Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty with half of ticket sale proceeds going to Veterans Leadership Program.

First launched in 1982, VLP helps veterans navigate life’s transitions. Efforts include wellness services, housing, career development and various support programs.

Advertisement

Mayor Corey O’Connor, parks and recreation director Eric Sloan, Piatt Companies CEO Lucas Piatt and representatives from the Veterans Leadership Program are expected to host a grand opening celebration Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. at North Shore Drive and Art Rooney Avenue and take the first rides.

It is part of Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration.

Tickets are on sale now and cost $11.20, including a $1.20 service fee. They can be found at pittsburghpa.gov.

Bookings are in hour intervals from 2-9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and from 2-8 p.m. Sunday.

Riders smaller than 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh area’s low jobless rate beats state, U.S. rates

Published

on

Pittsburgh area’s low jobless rate beats state, U.S. rates






Source link

Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

Trash pickup schedules adjusted in Pittsburgh-area communities due to impending heat wave

Published

on

Trash pickup schedules adjusted in Pittsburgh-area communities due to impending heat wave


Several communities in the Pittsburgh area have adjusted their trash pickup times as the region is bracing for a heat wave with temperatures and heat indexes expected to be near 100 degrees this week. 

The hottest temperatures of 2026 are expected this week and by Tuesday afternoon, temperatures are anticipated to reach into the 90s. This, coupled with extremely high humidity levels, means the heat index — also known as the “feels like” temperature — will flirt with triple digits.

In Mt. Lebanon, trash and recycling pickup routes will begin earlier than normal to help keep workers safe amid the extreme heat.

“All trash and recycling should be placed at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” a notice posted on municipality’s Facebook page said.   

Advertisement

Shaler Township said that it received an update from County Hauling that collection crews will begin their routes earlier than normal this week as well. 

“Please place all trash and recycling at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day,” the township said. 

In Robinson Township, trash collection will begin at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, one hour earlier than normal. 

People are being asked to have their trash and recycling at the curb at least one hour prior to their normal pickup time. 

Pleasant Hills Borough said it had adjusted its trash pickup schedule for earlier in the day on Friday to “help reduce employee exposure to hazardous temperatures.”

Advertisement

“This temporary adjustment is being made in the interest of employee health and safety,” the borough said. “We kindly ask that you help notify your residents that all trash and/or recycling should be placed at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day, as collection times may occur earlier than usual.”

In Brentwood Borough, Noble Environmental will begin earlier collection on pickup routes as well.

People are being asked to place their trash and recycling at the curb the night before their scheduled collection day.

The borough added that collection days are not changing, only the start time of the pickup routes.

“Thank you for your cooperation as crews work safely during this week’s heat wave,” the borough said.

Advertisement

The Library Volunteer Fire Company said that trash pickup in South Park Township is being moved earlier on Thursday.

“We kindly ask Township residents to place trash and recycling at the curb the night before Thursday, July 2nd pickup, as collection times may occur earlier than usual,” the notice said. 



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending