April 18, 2024 • 18 mins
From St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin, Michael is joined by former Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham and Steelers former punter Jordan Berry after the Steelers hosted their first-ever American football Kicking Clinic on the island of Ireland. The event took place at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin and was in collaboration with Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking.
Over 25 aspiring Irish kickers and punters across various age ranges were in attendance at the clinic, where they received real time coaching and instruction from the Steelers alumni. Among the participants were Monaghan’s Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson and Darragh Leader who all participated in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program earlier this year.
Jimmy also reports from the Sport Ireland Campus, where he chats with Steelers Director of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Kicking Clinic is the latest event in a series of activities that the NFL team have hosted on the island of Ireland since being granted the rights to expand their brand and activities for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as part of the NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program. The NFL’s Global Markets Program grants NFL clubs access to international markets to expand and raise further awareness of the game through activities such as fan and youth events, along with corporate sponsorship and merchandise sales. The Pittsburgh Steelers have previously hosted fan and football educational events, including a youth football skills clinic and a first of its kind, sold-out Fan Watch Party at Croke Park in Dublin last November. The Kicking Clinic marks their first Irish event in 2024, with further upcoming events scheduled for this year across the island.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hey folks, a warm welcome to the Irish Theaters podcast.
The NFL Draft is next week. Michael McQuaid here with
a special edition of the podcast. We're going to have
some snippets from Jimmy English who was at the Steelers
Kicking Clinic in Dublin. Delighted to be joined by two
guys if used to play for the Staters. We've got
Sean Sweezen and Jordan Barry. Guys. First off, falta, as
(00:26):
we said, welcome to Ireland. How are we doing good?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yeah, fantastic, unbelievable experience and just for full disclosure, I'm
having a Guinness as we speak.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Well, look, it's great to have you here and great
to see the continued commitment from the Staters to the
island of Ireland. And that really was led bear this
week in a good way with the kick with the
Kicking Clinic, which we'll talk about in a few moments
before we do that. Starting with yourself, Sean, have you
any ties to the island of Ireland? Have you ever
been here before? Any family relations.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Or first go out being in Ireland? And what an
unbelievable experience.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
It's great. Hasn't met every expectations of.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Our everything, everything, and you just are a cherry on top.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Fank Smithy, Jordan, what do you recommit first time here?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yes, this is my first time here. Probably got a
few distant relatives that were Irish, grew up playing Australian football,
which against very similar Irish football. But other than that, yeah,
it's been great.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
I love it. And we'll talk about the clinic, which
actually took place today at the time we're recording it
in a little second. I believe you guys got in Jordan.
I believe you get in. A couple of days earlier,
you went to Crook Park for the first time. How
did you find that stadium?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, now it's a really cool stadium. Definitely run me
a lot of the mcg back in Australia, just so
those big towering stands, you know, it's pit eighty something
thousand in there. Yeah, it's also first time watching Irish
football in person, so it's really exciting to see that
guys put on a good game. First half it's pretty good,
but yeah, Dublin run away with it in the second,
so that's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
These thattmosphere dolls get even better in the Common summer months.
Bit like Ozzie Rules in that sense, it gets bigger
and bigger and bigger each week. Sean rock Rovers and Leinster.
Sean and I have to say, I was looking on
my phone and I've seen the Steelers art in the
count has just been getting busier and busier. How did
you find going there and just meeting the guys. I've
seen you Gothotten dif few players as well.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
The beauty of sports is no matter the country you're in,
those that have success, the culture is there and that
was very apparent in both clubs. They were very welcoming.
I'd like to try to convert some of those boys
to kick a football. I think they could do it.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Awesome, awesome, Well, there was a youth clinic today. At
the time of recording, I was that even better. A
youth clinic took place this week with the Pittsburgh Steters,
and you know, twenty five kids from around the Ireland
took part along with some of the ipp players on
different athletes. There was kickoffs outdoors and also field goals
and sudden death indoors. We've seen guys like Ry Began,
(02:58):
Mark Jackson, Darr Leader take part and the Staters also
shipped over a number of youth saide footballs and eighteen
K balls used by NFL players at the Sport Ireland
campus and Jordan, first off, that Sport Island campus is
really synonymous with sport in this island. How did you
find that and how did you find the whole experience
at the kicking clinic for the Steelers.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yeah, it's an absolutely fantastic facility that we got to
use today. Yeah, it worked out really well for us.
Pretty windy though early on and so I made it
tough for the guys out there punning and kicking off.
But yeah, that grass was absolutely fantastic. And then be
able to go inside for the field goals and work
with the young kids. It was absolutely phenomenal facility.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Sean, you told me just before we hit the record
in the spot and just about how much ideolicus meant
to you can you tell people listening to this podcast,
but how spacial it was because to see young people,
kids and after lease as well come together for something
like this on the Island of Ireland, I think is
pretty special.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
There's real value in and I enjoy working with professional
level athletes, but the reality is we're the mad is
that the power of sport is within our youth and
the way that we can unite and connect and grow
the love of a game and unite communities and haveing
(04:12):
those opportunities. Whether I'm back in Canada or the United
States and now in Ireland with a group of young lads,
I think I said that correct. You did from throughout
the country come together, unite within an hour and run
team cheers together and help teach them the game and
(04:35):
put a smile on their face. I showed you that
picture of that group as we did one two tree
a breakdown of the Steelers, and like that, that is
a moment, like genuinely that I'll probably never forget. I
hope I'll never forget. Like that's real and it's very tangible.
In moments like that oftentimes are very hard to create
(04:57):
without sport, you know. And being here now on behalf
of the Pittsburgh Steelers and be able to bring that
to some of the youth from the country, it was
a very special moment.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
For people that are not aware. Sean, you have a
Canadian background, Jordan, You've an Australian background. I'd love to
hear of this from the Buffy is how impressed. Were
you with the talent at both the kicking and ponting
musician in Ireland because it's dominated headlines here over the
last few weeks.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Yeah, the guys have got an absolutely the phenomenal base
to start working with. Obviously, the transition into American FOOTBA
there's gonna be work to do, but from a starting
point for some of these guys, you know, absolutely top level,
really strong legs, they able to make great contact with
the ball, great athletes. Yeah, very impressive to see. You know,
some of these guys coming out and wanted to make
that transition across You know, it's going to take time
(05:44):
to really hone it in and become one of the
best in the world to get one of those NFL jobs,
but yeah, they've definitely got the potential to really make
it happen.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
We were talking off of off Era a few moments,
like a little bite high similar Assie Rules is to
the GEA. Did you find it from sort of watching
it in quil Park on some there, but then also
seeing the guys like Rory Bag and Mark Jackson goalkeepers
in their sport with that whole transition to the NFL,
it is it's a little similar to Ozzie Reels and
(06:12):
that sounds, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Yeah, So the position that these guys are in, it
is very similar position I was in when I was
first trying to make the transition across into college football.
You know, they've got to make that adjustment from the
swing pattern they've got using an Irish football or for me,
an Australian ball, and then really narrow it down, keep
it short and in tight because in American fole you
don't have the space to run with the ball. You
(06:34):
can't take five, six, seven steps when you get a puntet,
so you got to keep it all nice and tired
on two steps. So watching these guys make that transition,
I was yeah, very yeah, similar to what I did,
and it's pretty neat. Growing up in Australia, I had
dreams of playing professional Australian football. Did that right through
high school. It did my best, but as I was
getting through to the end of high school, realized that
wasn't going to be for me. And that's when I
(06:55):
started researching where the options are out there, whether it
was you know, just regular degrees college or trying to
find out options for sport. And that's when I came
across American football and all the opportunities that it provides
through college football. So you know, when you're in high
school and you reading about getting all your school paid for,
accommodation paid for, and food. So chased after the dream
and it was lucky enough to get a spot at
(07:16):
Eastern Kentucky and made that transition across from Australian football
and American and from there just keep working and pushing
along and eventually managed to get that opportunity with Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
It's been great to see and long me I continue
and longly odd people of players from Australia through the
same I've seen it in multiple had lays this week,
so hopefully I continues as well. As Sean, you've you've
you've a really interested in background. Obviously been from Canada,
but you had a different men's sport in hockey. Can
you tell us a bit about your background as well
and just how you got into football.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Sure, and it was fun to be able to share
with the guys today that not every journey has to
be clear and definitive. I grew up in Canada. I
grew up as a hockey player and he know you
if you can kick, you can kick, and so to
hear some of the pop on on some of the
(08:07):
balls today from the guys, that's real And it doesn't
matter what sports you grew up in. And now the
transition in the the challenge is can they continue to
refine their skill set to play at the very highest
level to be one I'm thirty two, you know that
is that is the challenge that's real for Irish and
(08:30):
American Canadian athletes alike, you know, but the opportunity is there,
and Jordan and I have you know, fortunately we've been
able to do it and being able to come over
here and connect and hopefully in some small way have
have helped them on their journey. It's special and it's
(08:54):
exciting and I'm excited for for those guys, and in
particular some of them are very really displayed some high
level talent and it'll be interesting to see where their
journey takes them.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
How easy show did you find that the transition from
hockey to football.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Entirely different sports, but a lot of similarities when it
comes to team play and the reliance pron one another
to achieve a common goal. You know, I think that
is transfers amongst all all sports, and so the transition.
The unique part is kicking is very absolute, and it
(09:33):
is very on an island, and there's nowhere to hide
there and you're certainly reliant, extremely reliant. You can't do
it without the offensive and we went through that with
the youth today. We set up an offensive line and
the ends in the wings, in the holder, and you
can't do it alone. But the reality is when it
(09:54):
comes off your foot, it is your responsibility and there's
a very absolute nature there that is not the right
fit for everyone. And that's where we talk about execution
under pressure, and we put the players, the older ones
today through some of those moments so they could tried
to help them, and then we chatted more about the
(10:16):
mindset of what can help to separate them from other
talented legs.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's not your first time outside of North America. You
played in the game in Wembley in twenty thirteen. How
did you find that. Obviously, Wembley is a historic stadium
and we'll talk in a bit about maybe Ireland topping
in the future, but to plan London is a unique experience,
especially in those days, because I believe the game was
at six o'clock in the even time and the one
o'clock eastern wind. We don't really see that anymore. How
did you find we.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Lost the game? But outside of that, I mean, you know,
to jump back to where there's great value is the
experience and opportunity from a player's perspective as well. It
was fantastic to have that opportunity to do that. And
the fan base it's real, it's not fake, it's it
(11:05):
is there. And to be able to bring our game
really throughout the world is fantastic, you know. And I
had some nice discussions with with with some of the
kickers today and people express, you know, how much they
would enjoy to see a Steelers football game in Ireland
(11:25):
and I would too.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Well Mark that Dome, I kind of went well that
with all that on the weis second, I'm not sure
if you've got the chance, Jordan to play abroad for
the Staters, but being a member of Theaters organization with
all the comes of that, how fun was it to
be a part of that organization? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (11:43):
No, I absolutely love my time in Pittsburgh. We didn't
play any international games when I was there, but yeah,
definitely an absolutely really taught knit community within Pittsburgh, not
just from the fan dice, but within the building, whether
it's the coaches, the support stuff, the players, everyone's you know, yeah,
basically a family. Likes taking touch with most of the
guys that I was started with when I was there,
maybe now that I'm outside the building. So you know,
(12:05):
I had a great time in Pittsburgh and loved it.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
It's great to see like you guys be here because
we've seen guys like s Antonio Holmes, Alan Fanaka come
over here for the meetup last year, and it just
shows you, even if you're not playing anymore, there's still
so many opportunities, which is awesome to see not just
here but around the world in Mexico and in Germany
as well, which was recently awarded at the Global Market
Scheme for the Steelers. And one thing that's for me
(12:29):
and to see him for both of you guys, is
Mike Tomlin. He's still there. What's he like to work with?
And you know how much did he impact the direction
of your career in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Yeah, you know, he was really good to me a
lot of my career to him, He's just very personal,
really gets to know the players, really like that helps
find out what makes each guy tick and helps push
him along. I was with one other team and I
had a couple of different coaches while I was there,
and just seeing those different coaching styles from people compared
to how Mike does it, it's yeah, makes it very
(13:02):
noticeable how how well of a job he does in
finding out what makes each guy on the roster of tick.
It's not just you know, a couple of start players
that he talks so, it's not just you know, the
quarterback or you know the main receiver that he wants
to hang out with, it's every single person in the building.
He'll He'll talk to the equipment guys, He'll talk to
the trainers and make sure that everyone's fully brought into
the process and doing it when they can to make
sure that the team's successful.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Even from the outside. Coach tomlin Sean seems like not
only an interesting character, but a motivator in the locker room.
What was it like when you're her? Coach?
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Tomlin is a is a favorite of mine. The relationship
I have a great deal of respect for and still
to this day, would do anything for him. Tremendous leader, motivator,
and he's very absolute and everything he does. I love
that leadership style.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
You know, I.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Would be fun to be in a locker room with
him again.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Jordan the theaters last player in Ireland in nineteen ninety seven,
again the Bears and those days that it wasn't a
regular season game, there was one. I think the first
one wasn't two. They the world has changed since then.
But for this franchise, it obviously is a lot different
than the sense of the Rooney family. You know, has
ties to this island and they're very, very proud of
(14:16):
the Ruts. As we heard mister Rooney on the last
podcast talk about. For you, from what you've seen over
the last few days, how perfect or how exciting would
it be to see Dublin get an NFL game.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Yeah, it would be absolutely awesome for this city. Hopefully
it is Pittsburgh at some point. Obviously, as you mentioned,
with the ties to the island, Yeah, there's a lot
of good fans like as you know, we had the
camp today with all the young kids. These guys were
you know, twelve thirteen and they had a pretty deep
knowledge of football. I'm trying to stump them with a
few rules questions and every single kid was all over it.
So yeah, with that sort of following and passion from
(14:49):
the young kids right through the adults, it'll be Yeah,
it'd be an absolutely awesome event if they managed to
get one down the road.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Well, do you be charming in the bit to get
on that plane? Sean?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
The Rooney family is as real and genuine as I've
ever been around. And I see that from a Pittsburgh perspective,
and now I had the opportunity to see it here
actually in person in Ireland. And the strength of their
name and their commitment to Ireland and locally back home,
(15:23):
their commitment to Pittsburgh, you can't fake that for that
many years. And I'm very grateful and humbled to have
been a part of the Steelers organization and to be
here in Ireland in this moment. And they are massive
supporter of not just the Pittsburgh Steelers, but certainly the
(15:44):
Rooney family. Fantastic, fantastic family.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Just finally, any plans over the next few days, I'm
sure it doesn't not be the first and last time
in Ireland.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
I would love to bring my wife and girls back
to Ireland, and my wife is a Crowley and has
has roots in Ireland. We would love to bring the
girls back. I know they would love it as I do.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Mister Don Rooney went to the epic Immigration Museum which
is in the city center and seeing all of his heritage,
so I'm sure you could do that and it would
be awesome to see. This will be your last time here,
Jordan Muller, I don't think so.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Now.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I'd like to come back at some point. Yeah, We've
got a couple of young kids, so I'm gonna have
to wipe for them to here a little bit old
before you try to drag a runner run into national trip.
But yeah, definitely plan on coming back at some point.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
We're gonna hear a couple of sound bites from Jimmy
on the podcast, who was at the event today at
the National Sports Center. Here's Jimmy.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Hey guys, it's Jimmy here from the Irish Steelers podcast.
I had a chance to head to the Steelers Kicking
Jenny this week where I spoke to a director of
Business Development Strategy, Dan Rooney about the importance of the
Steelers building a relationship with the GAA.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
We just have a ton of respect for the GAA
and seeing how they operate on uh you know, you
know a level of just you know, sporting culture and
and really how how this country, uh in the Island
feels about about the GAA where we're learning from them
and you know we're we're also providing our insights from
from the States back back to their end.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
There's a big weekend coming up next week, game with
it with the draft.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
What are your top priorities there.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Finding the best players available to help the Steelers you know,
have a have a winning field on the season next year.
So hard, hard at work on that end.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
There's been a lot of great work going on, not
just with the Steelers in the last year. Domesticly there's
so much the game is growing year on year. But
to have both of you guys here today what you
just talked about there and now, but you know, going
through different parts of them, I think that's invaluable and
I think that's going to pay off dividends. Like you
were saying as well, Jordan, with just the kids, you know,
you have to almost test them because they're all just
(17:52):
getting not that much better. I guess all I can
say Lodds is, you know, thank you both very very much. Girl.
Miamium maggot Sean Jordan, You're welcome back here anytime, hopefully
for a game at some point in the future. Enjoy
the next three days in Ireland. How much hot you soon?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
We would love it. Hope you see in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Thanks for having us, Thank you, Matte And I don't
know why I said, mate, that's that's the Ausy in me. Folks. Obviously,
the draft coming up over the next week, we're hoping
to have a little special beforehand. For now, please do
subscribe and follow the Irish Hitters podcast. I'm much talk
to you soon. As long a fun
Hey folks, a warm welcome to the Irish Theaters podcast.
The NFL Draft is next week. Michael McQuaid here with
a special edition of the podcast. We're going to have
some snippets from Jimmy English who was at the Steelers
Kicking Clinic in Dublin. Delighted to be joined by two
guys if used to play for the Staters. We've got
Sean Sweezen and Jordan Barry. Guys. First off, falta, as
(00:26):
we said, welcome to Ireland. How are we doing good?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yeah, fantastic, unbelievable experience and just for full disclosure, I'm
having a Guinness as we speak.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Well, look, it's great to have you here and great
to see the continued commitment from the Staters to the
island of Ireland. And that really was led bear this
week in a good way with the kick with the
Kicking Clinic, which we'll talk about in a few moments
before we do that. Starting with yourself, Sean, have you
any ties to the island of Ireland? Have you ever
been here before? Any family relations.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Or first go out being in Ireland? And what an
unbelievable experience.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
It's great. Hasn't met every expectations of.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Our everything, everything, and you just are a cherry on top.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Fank Smithy, Jordan, what do you recommit first time here?
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Yes, this is my first time here. Probably got a
few distant relatives that were Irish, grew up playing Australian football,
which against very similar Irish football. But other than that, yeah,
it's been great.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
I love it. And we'll talk about the clinic, which
actually took place today at the time we're recording it
in a little second. I believe you guys got in Jordan.
I believe you get in. A couple of days earlier,
you went to Crook Park for the first time. How
did you find that stadium?
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, now it's a really cool stadium. Definitely run me
a lot of the mcg back in Australia, just so
those big towering stands, you know, it's pit eighty something
thousand in there. Yeah, it's also first time watching Irish
football in person, so it's really exciting to see that
guys put on a good game. First half it's pretty good,
but yeah, Dublin run away with it in the second,
so that's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
These thattmosphere dolls get even better in the Common summer months.
Bit like Ozzie Rules in that sense, it gets bigger
and bigger and bigger each week. Sean rock Rovers and Leinster.
Sean and I have to say, I was looking on
my phone and I've seen the Steelers art in the
count has just been getting busier and busier. How did
you find going there and just meeting the guys. I've
seen you Gothotten dif few players as well.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
The beauty of sports is no matter the country you're in,
those that have success, the culture is there and that
was very apparent in both clubs. They were very welcoming.
I'd like to try to convert some of those boys
to kick a football. I think they could do it.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Awesome, awesome, Well, there was a youth clinic today. At
the time of recording, I was that even better. A
youth clinic took place this week with the Pittsburgh Steters,
and you know, twenty five kids from around the Ireland
took part along with some of the ipp players on
different athletes. There was kickoffs outdoors and also field goals
and sudden death indoors. We've seen guys like Ry Began,
(02:58):
Mark Jackson, Darr Leader take part and the Staters also
shipped over a number of youth saide footballs and eighteen
K balls used by NFL players at the Sport Ireland
campus and Jordan, first off, that Sport Island campus is
really synonymous with sport in this island. How did you
find that and how did you find the whole experience
at the kicking clinic for the Steelers.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Yeah, it's an absolutely fantastic facility that we got to
use today. Yeah, it worked out really well for us.
Pretty windy though early on and so I made it
tough for the guys out there punning and kicking off.
But yeah, that grass was absolutely fantastic. And then be
able to go inside for the field goals and work
with the young kids. It was absolutely phenomenal facility.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Sean, you told me just before we hit the record
in the spot and just about how much ideolicus meant
to you can you tell people listening to this podcast,
but how spacial it was because to see young people,
kids and after lease as well come together for something
like this on the Island of Ireland, I think is
pretty special.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
There's real value in and I enjoy working with professional
level athletes, but the reality is we're the mad is
that the power of sport is within our youth and
the way that we can unite and connect and grow
the love of a game and unite communities and haveing
(04:12):
those opportunities. Whether I'm back in Canada or the United
States and now in Ireland with a group of young lads,
I think I said that correct. You did from throughout
the country come together, unite within an hour and run
team cheers together and help teach them the game and
(04:35):
put a smile on their face. I showed you that
picture of that group as we did one two tree
a breakdown of the Steelers, and like that, that is
a moment, like genuinely that I'll probably never forget. I
hope I'll never forget. Like that's real and it's very tangible.
In moments like that oftentimes are very hard to create
(04:57):
without sport, you know. And being here now on behalf
of the Pittsburgh Steelers and be able to bring that
to some of the youth from the country, it was
a very special moment.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
For people that are not aware. Sean, you have a
Canadian background, Jordan, You've an Australian background. I'd love to
hear of this from the Buffy is how impressed. Were
you with the talent at both the kicking and ponting
musician in Ireland because it's dominated headlines here over the
last few weeks.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
Yeah, the guys have got an absolutely the phenomenal base
to start working with. Obviously, the transition into American FOOTBA
there's gonna be work to do, but from a starting
point for some of these guys, you know, absolutely top level,
really strong legs, they able to make great contact with
the ball, great athletes. Yeah, very impressive to see. You know,
some of these guys coming out and wanted to make
that transition across You know, it's going to take time
(05:44):
to really hone it in and become one of the
best in the world to get one of those NFL jobs,
but yeah, they've definitely got the potential to really make
it happen.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
We were talking off of off Era a few moments,
like a little bite high similar Assie Rules is to
the GEA. Did you find it from sort of watching
it in quil Park on some there, but then also
seeing the guys like Rory Bag and Mark Jackson goalkeepers
in their sport with that whole transition to the NFL,
it is it's a little similar to Ozzie Reels and
(06:12):
that sounds, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Yeah, So the position that these guys are in, it
is very similar position I was in when I was
first trying to make the transition across into college football.
You know, they've got to make that adjustment from the
swing pattern they've got using an Irish football or for me,
an Australian ball, and then really narrow it down, keep
it short and in tight because in American fole you
don't have the space to run with the ball. You
(06:34):
can't take five, six, seven steps when you get a puntet,
so you got to keep it all nice and tired
on two steps. So watching these guys make that transition,
I was yeah, very yeah, similar to what I did,
and it's pretty neat. Growing up in Australia, I had
dreams of playing professional Australian football. Did that right through
high school. It did my best, but as I was
getting through to the end of high school, realized that
wasn't going to be for me. And that's when I
(06:55):
started researching where the options are out there, whether it
was you know, just regular degrees college or trying to
find out options for sport. And that's when I came
across American football and all the opportunities that it provides
through college football. So you know, when you're in high
school and you reading about getting all your school paid for,
accommodation paid for, and food. So chased after the dream
and it was lucky enough to get a spot at
(07:16):
Eastern Kentucky and made that transition across from Australian football
and American and from there just keep working and pushing
along and eventually managed to get that opportunity with Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
It's been great to see and long me I continue
and longly odd people of players from Australia through the
same I've seen it in multiple had lays this week,
so hopefully I continues as well. As Sean, you've you've
you've a really interested in background. Obviously been from Canada,
but you had a different men's sport in hockey. Can
you tell us a bit about your background as well
and just how you got into football.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Sure, and it was fun to be able to share
with the guys today that not every journey has to
be clear and definitive. I grew up in Canada. I
grew up as a hockey player and he know you
if you can kick, you can kick, and so to
hear some of the pop on on some of the
(08:07):
balls today from the guys, that's real And it doesn't
matter what sports you grew up in. And now the
transition in the the challenge is can they continue to
refine their skill set to play at the very highest
level to be one I'm thirty two, you know that
is that is the challenge that's real for Irish and
(08:30):
American Canadian athletes alike, you know, but the opportunity is there,
and Jordan and I have you know, fortunately we've been
able to do it and being able to come over
here and connect and hopefully in some small way have
have helped them on their journey. It's special and it's
(08:54):
exciting and I'm excited for for those guys, and in
particular some of them are very really displayed some high
level talent and it'll be interesting to see where their
journey takes them.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
How easy show did you find that the transition from
hockey to football.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Entirely different sports, but a lot of similarities when it
comes to team play and the reliance pron one another
to achieve a common goal. You know, I think that
is transfers amongst all all sports, and so the transition.
The unique part is kicking is very absolute, and it
(09:33):
is very on an island, and there's nowhere to hide
there and you're certainly reliant, extremely reliant. You can't do
it without the offensive and we went through that with
the youth today. We set up an offensive line and
the ends in the wings, in the holder, and you
can't do it alone. But the reality is when it
(09:54):
comes off your foot, it is your responsibility and there's
a very absolute nature there that is not the right
fit for everyone. And that's where we talk about execution
under pressure, and we put the players, the older ones
today through some of those moments so they could tried
to help them, and then we chatted more about the
(10:16):
mindset of what can help to separate them from other
talented legs.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
It's not your first time outside of North America. You
played in the game in Wembley in twenty thirteen. How
did you find that. Obviously, Wembley is a historic stadium
and we'll talk in a bit about maybe Ireland topping
in the future, but to plan London is a unique experience,
especially in those days, because I believe the game was
at six o'clock in the even time and the one
o'clock eastern wind. We don't really see that anymore. How
did you find we.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Lost the game? But outside of that, I mean, you know,
to jump back to where there's great value is the
experience and opportunity from a player's perspective as well. It
was fantastic to have that opportunity to do that. And
the fan base it's real, it's not fake, it's it
(11:05):
is there. And to be able to bring our game
really throughout the world is fantastic, you know. And I
had some nice discussions with with with some of the
kickers today and people express, you know, how much they
would enjoy to see a Steelers football game in Ireland
(11:25):
and I would too.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Well Mark that Dome, I kind of went well that
with all that on the weis second, I'm not sure
if you've got the chance, Jordan to play abroad for
the Staters, but being a member of Theaters organization with
all the comes of that, how fun was it to
be a part of that organization? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (11:43):
No, I absolutely love my time in Pittsburgh. We didn't
play any international games when I was there, but yeah,
definitely an absolutely really taught knit community within Pittsburgh, not
just from the fan dice, but within the building, whether
it's the coaches, the support stuff, the players, everyone's you know, yeah,
basically a family. Likes taking touch with most of the
guys that I was started with when I was there,
maybe now that I'm outside the building. So you know,
(12:05):
I had a great time in Pittsburgh and loved it.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
It's great to see like you guys be here because
we've seen guys like s Antonio Holmes, Alan Fanaka come
over here for the meetup last year, and it just
shows you, even if you're not playing anymore, there's still
so many opportunities, which is awesome to see not just
here but around the world in Mexico and in Germany
as well, which was recently awarded at the Global Market
Scheme for the Steelers. And one thing that's for me
(12:29):
and to see him for both of you guys, is
Mike Tomlin. He's still there. What's he like to work with?
And you know how much did he impact the direction
of your career in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Yeah, you know, he was really good to me a
lot of my career to him, He's just very personal,
really gets to know the players, really like that helps
find out what makes each guy tick and helps push
him along. I was with one other team and I
had a couple of different coaches while I was there,
and just seeing those different coaching styles from people compared
to how Mike does it, it's yeah, makes it very
(13:02):
noticeable how how well of a job he does in
finding out what makes each guy on the roster of tick.
It's not just you know, a couple of start players
that he talks so, it's not just you know, the
quarterback or you know the main receiver that he wants
to hang out with, it's every single person in the building.
He'll He'll talk to the equipment guys, He'll talk to
the trainers and make sure that everyone's fully brought into
the process and doing it when they can to make
sure that the team's successful.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Even from the outside. Coach tomlin Sean seems like not
only an interesting character, but a motivator in the locker room.
What was it like when you're her? Coach?
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Tomlin is a is a favorite of mine. The relationship
I have a great deal of respect for and still
to this day, would do anything for him. Tremendous leader, motivator,
and he's very absolute and everything he does. I love
that leadership style.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
You know, I.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Would be fun to be in a locker room with
him again.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Jordan the theaters last player in Ireland in nineteen ninety seven,
again the Bears and those days that it wasn't a
regular season game, there was one. I think the first
one wasn't two. They the world has changed since then.
But for this franchise, it obviously is a lot different
than the sense of the Rooney family. You know, has
ties to this island and they're very, very proud of
(14:16):
the Ruts. As we heard mister Rooney on the last
podcast talk about. For you, from what you've seen over
the last few days, how perfect or how exciting would
it be to see Dublin get an NFL game.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
Yeah, it would be absolutely awesome for this city. Hopefully
it is Pittsburgh at some point. Obviously, as you mentioned,
with the ties to the island, Yeah, there's a lot
of good fans like as you know, we had the
camp today with all the young kids. These guys were
you know, twelve thirteen and they had a pretty deep
knowledge of football. I'm trying to stump them with a
few rules questions and every single kid was all over it.
So yeah, with that sort of following and passion from
(14:49):
the young kids right through the adults, it'll be Yeah,
it'd be an absolutely awesome event if they managed to
get one down the road.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
Well, do you be charming in the bit to get
on that plane? Sean?
Speaker 2 (15:00):
The Rooney family is as real and genuine as I've
ever been around. And I see that from a Pittsburgh perspective,
and now I had the opportunity to see it here
actually in person in Ireland. And the strength of their
name and their commitment to Ireland and locally back home,
(15:23):
their commitment to Pittsburgh, you can't fake that for that
many years. And I'm very grateful and humbled to have
been a part of the Steelers organization and to be
here in Ireland in this moment. And they are massive
supporter of not just the Pittsburgh Steelers, but certainly the
(15:44):
Rooney family. Fantastic, fantastic family.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
Just finally, any plans over the next few days, I'm
sure it doesn't not be the first and last time
in Ireland.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
I would love to bring my wife and girls back
to Ireland, and my wife is a Crowley and has
has roots in Ireland. We would love to bring the
girls back. I know they would love it as I do.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Mister Don Rooney went to the epic Immigration Museum which
is in the city center and seeing all of his heritage,
so I'm sure you could do that and it would
be awesome to see. This will be your last time here,
Jordan Muller, I don't think so.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Now.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
I'd like to come back at some point. Yeah, We've
got a couple of young kids, so I'm gonna have
to wipe for them to here a little bit old
before you try to drag a runner run into national trip.
But yeah, definitely plan on coming back at some point.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
We're gonna hear a couple of sound bites from Jimmy
on the podcast, who was at the event today at
the National Sports Center. Here's Jimmy.
Speaker 5 (16:41):
Hey guys, it's Jimmy here from the Irish Steelers podcast.
I had a chance to head to the Steelers Kicking
Jenny this week where I spoke to a director of
Business Development Strategy, Dan Rooney about the importance of the
Steelers building a relationship with the GAA.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
We just have a ton of respect for the GAA
and seeing how they operate on uh you know, you
know a level of just you know, sporting culture and
and really how how this country, uh in the Island
feels about about the GAA where we're learning from them
and you know we're we're also providing our insights from
from the States back back to their end.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
There's a big weekend coming up next week, game with
it with the draft.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
What are your top priorities there.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
Finding the best players available to help the Steelers you know,
have a have a winning field on the season next year.
So hard, hard at work on that end.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
There's been a lot of great work going on, not
just with the Steelers in the last year. Domesticly there's
so much the game is growing year on year. But
to have both of you guys here today what you
just talked about there and now, but you know, going
through different parts of them, I think that's invaluable and
I think that's going to pay off dividends. Like you
were saying as well, Jordan, with just the kids, you know,
you have to almost test them because they're all just
(17:52):
getting not that much better. I guess all I can
say Lodds is, you know, thank you both very very much. Girl.
Miamium maggot Sean Jordan, You're welcome back here anytime, hopefully
for a game at some point in the future. Enjoy
the next three days in Ireland. How much hot you soon?
Speaker 2 (18:07):
We would love it. Hope you see in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Thanks for having us, Thank you, Matte And I don't
know why I said, mate, that's that's the Ausy in me. Folks. Obviously,
the draft coming up over the next week, we're hoping
to have a little special beforehand. For now, please do
subscribe and follow the Irish Hitters podcast. I'm much talk
to you soon. As long a fun
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