ASK THE STEELERS – A.Q. SHIPLEY – PART 2
Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.
From Paul Jefferson in New York: What was draft day like for you, waiting for the phone to ring?
A.Q. Shipley: It was rough. My agent did a good job of keeping me calm, telling me never get too high or low. I took that approach. My family was good support, my girlfriend and everybody. I just hung around and waited it out and when I finally got the call it made it really special.
From Rita Lloyd in Pennsylvania: What was your first reaction when you learned you were going to be the newest Pittsburgh Steeler?
A.Q. Shipley: It was awesome. My parents have been rooting the Steelers on since the 1970s. Ever since I was born I was a Steelers fan. When I got the call it was an amazing feeling and I couldn't be happier.
From Greg Stewart in Pennsylvania: In your wildest dreams did you ever thing you would play for your hometown team?
A.Q. Shipley: Never in a million years. That's the ultimate dream, the ultimate scenario. My parents are ecstatic, I am ecstatic. I am going to just work as hard as I can to make the city proud.
From Alex Martin in Texas: What was the reaction from your friends that you would be wearing the black and gold? Did they ask for tickets already?
A.Q. Shipley: Oh yeah, it's been wild. I had to change my phone number. Everyone has been asking for jerseys and tickets. It's been fun. It's part of the responsibility. I just have to work hard and make everybody proud.
From Jasmine Briggs in Michigan: Did you know ahead of time the Steelers were interested in you?
A.Q. Shipley: I took a visit here so I knew somewhat. I knew they were going to be looking for some offensive linemen in the draft. I was hoping and it worked out for me. I couldn't be happier.
From Benjamin Bream in Maryland: What is it going to be like to go into the locker room at Heinz Field for the first time and see your jersey hanging there and then take the field and see the Terrible Towels waving?
A.Q. Shipley: It's going to be unreal. Two years ago I was at the Jacksonville playoff game and I was one of the guys waving the towel. Now to go out and experience it from field level as a player is going to be awesome.
From Mark James in Ohio: What was it like to see the six Super Bowl trophies for the first time?
A.Q. Shipley: It almost brings chills. You walk in there and see all of the history and the memories and pictures from those years. Then you see the trophies. It was an unbelievable feeling to have our picture taken with them at the rookie dinner. It was a pretty awesome feeling.
