ASK THE STEELERS – FRANK SUMMERS – PART 1
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 Highfield in Pennsylvania" Can you be the team's short yardage back and are you up for fighting for that spot?
Frank Summers: I look at myself as fighting for a roster spot period, whether it's the short yardage spot, special teams, fullback, any spot I can get on the bus and on this team I am more than willing to fulfill that role.
**From Laurie Burns in Mississippi: How much of a role will special teams play for you early on?
Frank Summers: I think it will be a huge role. I am looking forward to the opportunity. I love special teams. It's a game-changing play, whether you are receiving or kicking. I love making big plays and on special teams there are always big plays. I am looking forward to it.
**From Jory Dille in Texas: You mentioned that short yardage situations require determination for success. Do you feel that an offensive player's determination will persevere over the defensive player's determination in a goal line situation since the offensive player has the end zone as a target?
Frank Summers: I consider myself a defensive player playing offense, just running with the ball. I have the same attitude and nastiness defensive players have when I am running with the ball. I love the contact. I love the physicality of the game. I look forward to it. I look forward to playing big power guys who pride themselves on being real physical.
From Tim Houle in Massachusetts: Would you liken yourself in any way to Jerome Bettis' style, quickness or overall ability as a big tailback?
Frank Summers: I am not going to make that comparison. He did great things here at this place, won a Super Bowl and is probably a one day Hall of Famer. I can't compare myself. That is not my place. I just need to make this team, one way or another.
**From Maureen Carr in Florida: How did you get your nickname?
Frank Summers:** My mother gave it to me when I was born. I started playing football and it stuck with me the whole way through. It was a coincidence that I had the name. It just stuck with me.
From Jack Marks in California: What was your best game in college and why does that game stand out?
Frank Summers: It was the Utah game my junior year. I had three touchdowns and 200 yards rushing. I got conference player of the week. That game was special to me because it was a shutout game for us. I achieved great things as an individual as well as a team and that's a game I will never forget. My senior season it had to be the Arizona State game. They were the No. 12 team in the country. We had no chance. Everyone was looking past us and we went out and pulled the upset. It was another explosion game for me. I had 100 plus yards. It was another breakout game.
From Ben Samuels in Ohio: Did you get a lot out of the OTA's, how much do they help? Frank Summers: It's like spring ball in college. Being here able to work with the coaches, with Willie (Parker), he is helped me out a lot. Hopefully by the time I get to camp I am fitting in with the others guys, knowing my assignments, knowing what to do and just being able to play football like I know how to do.
