**Tajh BoydQuarterback6-1, 222Clemson1st Year
Who is your football mentor or inspiration?**
Growing up Mike Vick was one of my favorite quarterbacks. As I matured and understood who I wanted to be like, there are certain things I like from certain quarterbacks. I always liked the way Tom Brady carried himself in the pocket. I like Ben Roethlisberger and the way he improvises, he is second to none the way escapes the pocket and keeps his eyes downfield. I always liked Randall Cunningham and how smooth he was and the elegance he played with. I always tried to look and take pieces from all of these different players and wonder how I can incorporate it into my game. I am a big fan of quarterback play in general.
What motivates you?
Being the very best I can be motivates me. I can never live with regrets and things of that nature. Every time I step on the field it's putting my best foot forward. I am my own worst critic. I get into a perfectionist mentality knowing at the end of the day you can't be perfect, but you can get as close to it as you can. It's knowing I gave it everything I have. If I can do that I can lead a happy life.What is your football mindset?
Go out there and lay it all on the line. That is the way I played growing up, and that is the way I played in college. If it's third-and-two, third-and-three, I am not going to be one of those guys who steps out of bounds, I am going to do everything I can because I know those guys surrounding me on the offensive and defensive side of the ball are going to do the same thing. I want to play the way the game should be played and that is laying it all out there.Why do you play football?
I went through a time when I played it because I loved it and it was fun. When I was in school I started to play for all of the wrong reasons, for the accolades, to be this popular or famous. At the end of the day that can consume you and you can lose the love of the game. I play football because it's fun. Because it's something I have wanted to do since I was seven years old. I want to ride this wave as long as I can.What is your proudest football moment or memory?
Being named captain in college. It's not something you get just because you have been there for a while. It's something you get because people respect you, respect the work that you have put in. That was one of my proudest things. It's all about the guys that surrounded me.**
Who is the teammate that has made the biggest impression on you?**
Dwayne Allen, the tight end for the Indianapolis Colts. He was one of those guys who is well spoken, knows how to carry himself and knows when it's time to work. People don't understand to be a pro you have to learn how to be a pro. You don't just wake up with that. It's how you come to work every day, the attitude that you have, the mentality that you have. I am learning how to be a pro, the ins and outs. You have guys here like DeAngelo Williams, Will Allen, guys who have been here. Bruce Gradkowski has been such a help to me here. It's what they are doing, that they have been playing so long, that I look at. I want to learn from them as much as I can.When you hear Steelers football, what do you think?
Class. First class. There is a reason there have only been three head coaches in the last how many years. It's because of the standard here. When I first met Mr. (Kevin) Colbert and Coach (Mike) Tomlin, I understood the standard is being the best. There is no such thing as settling for less. When we step on the field there is one mentality, and that is to win championships. Not just the division or conference, but to win the whole thing. That is what separates them from all the other organizations.
What do you like about Pittsburgh?
It's cool because I want to say it's a big city, but it really isn't. My brother brought it up to me that the Pirates, Penguins and Steelers all have the same colors. I didn't realize it until he mentioned it. It's because of the passion people have here for all of the teams and the city. You realize what this city was built on and it's from hard working people and that is what this organization is about here.
