A Closer Look: Mason Rudolph
Position: Quarterback
Experience: Rookie
College: Oklahoma State
Twitter Handle: @Rudolph2Mason
Who is your football mentor or inspiration?
It would be my dad (Brett Rudolph). He played football at North Carolina, was a middle linebacker there back in the 1980s. He was my hero, idol, mentor, not just in football, but he spent a lot of time with my brother and I in the backyard, taking us to the field all of the time, getting in extra instruction. He worked with us helping us with instruction, weight training or nutrition knowledge. He was the guy and he still is to this day. He has a lot of good advice he has given us.
What is the best advice he's given you?
I learned from an early age it's going to take a lot more than what is asked of you from your coaches, your strength coach, to get to this level. I think we took that on. You make that your routine, do the extra things. You want to feel like you have done this many times before and you feel comfortable before you even walk into the competition.
What motivates you?
I want to be the best player I can be. I want to maximize my potential. I want to make sure I get to my ceiling as quick as I can. My family motivates me as well, knowing they are always praying for me, believing in me. I want to make them proud. I want to reach all of my goals to make them proud, make them happy. What also motivates me is to be a witness for Jesus Christ, and carry myself in a way that would point people to Christ.
What has been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome?
I was blessed in high school where I had zero serious injuries. In college I only missed one game, but I had a broken foot and a broken rib I played with. So just a couple of injuries I had to deal with. You have to have the mentality you can fight through it. If it's not season-ending, you know you can play through it.
What scares you?
Not a lot. I know what I put into this game, I know what I put into my preparation. I feel like I know what the results will be as long as I stay the course and stay my routine. That is how I try to live, with no regrets.
Why do you play football?
I love it. I wasn't able to play quarterback when I was younger. I was one of those kids growing up that I played football, but never played quarterback. I was on the team with the coach's son, and he was the quarterback. I have a lot of years of playing quarterback ahead of me and I want to keep maxing that out. I love the position. I love the game. I love the stress of learning a new offense. The reward of going out there, understanding it and making a great play. It's a feeling, it's an adrenaline rush like there is nothing you can compare it too. I want to continue to do that. I play for my family. There are goals you want to achieve.
What is your proudest football moment or memory?
I didn't win a national championship in college. There were a lot of proud memories. I would say winning the state championship in high school my senior year. My junior year we lost it, so getting back there, going undefeated, and breaking a lot of national records as an offense and doing something that had never been done before at my high school was big.
When you hear Steelers football, what do you think?
I think of blue collar. All of the greats that played here before me. I think Terry Bradshaw. I think the current guys who are unbelievable stars and have done it for so long, for so many years. I just want to put my head down and work and become one of the next ones.
