The Steelers teamed up with the National Football League today to surprise the Clairton Bears Varsity Football and Clairton Bears Girls Flag Football teams with a visit from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Hall of Fame running back and Pittsburgh native Curtis Martin.
Meeting with the teams, Commissioner Goodell expressed his excitement to visit the western Pennsylvania football powerhouse, congratulated the varsity team on an undefeated season and recognized head coach Wayne Wade for being named Steelers Week 8 Coach of the Week. Coach Wade will be honored at tonight's Steelers game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
The Commissioner also shared his vision for the growth of girls flag football, noting the milestone that was recently achieved when the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) officially sanctioned girls flag football as a high school sport in Pennsylvania – a designation that the Steelers have advocated for at the state level for some time.
Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin also participated in the special moment. Speaking with young athletes from both teams, he shared his early football experiences playing at Taylor Allderdice High School and later at the University of Pittsburgh, and the role football has played in overcoming personal adversity.
"The Steelers were honored to work with the NFL to organize today's visit to Clairton High School," said Dan Rooney, Steelers Director of Business Development & Strategy. "Clairton is an iconic football community where both the varsity football and girls flag football teams exemplify the true spirit and impact of western Pennsylvania football."
