Life has been an exciting whirlwind for Artie Burns since the Steelers selected him in the first round of the NFL Draft, and that continued when the rookie was signed to a four-year contract today.
Burns, a cornerback from the University of Miami, is happy to have all the business behind him so he can focus on what he loves to do…play football.
"Football is what this is all about," said Burns. "Everything is about football right now.
"I am playing for the team, for the city. I want to please everybody in the building, and please everybody in the city. We want the fans out there standing on their feet."
Burns started 23 games for the Hurricanes, recording 93 tackles and seven interceptions in three seasons. In 2015 he had six interceptions and finished with 36 tackles.
Burns is hoping to translate his success at Miami to the NFL and plans on giving everything to a team he always enjoyed watching play.
"They're known as a tough defense," said Burns. "I'm that kind of guy. I've been watching the Steelers defense since I was young. That's always been my team since I was young. I always idolized them, year in and year out."
Burns is the sixth of the Steelers draft picks to sign, joining second-round pick Sean Davis, fourth-round pick Jerald Hawkins, sixth-round selection Travis Feeney and seventh-round picks Demarcus Ayers and Tyler Matakevich who previously signed.
