LATROBE, Pa. - When Vince Williams says something, he means it.
So when the veteran linebacker, who is entering the final year of his contract, was asked about signing an extension, he didn't talk his contract but instead let his thoughts be known in another way.
"I want to die a Pittsburgh Steeler," said Williams.
And with that, he walked away from the gathered media at Steelers training camp.
But why? What is it about the Steelers that made Williams utter those poignant words?
Take a look at photos of the Pittsburgh Steelers 9th day of training camp.
James Conner
Sean Davis
Blaine Stewart
Jamar Summers
Brian Allen
Art Rooney II
Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2018 Steelers Training Camp.
Stevan Ridley
Terrell Edmunds
Terrell Edmunds
Cam Sutton
Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2018 Steelers Training Camp.
Brian Allen
Matt Feiler
Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2018 Steelers training camp.
Ben Roethlisberger
Mason Rudolph
Fitzgerald Toussaint, James Conner and Roosevelt Nix
Jaylen Samuels and Matt Galambos
Justin Hunter and Vince Williams
Damoun Patterson and Dashaun Phillips
Keion Adams
Mason Rudolph
Jordan Berry and Chris Boswell
Ben Roethlisberger
Jesse James
Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2018 Steelers training camp.
Keith Butler
Morgan Burnett and Tom Bradley
Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2018 Steelers training camp.
Trey Griffey, Nat Berhe, and Dashaun Phillips
Sean Davis
Stevan Ridley, Keion Adams, and Lavon Hooks
Ben Roethlisberger
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2018 Steelers training camp.
Damoun Patterson
James Washington and Jamar Summers
Pittsburgh Steelers players practice at Saint Vincent College during the 2018 Steelers training camp.
Alejandro Villanueva
"I feel like the Rooney family gave me an opportunity to play professional football," said Williams. "It's a great culture here. A great fan base.
"I take pride in being in Pittsburgh. It's a hard-nosed group of individuals who work here. I feel like the people here are no nonsense, hard-working individuals. They are proud people too. I love this place.
"There have been so many great players that have played for the Steelers, so many great linebackers. Just the legacy here. The history. It's so deep and rich. I really feel like I can relate to the people of Pittsburgh."
Williams has a fun relationship with the fans. He loves seeing them at practice at camp, and he doesn't hesitate from engaging in conversations with them when he runs into them around the city.
"I like to interact when I see them out," said Williams. "When I go to Giant Eagle, when I go to Walmart, I like to talk to them, interact. I was talking to some other guys that came from other places. They can't believe how many people we have come out here and watch us practice. It's special. I am thankful for the opportunity. Every day we get to come out here and show our fans that we are getting better and preparing and show we can have something they can be proud of when we bring it into the stadiums on game days."
Steelers Training Camp Schedule:
Sun., August 5 - 2:55 p.m. (Open To Public)
Tues., August 7 - 2:55 p.m. (Open To Public)
Sat., August 11 - 2:55 p.m. (Open To Public)
Sun., August 12 - 2:55 p.m. (Open To Public)
Mon., August 13 - 2:55 p.m. (Open To Public)
Tues., August 14 - 2:55 p.m. (Open To Public)
