Steelers rookie punter shares heartfelt message regarding his ailing father

The Pittsburgh Steelers went out of their way to provide a special moment for the father of their punter.

NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala brought attention to an Instagram post shared by the Steelers’ rookie, Pressley Harvin III, which shined light on the situation.

“Thank you to this organization for making this weekend special for my father,” Harvin shared on Instagram. “We found out this week that his time left on this earth is limited. With short notice, we were able to get him to a game one last time. Continue to pray for my Dad as well as my family as we navigate through hard times and continue to try to get my father in better health.”

Though details about Harvin’s father aren’t known, it’s obvious the Pittsburgh Steelers went above and beyond on short notice to accommodate their punter and his family.

The Steelers’ rookie who played collegiately at Georgia Tech has struggled this season and was even booed during Sunday’s home game according to Kinkhabwala. He ranks last in the NFL in punting average with 43. 3 yards per punt, three yards worse than Chicago Bears punter Jordan Berry, who Harvin replace.

Despite his on-field struggles, it’s clear Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff is sticking by their rookie.

“He and we smile in the face of adversity, and we send him out there . . . We’re committed to him,” Tomlin said after Sunday’s game.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers rival QB praises fan base, Heinz Field

The home of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been deemed the toughest stadium to play in according to one former NFL quarterback who had plenty of trips to Heinz Field during his career. 

“It doesn’t matter what jersey you got on, if it’s not black and yellow, there’s a certain hatred,” former Cincinnati Bengals signal caller Carson Palmer told Dan Patrick when asked about playing at Heinz Field. 

“You feel it and you love it and it’s a great, great energy. Not that the energy in Baltimore is anything to shake a stick at, but there’s nothing like Heinz Field–especially when you’re an inner-division team and you’re playing for the Bengals, Browns or Ravens,” Palmer added. 

The now retired quarterback said Pittsburgh Steelers fans give their team a significant home field advantage. 

“You walk into Heinz Field, especially on a Sunday or Monday night game, against those fans, it’s like having a 12th defender on the field sometimes because they are so tense and the electricity is so great,” Palmer added.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing significant COVID-19 issues like so many other NFL teams, but will look to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.