The Time John Mitchell Told Brett Keisel To Get Himself A Walmart Job Application

Brett Keisel was among the many former Steelers gamers who hung out at coaching camp final week, and the go to introduced again so many nice reminiscences. One of many extra underrated Steelers of his era and a two-time Tremendous Bowl champion, Keisel beloved a lot about tenting at Saint Vincent School in Latrobe.

Bonding with teammates. Attending to know their households after they would go to camp. Fishing in certainly one of close by Ligonier’s many streams when he had time to commerce the grind of soccer for the solitude of the woods.

One factor he doesn’t miss about camp: the practices that run scorching, and never simply due to the climate.

“It’s so enjoyable to be again there and so good to go there realizing you’re not going to need to go on the market and smash individuals once more,” Keisel instructed Steelers Depot Tuesday earlier than a talking engagement at Grandview Golf Membership simply exterior of Pittsburgh. “My physique virtually begins to have PTSD [getting] off that Irwin (turnpike) exit. It’s good taking place there and being like ‘Ha ha, you guys need to undergo it now.’”

To say Keisel went by way of it throughout his first Steelers coaching camp is an understatement.

He arrived in Latrobe because the 242nd decide of the 2002 NFL Draft. As he playfully famous to former Steelers director of soccer operations/GM Kevin Colbert, who additionally attended the annual lunch honoring Pittsburgh-area highschool soccer teaching legends, he was the second of two Pittsburgh seventh-round picks that yr.

After taking part in as a rush defensive finish at BYU, Keisel needed to learn to play as a 3-4 finish within the Steelers’ protection. Which, to a rookie whose head was already spinning, typically appeared as international as attempting to put in writing backwards.

Keisel stated he knew he would wrestle to make the group. And veteran line of defense coach John Mitchell had an attention-grabbing method of framing that in the future, as Keisel shared throughout lunch.

“Ninety-nine,” Mitchell stated, calling him by his jersey quantity, “are you aware the place Walmart is in Latrobe?”

Keisel stated positive, and requested Mitchell if he wanted one thing picked up from there.

“You’re going to wish to choose your self up one thing,” Mitchell instructed him. “Like a job software as a result of it’s going to be robust so that you can make this group.”

Alrighty, then.

And Mitchell, who was nothing if not a taskmaster, seemingly put Keisel on blast each rattling day. He would pause the tape throughout a movie evaluation of follow to level out Keisel taking this step unsuitable or doing that unsuitable.

Lastly, Keisel approached a number of the different defensive linemen and requested, “What’s the take care of this man?”

“Effectively, you recognize Bear Bryant coached him, and he was the primary Black participant at Alabama,” second-year nostril sort out Casey Hampton instructed him. “Been by way of a bit little bit of tough stuff.”

That helped Keisel achieve a greater understanding of Mitchell. He additionally resolved to cease worrying a lot about Mitchell’s nitpicking and do one thing each follow to face out to the coaches.

“For me, that was kickoffs, punt return [coverage],” Keisel stated. “John Fiala was our group captain on particular groups, and I used to be like, ‘That’s who I’m going after.’ Any time I had an opportunity to canine him, that’s what I used to be attempting to do. I confirmed sufficient performs, I suppose, to face out and make the group although Mitch stated I used to be going to get reduce on daily basis.”

In some ways, Keisel is the final word instance to fringe-roster gamers who’re in Steelers camp proper now. He fought his method onto the 53-man roster by way of particular groups, established himself as a core particular teamer, and have become a full-time starter in 2006.

Keisel retired following the 2014 season, after serving as a key cog on some nice Steelers defenses, together with a generational one in 2008, making a Professional Bowl, and turning into a fan favourite.

Oh, and he holds something however ailing will towards Mitchell, who retired in 2023. His robust love formed Keisel’s rise from late-round draft decide to one of many higher 3-4 NFL defensive ends for nearly a decade.

“He was the most effective influences for me,” Keisel stated.