The Steelers played their first home game of the season today, paying tribute to the late Dan Rooney:
From Teresa Varley:
The Steelers honored the legacy of late Chairman Dan Rooney prior to Sunday’s game against the Vikings at Heinz Field, in a manner that befitted the legend he was, as well as the humble individual he was.
Heinz Field was respectfully quiet, and tears were visible among Steelers’ fans, as a video was shown on the scoreboard, a touching tribute to the life Rooney led, and the impact he had on so many.
Throughout the regular season players will sport a patch on the right side of their jerseys with Rooney’s initial’s DMR, which stands for Daniel Milton Rooney, lovingly enveloped in a black and gold shamrock to honor, remember and show love and respect for the man who was more than an owner, but family to the players.
Prior to the game a flag was raised outside of Heinz Field at Gate A, with an image of the patch displayed on it. And fittingly it was raised by two players who had a close relationship with Rooney, Mel Blount and Rocky Bleier.
Read more HERE.
After the pregame ceremony, the game against Minnesota was ON!
Vikings 9, Steelers 26
The Steelers defense rose up again, this time stifling a Minnesota Vikings offense without its starting quarterback in a 26-9 victory in their home opener at Heinz Field that began with an emotional tribute to the late Dan Rooney.
Chris Boswell kicked four field goals, and Ben Roethlisberger threw touchdown passes to Martavis Bryant and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Roethlisberger connected on 23 of 35 passes for 243 yards.
The Steelers are 2-0 with a game at 0-2 Chicago next Sunday.
Read more from Ed Bouchette.
Grading the D Line (Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post Gazette):
Cam Heyward had a dominating performance and played as if he had to make up for the absence of Stephon Tuitt all by himself. He had six tackles, including four that netted a total of minus-6 yards, and two quarterback hurries. The Vikings rushed for 91 yards on 20, but the only breakdown came when Dalvin Cook bounced a 25-yard run to the outside that was originally ruled a touchdown. Grade: A-
Heyward on FIRE:
Your Steelers Digest Player of the Week is…
CAM HEYWARD!
It has been one of the underrated storylines of this season, but never let it be said that having a healthy Cam Heyward in the lineup is underappreciated. With Stephon Tuitt
out as a result of the biceps injury he sustained in the regular season opener one week ago, and with the weather taking a toll on many of the bigger men in the game, Heyward rarely came off the field and led the defense in a manner befitting his status as a team captain.
After missing nine regular season games and three postseason games in 2016 with a pectoral injury, Heyward returned for 2017 with the idea of making up for that missed time. Hayward posted four tackles and a sack in the opener against the Browns in Cleveland, and then against the Vikings he finished with six tackles, including one for loss, and he also was credited with two pressures in a 26-9 victory that put the Steelers at 2-0. Cam Heyward is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
