It wasn't long after the Steelers selected Ohio State linebacker Jack Sawyer in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, that Coach Mike Tomlin uttered words that any rookie would want to hear about themselves.
"Love Jack Sawyer," said Tomlin. "It's easy not only in terms of his resume, but his relationship with the game, his approach to football business, how he's viewed and received by his teammates. As (General Manager) Omar (Khan) mentioned, a lot of these guys represent Steelers DNA, and I think that's really indicative of Jack Sawyer."
He isn't wrong.
Sawyer has that approach the Steelers look for, that love for the game that sets players apart.
"My relationship with the game, honestly I love it," said Sawyer. "I just love football. Ever since I was a little kid, my dad will tell you the only thing I wanted to do was play football. I used to beg him to let me play when I was too young to sign up for the Pickerington Youth League in Ohio. Finally, he signed me up and ever since then, I have loved the game of football.
"I can't even put in the words what it's been able to do for my life. I love the game. I always want to be around football. A lot of guys use football to help their lifestyle. I just love the game. I love to play, and I love to compete."
Much of that love stemmed from the same passion his father, Lyle Sawyer, has for the game. He played at Findlay University and passed along his passion for the game to his son.
"My dad is a football junkie," said Sawyer. "Ever since I was little, I would be watching games with my dad. I'd be throwing the football when I was one, two years old, watching games with him on the couch. He said he could tell from an early age that I had a love for the game. I think it started with watching football together on television every Saturday and Sunday and always dreaming about having a chance to do what I'm able to do now. It's just hard to explain."
Being from the Columbus, Ohio area, his first love of football was Ohio State, but it quickly grew into much more.
"We would go to friend's homes and watch games and then the kids who go in the back yard and play tackle football," said Sawyer. "I would be getting grass stains all over my shirt and jeans that my mom just bought me. It was always so much fun."
Sawyer was described by the Steelers coaches in many ways beyond what Tomlin said, and one description by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin pegged him as a guy who makes plays at crunch times.
It's a description Sawyer loves.
"When you play this game of football, the games are won and lost between a few plays each game," said Sawyer. "I always try to prepare myself and get myself ready and best fit for those big moments where the game matters the most.
"I just thank God I've been able to make some big plays at the college level in crunch moments and hopefully I get the opportunity to do so at the next level too for the Steelers."
Sawyer, who is an intimidating force at 6-5, 259 pounds, was also deemed as a player who has his 'mean on.'
And what does that mean to him.
"That is how I was raised," said Sawyer. "When you're playing this game, it's physical. It's man-on-man. For lack of a better description, it is one guy that's going to kick the other guy's tail. You have to have that edge to you and an attitude when you go out there and play. That's how I grew up and was raised to play the game and other sports as well."
While the physical side is something that he takes great pride in, his football IQ is also something that has progressed during his time in college.
"Progressively, while at Ohio State, I realized the more you study and the more you know leading up to a game, and any little advantage you can get when you're on a field with other great athletes, that's where you separate yourself," said Sawyer. "Being a student of the game is something I take a lot of pride in. I try my very best to learn and study the opponent before games. It's something that I'm still going to try and excel at and even get better at and hopefully learn from guys like T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith."
Sawyer is hoping he can combine his athletic ability and knowledge of the game, along with everything he is picking up during the team's offseason program and beyond, to contribute in any way possible to the defense.
"I want to come in and study and learn from the guys that are in the room already who have established themselves," said Sawyer. "I want to bring that fire, that competitive nature that they all have, and just add value in any way possible to the team and to the outside linebacker room.
"I really look forward to doing anything and everything that the team asked me and needs me to do."
Sawyer is living his dream right now, a dream born in a backyard with family and friends, that took him to Ohio State where he won a national championship and now has him at the highest level the game offers where he wants to be his best every day.
"Since I was young, I've been super competitive and always wanting to the best," said Sawyer. "We always joke around that guys who are from Pickerington are super competitive and there's always a bunch of great athletes in every class that go play division one sports, whether it's football, basketball or baseball. Growing up in that environment and being highly competitive and just wanting to be the best and wanting to win, that's what sports has brought me.
"That's why I fell in love with football from the jump. And what motivates me is wanting to be the best. I want to prove myself and prove to the people who doubted that they were wrong, and prove those who believed in me that they were right."
