Ricardo Mathews Defensive End University of Cincinnati 7th Season Who is your football mentor or inspiration?This dates back to my rookie year with the Colts and it would be Antonio Johnson. He showed me the ropes from both sides, inside the locker room and off the field. He taught me how to be a veteran at a young age and it's pretty much stuck with me. This will be my seventh year in the league and I took all his words to heart.
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Steelers agreed to terms with DL Ricardo Mathews on a one-year contract. Photos by AP.
What motivates you?**
The most-high power motivates me. Positivity, love, my teammates motivate me. Anything positive.
What is your football mindset?I approach it like every day is my last. I approach it as a professional, first and foremost. I approach it as being a positive role model to younger kids, to inspire them in ways that everybody else can't. I always want to be positive, give a positive look to the public eye.
Why do you play football?
I do it because I love it. I do it because I've been doing it for a very long time. It's kind of second nature now. Not as long as some of these guys, but long in my book. I play it to also to provide for me and my family.
What is your proudest football moment or memory?
Probably in college my senior year, last game of the season against the University of Pittsburgh. We were down 30 some points and we actually came back and won. That was the first time ever in history that the University of Cincinnati went 12-0 for a regular season. That was a really proud moment of mine. Being on that team, being one of the leaders.When you hear Steelers football, what do you think?Steel Curtain. I think of six championships. I think of the best organization in football. This is a privilege playing for this team. I think of it as an honor they took me on. It's all good, I'm here, and I'm trying to get number seven.What do you like about Pittsburgh?I haven't really gotten a chance to really go out and explore yet. I know this is definitely one of the best fan bases I've ever been around. I've only been here a couple of months, but there have already been a couple people who noticed me and it's just kind of weird a little bit but something to get used to.
