Irish eyes were smiling: The Steelers put on a show in front of 74,000 people at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday, defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 24-21, in the first NFL regular season game ever in Ireland.
It was a game late Steelers Chairman and Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney envisioned years ago, and Coach Mike Tomlin spoke from the heart when sharing what the win meant.
"We talked a lot about the late, great Ambassador Rooney last night (at the team meeting)," said Tomlin. "I know he's smiling at us today. It's just an honor to fulfill his vision, to bring NFL football to Dublin.
"I've been thinking about him a lot on a personal level."
Tomlin overall was impressed by the entire experience in Dublin, sharing his appreciation for all aspects of how the team was treated throughout their stay.
"I just can't express enough the reception that we got here," said Tomlin. "The hospitality, the accommodations, the service -- it was all topnotch.
"It's an honor to represent American football here in Dublin."
The win over the Vikings certainly helped to accentuate all of the other aspects.
"It was just a great trip," said Tomlin. "Obviously, a component of it being a great trip is doing the job, and thankfully we were able to do that.
"We made it a little more entertaining than maybe it should have been, but the Vikings had a lot to do with that. That group's got a lot of fight. They're well coached.
"It's just a fun atmosphere, good to get a win. Good to go into the bye in the position that we're in."
As Tomlin said, the Steelers do have a bye this week, allowing them to get some rest following the overseas trip, as well as get some players back to full health, in the secondary in particular.
The team was already without cornerback Joey Porter Jr. on Sunday, and safety DeShon Elliott returned to the field after missing two games injured.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey suffered a hamstring injury in the Vikings game, although he was able to return, and Darrius Slay (cleated) and Brandin Echols (cramps) both had issues.
"We're leaking in some areas, so it's probably at an appropriate time, but to be honest with you, I've never had a bye that didn't seem like it didn't come at the appropriate time," said Tomlin.
Tomlin said the injuries in the secondary played a role in the 81-yard reception from Carson Wentz to Jordan Addison in the fourth quarter, that eventually led to a touchdown to close the gap to, 24-21.
"We were leaking bad at that juncture," said Tomlin. "I think we had a big nickel in and three safeties, and that's not ideal. Under the circumstance, you're really limited in terms of your schematics. You can't play man to man, so it was what it was, but we were able to get out of the stadium."
Getting the ground game going: The Steelers went into Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings without starting running back Jaylen Warren, after players talked during the week about wanting to establish the ground game.
But the running game didn't miss a beat, with Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson carrying the load, with Gainwell carrying the ball 15 times for 99 yards, and the ground game putting up 131 total yards.
"I thought Kenny G, Kenny Gainwell, if you're a football fan, you know who he is, and you followed his career," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the running back who signed with the Steelers this offseason after playing for the Eagles. "It seemed like every time he went in the game, for me as a football fan with Philly, I was like, man, this guy is really good. He should get more touches.
"When I came here, I knew what kind of player he was. I tell him all the time, he's an absolute baller.
"So, any opportunity he gets. Kenny has been great all year."
The ground game played a key role in the Steelers 24-21 win over the Vikings, a win that was made even more special for the players based on the Rooney family history in Ireland.
Coach Mike Tomlin talked to the players in a team meeting on Saturday night, sharing stories and the importance of the Rooney family in Ireland.
It gave the players an extra push on Sunday, wanting to win for a family that has given so much to Pittsburgh, Ireland and the NFL.
"I'm not going to share exactly what he said last night, but it was definitely impactful," said Rodgers. "Coach T talked about his relationship with the late, great Ambassador (Dan) Rooney and how much he meant to him and how much Ambassador Rooney loved football, loved the guys, and loved his appointment here in Ireland.
"Me personally, I'm a little older, so I appreciate the history. There were a lot of us that wanted to win it a little bit more for the family, knowing how much affection they have for this area.
"I enjoyed that talk last night from Coach T. Again, I really enjoyed everything that we experienced here."
An amazing atmosphere: 'Renegade' blared over the stadium's speakers.
Terrible Towels were twirling everywhere.
'Here We Go Steelers' chants were deafening.
If you read the above, you would assume the Steelers would have a game at Acrisure Stadium.
But instead, that was the environment at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, where the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
"It was incredible," said linebacker T.J. Watt. "Hats off to the Rooney family for establishing this culture here and having this fan base following us the way that they do. I think you have to acknowledge the Rooney family first and foremost.
"The fans were absolutely incredible today, and I wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm not. They're everywhere, and they're incredible, and it was a fun atmosphere today."
While Sunday's game was one of 17, and players treated it like that, there was a little something extra.
The fact that the Rooney family has their roots in Ireland, and late Steelers Chairman and Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney had a vision to play a regular season game in Ireland, there was a little extra on the line.
"Absolutely," said Watt. "We definitely had a chip on our shoulder.
"Mike T [Tomlin], before last night, gave a big speech on the importance of the Rooney family here in Ireland, Mr. Rooney and his Ambassadorship here and how important this game means to their family.
"We take a lot of pride in that, and to go out and play Steelers football was huge."
And that they did. The defense did what they take pride in, holding the Vikings to only 70 yards rushing.
"It's like we talk about each and every week," said Watt. "It's fun to get teams one dimensional. Obviously, that's us doing the job. That's the offense doing their job. Special teams had some great plays too.
"It's a whole lot of fun. Steelers Nation came out today and really showed out. Really happy about that and happy about the win."
A special bond: Of all the players on the Steelers roster, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is the only one who truly knew late Steelers Chairman and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney.
He understood Rooney's love of Ireland, his love of football. And he knew he wanted the two to come together in a regular season game.
Having the opportunity to be a part of that game, especially a win, meant everything to Heyward.
"For our team and our organization, I think it's big," said Heyward. "I think me and Mike T [Tomlin] are the only ones that really had a relationship with Mr. Rooney. For us it's a big thank you. He's responsible for bringing us both in.
"To follow The Chief (Art Rooney Sr.) and see what he built on top of that -- I was telling the players it was uncommon for an owner to shake every man's hand and look them in their eyes and ask about their family and ask about what's going on day in and day out. Training camp, practice, games.
"I could tell Art Rooney (II) was very excited about this game. He was carrying around his hurling stick, and he was explaining that sacred ground we got to play in and the importance of this game to the family. I think that resonates with a lot of our players.
"But Mr. (Dan) Rooney, I think we were all very thankful to have this game here. I just felt like, man, if we got a chance to play in Dublin, this is a game we always circled on our calendar. I'm glad we got the win overseas."
