JuJu Smith-Schuster Wide Receiver USC Rookie
Who is your football mentor or inspiration?
It was always the coach I played for. I never wanted to let that person down. In college it was Tee Martin, our offensive coordinator. I came here and now it's Richard Mann and Coach (Mike) Tomlin. That is how it is and has always been. I never want to let my teammates down or coaches.Â
What motivates you?
The people around me. My family. What is going to bring the best out of me is coming here, knowing what this city is about, the players in the receiver's room. Those guys motivate me to get better. **
What is your approach to football? **
It's all ball. Ever since I got here, it's all about ball. In college you had school to focus on too. Now that you are in the NFL it's all football. I am just focused on how to get better, learn the playbook and try to get on the field.
Why do you play football?
To be honest, the reason why I play football is, I wasn't the brightest kid in school. Playing football was my way into college. It gave me the opportunity to have an education in college and play a sport I love that I can make an income out of.* When did you start to dream about playing in the NFL?*
It started becoming a dream when I was a kid watching Reggie Bush and those guys. I wasn't big on the NFL until I got older and older. In high school it really started to interest me. ** Â * What is your proudest football moment or memory? *
I would say that phone call that I got on draft day. That would be the best. * When you hear Steelers, what do you think?*
I think hard-working. That is how I am. I come into the game as a physical, hard-working player who is just trying to get better each and every day. When you think of the Steelers, of Pittsburgh, what they are known. Everybody is here for a reason, to get better in life.