Pat Freiermuth recalls first interaction with Ben Roethlisberger
When Pat Freiermuth came into the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers were preparing to send off a legend in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The two-time Super Bowl winner was on his way towards retirement when Freiermuth’s career was just starting, but that doesn’t mean the duo didn’t hit it off. During an appearance on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take earlier this week, speaking with the famed Big Cat and PFT Commenter, the former Penn State star explained what his first interaction with Roethlisberger was like.
“My first interaction with him was he called me like the day after I got drafted, and it was like two in the afternoon, and I was still like hungover from getting drafted, celebrating and stuff,” explained the Steelers tight end. “I’m like, ‘Hello?’ Because I saw a 412 area code. He’s like, ‘Are you still sleeping?’ I’m like, ‘Um, no. Who is this?’ He’s like, ‘This is Ben.’ I was like, ‘Oh sh–, Ben. What’s up dude!’ But he was great man.
“You know, my locker’s right next to him, which is pretty cool. He’s a good dude just to be around. Definitely one of the guys. Which is kind of cool, learning from him and kind of seeing what like, I mean my locker’s right next to a Hall of Famer. It was pretty cool.”
That’s equal parts hilarious as it is inspiring. It’s bad enough to get a call from your boss or a family member after a long night of partying, now imagine if it was a Hall of Fame quarterback trying to introduce himself to you.
Nevertheless, it all worked out for Freiermuth and Roethlisberger, as the duo showed an innate connection before the quarterback retired.
Continuing, Roethlisberger is one of the players who was adored by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and that’s the level Freiermuth is hoping to reach with him.
Tomlin has gained a reputation as a players-coach over his time in Pittsburgh, and Freiermuth backed up that theory during his podcast, as he elaborated on what makes Tomlin special.
“I think like, the biggest thing that I enjoy is like, there’s no gray area at all,” explained the young pass catcher. “Like he’ll be in team meetings and be like, ‘Listen, if you don’t win this matchup, we’re going to lose the game.’ So he like, as a professional athlete, like you love that like, ‘Okay, this is what I need to do to win the game,’ and I think that’s why everything’s been so successful.
“Everybody takes it so personal. Like that matchup going into the game. He’s a hell of a — love him. Love him.”
You don’t go .500 or over every season as a coach without being pretty dang beloved by your players. That’s been evident throughout Tomlin’s career, and it’s showing no signs of changing moving forward.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can surprise some people next season with their success, and Pat Freiermuth and Mike Tomlin will be right in the middle of it, while Ben Roethlisberger is rooting them on.