Pittsburgh Steelers have sights set on playing regular season game in Ireland
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope to take their show across Atlantic waters sometime soon. Daniel Rooney, the team’s director of business development and strategy, said the goal is to play an NFL regular season game in Ireland.
Members of the Steelers organization recently visited Dublin after receiving marketing rights from the NFL for Ireland and Northern Ireland, per the Associated Press. That’s when Rooney discussed the team’s long-term goal.
“Our aspirations long term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Rooney. “As we move through the process, we’ll be evaluating all options.”
Ireland has never hosted a regular season NFL game. In 1997, the Steelers played the Chicago Bears in a preseason contest. Pittsburgh won 30-17, a game played at Croke Park.
Gaelic Athletic Association president Larry McCarthy said the organization is “delighted to be associated with (the Rooneys) and such a famous name and brand in the Steelers.”
Because the Steelers have such tremendous brand recognition, a game in Ireland would probably attract a large crowd. Croke Park, the expected location if the Steelers lock up an overseas game, hosts a capacity crowd of 82,300.
Acrisure Stadium — Pittsburgh’s home venue — holds 68,400.
Not many other details about a potential game in Ireland have been released at this time. But the Steelers continue to push for an overseas contest.
As the NFL continues to grow its brand and schedule more games internationally, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before the league hosts a regular season contest in Ireland. Pittsburgh, more than likely, will get the first chance to play.
TJ Watt arrives at second day of Steelers OTAs
Back in America, Steelers defensive star TJ Watt made his first appearance at OTAs on Wednesday. He attended the second day after missing the first afternoon.
“Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was on the field Wednesday, participating in the second day of the team’s organized team activities,” wrote Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. “Photos and videos from practice showed Watt working with teammates.
“He was not present Tuesday for Day 1 of the voluntary work, Chris Adamski of triblive.com reports.”
Watt is coming off another Pro Bowl season in 2022, the fifth of his six-year career in the NFL. He played in just 10 games last season due to injury, but still put together a strong year. The linebacker piled up 39 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions for the Steelers.