Pittsburgh Steelers sign former LSU star punter Brad Wing
Brad Wing probably sounds familiar to Steelers fans. He punted for a season in Pittsburgh nine years ago. And he’s been out of the NFL for six seasons.
Check that. The Steelers revived Wing, giving the vagabond punter some NFL life this week when they signed him to the practice squad. No one knows how long he’ll last in Steel City. Pittsburgh made the decision to sign an extra punter when Pressley Harvin strained his hamstring during the Steelers 23-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday night.
LSU fans certainly will remember this left-footed kicker from Down Under who moved from Australia to Baton Rouge to attend high school as an exchange student. Back in 2011, Brad Wing made his first All-American team while playing for the Tigers. He averaged 44.1 yards per kick. And LSU folks will remember him for the punt he didn’t make. In a big win over Florida, Wing scored a touchdown via a fake punt. But officials called it back after flagging Wing for taunting. Do you remember any other punter called for a taunting penalty? We can’t, either. Wing also was the first college football player to have a TD negated under the new taunting rules.
Wing made All-American in 2012 as well. He had 48 of his 118 punts downed inside the 20. Plus, his career punting average of 44.6 yards set an LSU team record.
He gave up his final two years of eligibility and declared for the NFL Draft.
The Eagles signed Brad Wing as an undrafted free agent in 2013. The Steelers signed him a year later. And for a punter, he certainly had a memorable season. He ran a trick play on an extra point, completing a pass to Matt Spaeth for the surprise 2-point conversion.
The Steelers then traded Wing to the Giants. He lasted there through the 2017 season. And from that point, Brad Wing hasn’t played in the NFL. Instead, he tried to get back by playing for some spring football leagues. He played for the Memphis Express of the AAF in 2018. Then earlier this year. the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL added him to their roster. Coincidentally, Hines Ward, the former Steelers star, coached the Brahmas.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that Harvin, the usual punter, probably would be limited this week because of the hamstring. But since Pittsburgh added another punter, Harvin’s strain may be more worrisome. Still, Brad Wing should enjoy himself in the NFL while he can.