Promise Kept: Aaron Rodgers Autographs Interception Balls for Steelers CB Beanie Bishop

The game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets late last month was set up as a battle of veteran quarterbacks in prime time, with Russell Wilson making his debut for the Steelers against 40-year-old Jets sage Aaron Rodgers, but it was undrafted rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop that stole the show.

Bishop intercepted Rodgers twice in the game, returning one of them all the way to the 1-yard line, and setting up two Pittsburgh touchdowns in what became a 37-15 victory for the Steelers. Bishop held onto both balls as mementos of his first and second NFL interceptions, and in the aftermath of the game, tried to locate Rodgers at Acrisure Stadium to see if he’d autograph them, but was unable to. After the game, Bishop asked his equipment staff to send the two footballs to New York to request Aaron Rodgers’ signatures on each.

Despite the loss, Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show that he would oblige.

Rodgers was indeed a man of his word. On Wednesday, Bishop received both of the game balls he intercepted with the autograph of Rodgers on both. The rookie out of West Virginia certainly has a memorable souvenir from the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

The impact by Bishop on Sunday Night Football couldn’t have come to a player who needed it most. Bishop was coming off of a tough two games headlined by a particularly brutal performance in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The first interception came before halftime as the Jets were looking to extend a 15-6 lead. Bishop recorded an incredible one handed pick on a pass intended for Garrett Wilson. The interception led to the Steelers first touchdown, cutting the lead to two going into halftime.

After the Steelers took to lead on their opening drive of the second half, Rodgers and company again looked to drive downfield. Bishop again made a big play off the deflected pass intended again for Wilson. Bishop intercepted the pass along the sideline and returned all the way inside the one-yard line. A Wilson quarterback sneak a play later extended the lead. 

A week later, Bishop recorded his third career interception off of Daniel Jones to seal the victory against the New York Giants. The three interceptions in two weeks helped Bishop win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award for November.

Bishop joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia just after the 2024 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-9 cornerback is a Kentucky native and had collegiate stops at Western Kentucky and Minnesota before leading the NCAA in pass breakups with the Mountaineers in 2023.

Bishop’s three picks against the Jets and Giants helped the Steelers advanced to a much needed 6-2 record as their schedule ramps up. They will face all 6 divisional opponents, the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs.

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