Brad Wing Gets Emotional Thanking Steelers for Second Chance
The Pittsburgh Steelers gave Brad Wing his first shot to play in the NFL back in 2014, when they signed the Australian former undrafted free agent out of LSU and inserted him into the lineup as a punter.
Nine years later, they gave him a second chance. Wing’s career took a significant sidetrack in 2018, when he was released by the New York Giants amid substance abuse problems.
Wing got himself clean, turned his life around and in 2023, returned to football, playing for Hines Ward’s San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL. Even though he was a team captain for the Brahmas and led the XFL in punting average, no one in the NFL wanted to take a chance on a 32-year-old punter with baggage.
But the Steelers gave him a tryout, the one team willing to let him show off where his game had developed in his time away from football. When Pressley Harvin III suffered a hamstring injury, the Steelers called Wing back and gave him a second shot.
Wing was released on Monday after playing two games with the Steelers in 2023. If his stats in that sample are any indication, the left-footer still has it. He averaged 45 yards per punt and 38.9 yards net punting. He averaged 43.7 gross and 38.8 net in his first season with the Steelers in 2014.
After his release, Wing took to Instagram to thank the Steelers for the opportunity to revive his career and get back to doing what he loves.
“Man these past 2 weeks have been crazy,” Wing wrote. “Firstly, the Steelers have made my dreams become a reality, twice in the same lifetime. For that, I am forever grateful. That’s a special place. And secondly, please don’t ever give up on yourself. No matter how bad it seems, no matter how hard it gets, keep going! You are stronger than you think. Much luv to anyone and everyone who’s been a part of this journey. I’m hungryyyyyyyy.”
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Harvin is set to return to action when the Steelers get back from their bye week next Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
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