Pittsburgh native Brandon Hunt is leaving behind not just his professional home but his actual one in taking a position with the Philadelphia Eagles. Passed over for the Steelers general manager job, Hunt took a promotion to director of scouting with the Eagles.
A Pine-Richland and IUP alum, Hunt got his NFL start with his hometown Steelers and has called the franchise home for 15 seasons in total, including the last 12 years. It was an emotional departure for Hunt, who released a statement to Pittsburgh and the fans on his social media page.
“To the city of Pittsburgh: Thank you!,” Hunt wrote. “For bringing me in, allowing me to become a yinzer, a husband, a Pittsburgh dad x2. For truly showing me what blue collar hard work really is. What passion, dedication, commitment, family, faith, & integrity are really all about. I dreamt of the day I would stand before you as your leader. But the music on the juke box has come to an end, and I have run out of tokens. So for now my good city, my family and I want to say thank you for embracing us as your own and allowing us the opportunity to serve 12 consecutive, 15 in the business, 30 total years in what I believe is the greatest town in all the land. God is amazing….watch what’s next. Don’t blink.”
Kevin Colbert’s scouting tree is full of individuals that left Pittsburgh to find success elsewhere, with many of them interviewing to be his replacement along with Hunt and eventual selection Omar Khan. New Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl is one of those individuals, a Pittsburgh native that got his NFL start with the Steelers that will return after winning two Super Bowls elsewhere.
So it’s possible that Hunt’s message might not be a goodbye to the city that he’s called home for most of his life, but just a so long for now.