Daily News & Links: Several Steelers Attend WWE SmackDown; Russell Wilson Throws a Strike on First Pitch

Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL and around the Sports Now Group

🏈 Several Pittsburgh Steelers were at WWE’s SmackDown event at PPG Paints Arena on Friday night. Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton and Alex Highsmith were all there.

Helll yeah… Stillers at #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/sDBrN9cO9j

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 20, 2024

🏈 Russell Wilson threw a strike on his first pitch for the Pirates-Red Sox game on Friday night. Before deciding to purse a professional football career, Wilson got drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 41st round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft from Collegiate high school (Richmond, VA) and the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft from North Carolina State University.

Russell Wilson with a STRIKE for the first pitch in Pittsburgh tonight! pic.twitter.com/Yq57HrkYQc

— MLB (@MLB) April 19, 2024

🏈 Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton played 104 more snaps at center than Kendrick Green did in their respective college careers.

🏈 Saturday marks the 28th anniversary of the Steelers trade for Jerome Bettis, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career. It’s considered the best trade in franchise history, without a doubt. The Steelers acquired Bettis from the St. Louis Rams, along with a third-round draft pick, in exchange for a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick.

OTD in 1996, we acquired @JeromeBettis36 in a draft day trade with the Rams. pic.twitter.com/sRphdFhlau

— Steelers History (@SteelersHistory) April 20, 2024

🏈 Steel City Star shared a clip of ESPN’s draft coverage in 1996 when Jerome Bettis was traded by the Rams to the Steelers. Joe Theismann wanted to see the Steelers select fullback Mike Alstott to pair with Bettis, but Pittsburgh selected offensive tackle Jamain Stephens out of North Carolina A&T instead. Stephens played just three seasons with the Steelers and was cut by Bill Cowher after he failed the conditioning test at the first day of training camp in 1999.

🏈 USC quarterback Caleb Williams, and expected future No. 1 overall pick of the Chicago Bears, discussed where he was at when he heard the news that Chicago traded Justin Fields to the Steelers on The Pivot Podcast.

Justin Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh @steelers on March 16. Caleb Williams was on his way to a business meeting in West Hollywood. His destination was set, & the rest of the world was ready to inform him!

As his phone blew up all he could think was “wow”. He knew where the… pic.twitter.com/KxcqGh4XBy

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 20, 2024

🏈 Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wrote a letter back to a fan who wished him and the team good luck this season.

CLASS ACT: A couple of weeks ago a young #Steelers fan wrote HC Mike Tomlin a letter wishing him the best for this upcoming season… Tomlin responded with a letter and a signed picture.

👏👏👏

(Via @the412kid_) pic.twitter.com/ASRjJkcos8

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 19, 2024

🎥 Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is embracing the city of Pittsburgh.

Russell Wilson in the house! 🏠 pic.twitter.com/W6SV3AoPtP

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 19, 2024

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dubas updates Kris Letang’s ‘significant’ injury, two others.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Pirates’ offense silenced by Bello as struggles continue to build.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Report: Illinois transfer defensive end Anthony Johnson puts Pitt in his Top Four.

West Virginia Sports Now: West Virginia football players Ray, Hubbard, Cutter after spring practice No. 12.

Nittany Sports Now: Watch: Chippy ending to Mitchell Mesenbrink, Jordan Burroughs Bout.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Analysis: Struggling Riverhounds failing to convert on ‘big chances’ early in season.