Ex-Steelers DB Trashes Team’s Facility
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson told Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan on 1st & Pod that when he played for the Steelers in 2023, he had to go to a local hotel everyday to use its sauna because the Steelers didn’t have one. This information comes on the heels of the Steelers receiving unfavorable reviews in the NFLPA’s annual report card. For the second year in a row, the Steelers ranked No. 28 out of 32 teams.
“I used to go to the Fairmont (in Downtown Pittsburgh) and use their sauna every single day. Promise. Every single day because I had to have a sauna. I had to have it,” Peterson said.
Fillipponi was shocked by Peterson’s revelation. “Bro, you go to like LA Fitness and there’s a sauna. You go to an NFL team and there’s no sauna?”
It should be noted that the Steelers have added a sauna and upgraded their weight room, however. This was done last offseason, so Peterson is talking about the 2023 season when he was with the team. Former NFL tight end and current host at 93.7 The Fan, Dorin Dickerson, said Pat Freirmuth and Cam Heyward used to come over to his house to use his sauna before the Steelers installed one in the facility.
The Steelers also added a gameday daycare for players. That raised their family support grade from an F- to a C-. But overall, the Steelers are still lacking in several key departments.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding steady at 28th overall, with head coach Mike Tomlin receiving high praise. Players credit him for developing a strong team culture. It is no surprise that Tomlin once again received an A grade as head coach,” the Steelers’ NFLPA overview report stated.
NFLPA exec director Lloyd Howell told Brooke Pryor of ESPN that he believes Steelers president Art Rooney II is more receptive to making changes, but they’re not as significant as he would like. He noted that Omar Khan has been a big advocate for making improvements within the organization.
Rooney ranked 28 of 32 owners in a composite score that considered willingness to invest in facilities, contribution to positive team culture and commitment to building a competitive team.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding steady at 28th overall, with head coach Mike Tomlin receiving high praise. Players credit him for developing a strong team culture. It is no surprise that Tomlin once again received an A grade as head coach,” the Steelers’ NFLPA overview report stated.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk ripped Rooney for ignoring feedback from players, even though there was some improvements.
“I got a ton of respect for him [Art Rooney II] as one of the better owners in the NFL,” Florio said on 93.7 The Fan Wednesday. “But it seems like he ignored the feedback. He hasn’t acted in response to the feedback.”
The biggest issue is that the Steelers just lack space at their South Side facility. Rooney even said during an interview with Jenna Harner of WPXI that they potentially have to look into a new facility.
Rooney’s average rating for perceived willingness to invest in the facilities is 6.00 out of 10 from the Steelers players, a ranking of 30 out of 32 owners in the league. The players feel that Tomlin is moderately receptive to locker room feedback on the team’s needs, ranking him 15 of 32 head coaches in the league.
“When asked to identify top improvement areas, players mention locker room, which is in serious need of renovation, and the strength staff, which scores low on providing individualized training plans and contributing to the players’ success,” the overview report stated.