Former Steelers DE Averts Near School Tragedy

Former Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood helped prevent a tragedy from occurring at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas, where he coaches the football team’s defensive linemen. The situation unfolded, according to KAMR/KCIT in Amarillo, after Hood noticed a student in distress about a personal situation, and wanted to sit down to have a talk with them about it.

The student was found to have a weapon, and Hood found out that the student planned to resolve the situation with violent intentions. So, he stepped in to try and prevent the tragedy from occurring by talking through it with the student going through a tough time.

“After talking with him for a little bit, trying to explain to him, there’s multiple ways of doing about going about this,” Hood said. “And one way was not the way which he had planned.”

Hood is a biology teacher at the high school in addition to being the team’s defensive line coach. The student resource officers and Hood teamed up to handle the situation in a calm manner. Hood has seen the effects of mental health struggles and what it can do to people. His messaging is about making sure that everyone is okay, especially in relation to certain toxicities that can arise from social media.

“The pressures of social media and trying to live up to a certain standard,” Hood said. “This ain’t the way to do it. Talk to somebody. If it’s not the teacher, if it’s not the counselor, if it’s not the principal, go to a local coach or go to somebody. You don’t want to make a permanent decision based off a temporary motion.”

The former Steelers’ defensive end saved lives and futures by doing this. Whatever is going on in the lives of young people, they are often at their most vulnerable. Hood saved the day in this instance, and it stands to show what attentiveness to those around you can really do.