Pat Freiermuth Holds His First Youth Football Camp in Pittsburgh

WEXFORD, Pa. — Around 100 kids from ages 7-12 participated in Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth first youth football camp on Saturday night at North Allegheny High School. The camp, which was organized by Athletes Making Progress Together, was coached by Duquesne football players and former NFL players. The camp consisted of warmup and stretching, position development (offensive and defensive), ball handling and hand-eye coordination skill work, drills and technique training, selected competitions for prizes, one-on-one wide receiver-defensive back drills and more.

“We work with a lot of different athletes. Our mission is to bridge the gap between athletes and the community, and we are primarily based in the New York-New Jersey area,” Athletes Making Progress Together president Jackie Nunes said. “I know Pat from college, I went to Penn State. So we’ve done charity and non-profit events with Pat in the past. We did a Thanksgiving Day dinner at the Boys & Girls Club of a teammate of his. And now we’re doing his youth camp and looking to do future charity and community events in the future.”

Along with constructing drills and having fun with the campers, Freiermuth also took photos and signed autographs. Select campers won competition prizes that included a signed photo of Freiermuth or signed Steelers football and miniature helmet.

Steelers’ third-round pick Darnell Washington and tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts showed up about an hour into the camp to support Freiermuth. Spectators were in awe of Washington’s 6-foot-7, 269-pound stature. Washington spoke with campers and signed autographs.

The camp ended with Freiermuth throwing passes in one-on-one wide receiver-defensive back drills. Freiermuth was definitely into it and having fun as he sprinted down the field to congratulate a camper who made a nifty touchdown grab on one occasion. Campers also had fun with touchdown celebrations, which included a lot of the Griddy, a dance move in which a person alternatingly taps their heels, either in place or while walking, while swinging their arms back and forth. It’s a popular dance in football culture. Freiermuth was even doing it with campers at one point.

Pat Freiermuth, 24, was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Penn State. The Merrimac, Mass. native has caught 123 passes for 1,229 yards (10.0 average) and nine touchdowns in two seasons in the Black and Gold. Entering a pivotal Year 3, Freiermuth recently said on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast that he believes he’s on the cusp of being a top-5 tight end in the NFL.