UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is excited to experience training camp at Saint Vincent College for the first time. It’s a tradition that he’s heard about for years from afar, and he likes the old-school approach of going away for camp.
Wilson’s two previous teams, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, held their training camps at the team facility, which is common for most NFL teams. The Steelers are among only five teams in the NFL that hold training camp on a college campus.
“I’m super excited to be here in Latrobe. I’ve heard about it for years, and to actually be here in an old-school style training camp, I love it. It’s all about ball, so super excited about it,” Wilson said.
Minus 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Steelers have held training camp at Saint Vincent College every year since 1966. It’s the longest training camp tradition in the NFL.
Russell Wilson thinks the camaraderie and team-bonding aspect that Saint Vincent College offers is beneficial in multiple ways, but the goal remains the same.
“I think at the end of the day, it’s the same mission. You have the mission of trying to be the best. Trying to lock in and try to play at the highest level. That part doesn’t change,” Wilson said. “The bonding and the spending time with guys away, which is a great thing.”
Wilson also looks forward to staying in a dorm for the first time in his 13-year NFL career. He feels like he’s at NC State again.
“I feel like I’m a freshman all over again in college, pulling up to NC State. So I remember those days, and that’s the exciting part,” Wilson said. “I think it’s going to be cool, just all of the fellows being together and everything else, I think that will be fun. I am excited to play some ball.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.