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Steelers NT Keeanu Benton Knew INT Would Come: ‘I Have a Resume of Being Ball Aware’
Steelers nose tackle Keeanu Benton rarely has the chance to get his hands on the ball, but he was ready for that opportunity on Sunday.
PITTSBURGH — It was storybook that on the same day that the Pittsburgh Steelers inducted former nose tackle Casey Hamption into the Hall of Honor another nose tackle made one of the biggest plays of the game against the Cleveland Browns.
Trailing 7-3 in the second quarter, Steelers nose tackle Keeanu Benton made a ridiculous interception on Browns quarterback Jameis Winston.
It was an opportunity that doesn’t come often for interior defensive linemen, but it was one that Benton knew he would make when the time came.
“I think it’s something that I’ve had in my bag a long time. It just didn’t get used like it did today,” Benton said. “I have a resume of being ball aware and feeling when it’s screens.”
Benton’s resume says differently since it was his first interception in the NFL and first since high school. Nonetheless, it came at the perfect time as it gave the Steelers some much-needed momentum.
“Everybody has their turn and you never know when it’s gonna come,” Benton said. “So we just make sure we stay high energy through the ups and downs. Not get too hot. Not get too low and it allows for those plays.”
Benton’s interception was more than just being at the right place at the right time, though.
It was such an impressive play that tight end Pat Freiermuth thought it was inside linebacker Patrick Queen who made the play.
“Oh yeah, man. That was a hell of a play,” Freiermuth said. “I thought it was P.Q. at first and then I saw K.B. rumbling and stumbling down there. It was awesome, man. I’m super happy for him. Heck of a play.”
However, Benton has been waiting a long time to make a game-changing play like he did on Sunday. Entering the game, he had registered just 58 tackles (28 solo), one sack, two forced fumbles and seven passes defensed through his first two years.
Now he can finally add that long-awaited interception to his professional resume, and it’s a relief.
“Personally, I feel like I haven’t been able to do that, make a big play like that,” Benton said. “But it felt good today.”
Most importantly, though, Benton helped the Steelers escape with the 27-14 victory and improve to 10-3 on the season.
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