There is some major media news surrounding a Pittsburgh personality. Tyler Boyd talks about facing his hometown team without Big Ben. Joey Porter’s son is opening eyes at Penn State. And NFL Films is featuring two Steelers legends.
All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.”
New gig
Plum’s Pat McAfee has yet another gig.
Along with hosting his own show on YouTube and being part of WWE’s “Friday Night SmackDown,” the former West Virginia punter is about to become a full-time member of ESPN’s “College GameDay.” That’s according to the New York Post.
It’s an absolute honor 2 have this tweet tweeted about me.
GameDay is a show that I’ve been a fan of FOREVER
So many moving parts including real cool conversations w/ the fine folks from WWE..all moved quickly
Will lead show manana w/ all the deets
DUMBEST LIFE OF ALL TIME https://t.co/wC4vhzUJIv
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 7, 2022
Andrew Marchand reports that McAfee will be on the show this Saturday from Austin, where No. 1 Alabama will face Texas.
McAfee is in the midst of a deal with FanDuel, which is set to pay him in excess of $120 million over four years.
Pittsburgh presence
The 11th season of NFL Films Emmy-nominated series, “A Football Life,” returns Friday, Sept. 16.
Two former players who will be profiled in this season are ex-Steelers who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Rod Woodson’s story will air on Sept. 23. Franco Harris will be featured on Dec. 23. That coincides with the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception,” his jersey retirement, and the Steelers’ Christmas Eve game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Actor Josh Charles is back as narrator for the series. Others being highlighted this season include Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James, Super Bowl champion quarterback Joe Theismann, Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman, and the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
Family fun
Clairton’s Tyler Boyd is ready for the crunch of ticket requests he’ll get for Game 1 against his hometown Steelers Sunday.
“So far 13,” Boyd said of his ticket allocation. “They’re not allowed to wear any other jerseys, no other color. You wear orange and black or wear some outside clothes.”
Speaking to Bengals.com, the Cincinnati wide receiver admitted it will be strange taking part in a Steelers game without the presence of Ben Roethlisberger on the field.
“He’s a Hall-of-Famer. Whenever you’re going against any Hall of Fame quarterback, you have to be dialed in,” Boyd said. “You have to take advantage of every drive because of what he can do on offense. They still have great players.”
Boyd is acutely aware that a fellow Pitt Panthers alum, Kenny Pickett, could be a play away from getting into the game at quarterback as he’ll backup Mitch Trubisky.
“Kenny Pickett. I like him. I think they’ll be ready. We’re not going to overlook any team because of any guy not there now,” Boyd said.
Familiar name
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is getting some national attention.
And the Steelers are being told to pay attention.
Bleacher Report identified the North Allegheny product as one of its top 2023 NFL draft prospects who “shot up the draft boards” after Week 1 of the college football season.
Writer Alex Ballentine cited six forced incompletions by Porter during Penn State’s 35-31 win over Purdue on Thursday. That’s apparently the highest amount in a Power Five game since 2014 when Pro Football Focus started tracking the stat.
Porter is the son of former Steelers All-Pro Joey Porter. He’s a 6-fooot-2, 198-pound redshirt junior.
Bleacher Report listed the Steelers, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions as teams that should be tracking Porter Jr. the most during the rest of this season.
