clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

JuJu Smith-Schuster speaks about the age of his teammates, Hines Ward and how Big Ben doesn’t talk to him

The Pittsburgh Steelers second round draft pick spoke to media after his first padded practice of about everything from his age, his teammates and how Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t talk to him.

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It has to be tough being a rookie in the NFL. When you are surrounded by veterans who have all been there, and done that, it has to be intimidating. When the rookie is 20-years-old, it has to be even more difficult.

When teammates go out, you are typically stuck at home, and this is the exact situation Pittsburgh Steelers second round pick JuJu Smith-Schuster finds himself in. Similar to Artie Burns of 2016, Smith-Schuster is the youngest player on the team, and he spoke about what that is like to local media.

He talked about how when Hines Ward played for the Steelers he was three years old, and how Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison are old enough to potentially be his father.

Smith-Schuster didn’t stop there, and spoke about his rapport with quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs, fellow rookie, and the future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger.

When asked what his rapport was like with Roethlisberger, Smith-Schuster joked, “Nah, he don’t talk to me [laughing].” He said the veteran signal caller has pointed out a few things to him, but he ultimately is just trying to do whatever he can to help the team succeed.

It should be noted Smith-Schuster has not just been practicing in the slot, which many assumed would happen after he was drafted, but also practicing on the outside. His versatility could pay off in the long run for both him, and the Steelers.

You can see the full media session below, via the Steelers official Twitter acccount: