Steelers News: Jerome Bettis offers virtual summer camp for kids

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most player pro days and participating in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers keep pushing forward toward a return to football activities. Just because the Steelers are unable to hold their typical OTA’s doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how one former Steeler is helping the youth in his community and across the nation.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Bus Stops Here Foundation looks to offer engaging activities to middle schoolers

Bettis gives kids a unique summer option

By: Teressa Varley, Steelers.com

With the official start of summer just over a week away, and the school year ending across the country, the reality is this summer will be much different for a lot of kids.

Pools and spray parks in many communities won’t be opening this year, camps have been altered or cancelled in many cases, and family vacations have been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will leave a lot of kids without much to do this summer and Jerome Bettis is well aware of that. Bettis, a father of two, understands the struggle of keeping kids busy during the summer months. So, he is doing his part.

Through his Bus Stops Here Foundation Bettis launched ‘Check Inn,’ a virtual program funded by the Ford Motor Company Fund, to connect middle school students to engaging activities. The focus is on tech and innovation, art, video and film, math, Spanish, entrepreneurship and more.

“This summer is difficult. The vacation part is not there,” said Bettis. “We have to figure out what we are going to do with our kids all summer.

“We decided to create the content side for middle school kids. I have a middle school aged son, Jerome Jr. He is going to be a part of this. It’s important to know where they are. I know this summer his brain won’t be turned off. It will be on. He will be connected, and he will be a part of the learning process. That is all I can ask for. I still want him to use his time positively and this is an opportunity.”

The six-week program is free to all middle school students by registering through the Bus Stops Here Foundation.

But it’s not just your run-of-the-mill virtual education program. Not by a long shot.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Looking at the Steelers “Battle of Pennsylvania” in 2020

Steelers 2020 Breakdown: Week 5, Eagles

By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports

The battle of Pennsylvania returns in 2020 with the Eagles making the cross-state trek to Heinz Field to play the Steelers. Anytime these two teams meet up in Philadelphia, it is bad news for Pittsburgh. Luckily for Steeler Nation, the game will be played on the western side of the state this time around.

MATCHUP

Opponent: Eagles
2019 Record: 9-7
Overall History (W/L): 48-28-3 for Eagles
Last 4 Games: 2-2
Opening Line: Steelers (-1.5)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Pittsburgh

OUTGOING PLAYERS/ FREE-AGENT LOSSES

OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai
RB Jordan Howard
CB Ronald Darby
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
WR Nelson Agholor
TE Richard Rodgers

RETIREMENTS

N/A

FREE-AGENT ADDITIONS

DT Javon Hargrave
DB Will Parks
CB Nickell Robey
LB Jatavis Brown

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Ravens coach thinks the NFL is asking too much when players return for training camp

Harbaugh rips NFL’s player return protocol

By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports

Steelers fans don’t often agree with anything the Ravens do or say, no matter what. But when John Harbaugh blasted the NFL’s policy for players eventually returning to team facilities, it might be a common sense outlook everyone can get behind.

What exactly does Harbaugh have an issue with? Primarily the league’s approach on social distancing in locker rooms and in other areas.

“I’ve seen all the memos on that, and to be quite honest with you, it’s impossible what they’re asking us to do. Humanly impossible,” Harbaugh said in an interview with 105.7 The Fan. “So, we’re going to do everything we can do. We’re going to space, we’re going to have masks. But, you know, it’s a communication sport. We have to be able to communicate with each other in person. We have to practice.”

Not only is football, and the NFL, a communication sport, it is the sport with the largest rosters outside of college football. Every team is carrying 90 players on their offseason roster, and to suggest every organization will have the means to be able to distance those 90 players, plus staff, will be a challenge.

“I think good people, smart people are involved in this,” Harbaugh said. “But the way I’m reading these memos right now, you throw your hands up and you go, ‘What the heck? There’s no way this can be right.’”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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