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A veteran w/lots of gas left in the tank lol RT @steelers: We have signed veteran RB @DeAngeloRB to a 2-year contract pic.twitter.com/546d2IgnEg
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 13, 2015
In a response to the Steelers' announcement they signed him to a 2-year contract, the newest Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams made sure to point out to Steeler Nation he has "lots of gas left in the tank."
Some might "lol" over that, but for Williams, the Panthers all-time rushing leader, he very well could be finishing up an outstanding career in Pittsburgh.
He turns 32 years old April 25, and has just over 1,600 career touches, spanning 117 games and nine NFL seasons. To whatever degree Williams will be counted on for the Steelers in 2015, he feels confident in what he has left.
Le'Veon Bell, the Steelers' unquestioned starter and 2014 All Pro selection, is likely to begin the 2015 season on the reserve-suspended list, stemming from an arrest for DUI in August. He's since entered a diversionary program, but accepting such a plea deal in the league's collective bargaining agreement brings with it a mandatory suspension.
Williams will likely be asked to carry the ball for the Steelers in that time. Perhaps he took some exception with being referred to as a "veteran" in the tweet. Clearly the team meant no disrespect, but a player anxious to prove doubters wrong is a player a team can count on to be ready when needed.