Letter to the editor: These Steelers are heroes, too

I agree with the writer of the letter “Essential workers, not football players, are heroes” (Dec. 29, TribLIVE) that workers who bear the burden of bitter cold temperatures should be applauded. He also said that football players, (who also endure the cold) should be ashamed and embarrassed as football is not work. I disagree. Football is hard and dangerous work.

In addition, allow me to provide examples of several outstanding Steelers football players.

Cameron Heyward’s story begins long before he was drafted by the Steelers. In 2015, he established Pittsburgh’s Heyward House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to impacting the lives of underprivileged children.

T.J. Watt supports 412 Food Rescue, which provides food that would otherwise be wasted to nonprofits that need it. His brother, J.J. Watt, through his foundation has provided funding to 770 schools to the tune of $6.7 million.

The Mel Blount Youth Home is a shelter and mission for victims of child abuse and neglect.

Current Steelers made $432,400 in donations to the Steelers Social Justice Fund in 2022.

These football players, off the field, should be acknowledged as true heroes as well.

Kathy Slomka

Leechburg