He went to high school about 10 miles down Route 19 from Pittsburgh and played in college another 80-minute drive or so to the south.
But it took until just days after his 30th birthday for Nick Kwiatkoski to suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kwiatkoski, a veteran linebacker of seven NFL seasons, is attending Steelers minicamp on a tryout basis.
“I came in, did my physical and am getting into practices and meetings and went through everything,” Kwiatkoski said Tuesday after the first of three minicamp practices this week. “So, kind of on a ‘Going until someone tells me to stop (basis).’ So, we will see.”
Nick Kwiatkoski hasn’t forgotten his roots.#WPIAL #HSSN @BP_BlackHawks@bpsdinfo @nkwiatkoski27 @Raidershttps://t.co/3jMcBA6rwu
— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) June 20, 2021
Part of Bethel Park High School’s lone WPIAL championship football team in 2008, Kwiatkoski moved to linebacker at West Virginia, becoming one of the Big 12’s leaders in tackles over his college career.
A fourth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2016, Kwiatkoski played four seasons there in addition to two for the Las Vegas Raiders and last season for the Atlanta Falcons. But since he started all 12 games he played in 2020, Kwiatkoski mostly has been limited to special-teams play over 20 games the past two seasons.
“I grew up a Steelers fan,” Kwiatkoski said. “Bethel Park, obviously, I was close. Awesome opportunity for me, and I am excited about it.
“Only been here a day, but first day was great. Guys were awesome, the coaches are great — and looking forward to tomorrow.”
Kwiatkoski has accumulated 293 tackles (208 solo, 17 for loss, seven sacks), six forced fumbles, two interceptions and a safety over 89 career NFL games.
“It’s been a fun ride,” he said. “It’s been awesome.”
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