Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us an update on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ general manager search. Jerome Bettis reaches a personal milestone. One of the Steelers’ historic rivals is getting shined up by ESPN. And Tom Brady is about to be “roasted.”
Brandon to Buffalo?
The Steelers announced Tuesday that vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan got a second interview for the franchise’s vacant general manager’s job.
He’s been an employee in the Steelers front office since 2001.
Meanwhile, another current member of the Steelers’ staff, Brandon Hunt, may be looking elsewhere. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Hunt interviewed for the vacant assistant GM job in Buffalo. That post was formerly held by Joe Schoen, who is now the general manager with the New York Giants.
#Bills GM Brandon Beane interviewed #Steelers Pro Scouting Coordinator Brandon Hunt for the vacant assistant GM job formerly held by Joe Schoen, source said. Hunt, who is well-regarded, is also in the mix for the Steelers GM job.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 17, 2022
Hunt also recently met with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman about a front office opening in Philadelphia.
One to skip?
Steelers fans may want to adjust the auto-download feature on ESPN “30 for 30” documentaries. An upcoming chapter may not go over well in Western Pennsylvania.
It’s set to feature the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. That team went 12-4 and won the Super Bowl. They played two knockdown, drag-out games against the Steelers as well, winning the season opener at Three Rivers Stadium 16-0. But the Steelers got a measure of revenge in Week 9, winning 9-6.
That Ravens defense finished first in the NFL in points allowed per game (10.3), first in takeaways (49) and second in yards allowed per contest (247.9).
The season followed Ray Lewis’ trial for the stabbing deaths of two people in Atlanta in January 2000. The star linebacker was charged with murder and aggravated assault. He ended up pleading down to obstruction of justice (a misdemeanor) and served 12 months of probation.
That team also featured big-name personalities and magnetic characters such as head coach Brian Billick, tight end Shannon Sharpe, running back Jamal Lewis, former Steeler Rod Woodson and ex-Pitt Panther Tony Siragusa.
ESPN Films announced that production has already started on the project. No release date is known.
The Bus takes it in
Jerome Bettis and Notre Dame have been posting a lot of videos from his graduation over the weekend. The Steelers legend went back to school and earned his degree during ceremonies in South Bend on May 16.
Bettis got to take a walk up the steps of the Main Building. Tradition states you aren’t supposed to ascend the front stairs to the entrance of the famous Golden Dome until you graduate.
The definition of a Notre Dame man ️@JeromeBettis36 | #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/GUd17T2yit
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) May 16, 2022
Bettis left Notre Dame before graduating when he entered the 1993 NFL Draft. He returned to campus this academic year to finish his bachelor’s degree. He graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration.
I have been waiting 28 years to celebrate this moment. I am so proud to be a graduate of the University of @NotreDame class of 2022!! pic.twitter.com/VjfleJ40Ia
— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) May 16, 2022
Taking it on the chin
A general rule of thumb is, you can’t take a shot at Tom Brady in the pocket.
But maybe somebody can get away with it on Netflix instead.
On Tuesday, Netflix announced that it will host a comic roast of the legendary quarterback sometime in 2023.
“The roast will be the first in a series of new Netflix specials, ‘Greatest Roasts of All Time: GROAT.’ Brady will serve as executive producer in a multi-roast deal, with his own roast set to tape in 2023, following his next season in the NFL,” a Netflix release said.
Airtimes and roasters will be revealed at a later date.
