Excited Steelers fans converge on Heinz Field for 1st open practice in 2 years

Wednesday was Ellen Smith’s birthday and there was no other place she wanted to be than Heinz Field.

Smith, a 55-year-old Mt. Airy, Md. resident, was standing in line with her husband, Rick, waiting to get into a Steelers training camp practice.

The day marked the first time in two years the Steelers could allow fans into one of their practices, and it was held at Heinz Field rather than their traditional training camp site in Latrobe because of covid protocols.

Smith’s husband was willing to take her somewhere more exotic for her birthday celebration but she would have none of it.

“I told him, ‘We’re going to training camp,’” Smith said. “I picked this over going to the beach. We go every year, so having to miss it last year because of covid was really tough. I want to go in and see how they look.”

George Adams, 20, of New Kensington, wore a bright yellow Steelers T-shirt as he stood in the noontime sun waiting in line to get into Heinz Field.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I’m excited to see (rookie running back) Najee Harris and see how they’re looking. I just hope they’re ready.”

Rick and Ellen Smith weren’t the only out-of-town Steelers fans anxious for an opportunity to see their heroes in person. Steeler Nation from several nearby states, including Maryland, Ohio and Michigan, converged on Heinz Field to watch this midweek practice. Among them was Brandon Clemmer, 25, of Negley, Ohio, who drove 90 minutes to be at Wednesday’s practice.

“My grandpap was a Steelers fan and I grew up watching the Steelers with him,” he said. “I show up (to training camp) every year. Normally it’s in Latrobe but what can you do with covid. Last year was super disappointing when they couldn’t let fans in, so this is super exciting.”

Renaldo Patrick, 57, East Pittsburgh, brought his four grandsons to Heinz Field this afternoon for the first Steelers practice open to fans in 2 years. pic.twitter.com/KjAXgr1DUM

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) July 28, 2021

T.J. Elliott is a Wexford native who now lives in Detroit. A former University of Pittsburgh practice squad player, Elliott, 49, has Steelers season tickets. On game-day weekends he usually drives to Pittsburgh on Saturdays and stays for the games on Sundays.

He said it was hard not being able to go to practices or games last year and so he flew into Pittsburgh on Tuesday night and brought his 18-year-old daughter, Yzabella, with him to watch the open practice.

“We’ve been to practices at Latrobe,” Elliott said. “I bleed black and gold, and now my wife and kids bleed black and gold. And my daughter is with me today to watch practice. She starts college in a few weeks and we’re really excited to be here to see the Steelers and see the stadium and feel the energy.”

Yzabella Elliott said she was excited to see wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, her favorite player.

“I’m so excited I’m shaking,” she said. “The last time I saw the Steelers in person was against the Browns two years ago. So I’m super excited to feel the energy again and see all the black and gold and wave my Terrible Towel.”

The Parzick brothers from Bethel Park brought their sons to today's Steelers practice at Heinz Field, the first open to fans in two years. pic.twitter.com/ZlkyomxEJC

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) July 28, 2021

Laurie Nesmith, 53, West Mifflin, was wearing a black Najee Harris jersey (#22). Nesmith says he’s a diehard Harris fan even though the Steelers first round draft pick out of Alabama has yet to play a down for Pittsburgh.

“I think he’s going to do good if we get a line to protect him and block for him,” Nesmith said. “All we need is a line.”

Nesmith said he regularly attends training camp practices in Latrobe and really missed it last year during the covid shutdown.

“It was hard, but look how it’s turned out today. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m going to go in and enjoy them and see what they’re looking like. I can’t wait, I’m excited,” he said. “Our division is rough, but I got faith in Mike Tomlin.”

Craig Jones, 55, of Dayton, Ohio, was making his way slowly toward the front gate. Using a cane because of a bad back, Jones wore a white Devin Bush jersey.

“It’s an opportunity to see my favorite team. That’s why I’m here,” said Jones who explained he was neither a Browns nor Bengals fan because he was drawn to the Steelers at the age of 10 and has been a fan ever since.

“I’m here because I can’t wait to see what our offensive line looks like and see what the defense looks like,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to see what we’re working with.”

Many Steelers fans took advantage of the opportunity to bring their out-of-school children to the event. Among them was Renaldo Patrick, 57, of East Pittsburgh, who brought his four grandsons.

“I’m very excited. We’ve been stuck in the house for a long time,” he said. “I’m just going to take my boys in there and let them have some fun.”