Even for a participant as naturally gifted as linebacker Ryan Shazier, the NFL is the final word equalizer. It’s a league stuffed with the perfect of the perfect, the highest 0.1 %. Shazier’s “welcome to the NFL” second got here towards a kind of all-time greats.
“My welcome to the NFL second is after I performed towards Joe Thomas in my first recreation of the 12 months,” Shazier instructed Arthur Moats in a one-on-one interview. “They have been operating an out of doors zone play. We play quite a lot of good gamers in faculty. Particularly within the Large Ten, you’ve got quite a lot of good linemen. However they did an out of doors zone play and also you simply attempt to shock and shed and attempt to get to the sting.
“Once I tried to shock and shed him, he grabbed me. I’m like, I can’t transfer. Bro, what’s going on? He stored pushing me and stored pushing me.”
And since we’re thorough round right here, we discovered the clip. Week One in every of Shazier’s rookie season in 2014, Steelers internet hosting the Browns. Pittsburgh raced out to a 24-3 lead (that includes Antonio Brown’s “Hurdles, kicks a person!” iconic second). Cleveland’s first massive run of the day got here within the second quarter, Ben Tate ripping off a 25-yard run. He adopted Joe Thomas, who pushed Shazier again to Columbus. Two clips of it, Thomas (No. 73) the left sort out.
“I actually couldn’t get off this man. This dude is approach too sturdy. I don’t perceive what’s occurring.”
The run didn’t result in Cleveland factors however sparked a operating recreation that will dominate the second half. Down 27-3 at halftime, the Browns stormed again to complete the sport with 191 yards dashing and to tie the sport at 27 early within the fourth quarter. A walk-off discipline purpose by Steelers’ kicker Shaun Suisham saved face, Pittsburgh escaping with a 30-27 victory.
Shazier completed the sport with six tackles and one move breakup. He got here away studying an excellent greater lesson.
“I’ve to do higher. I’ve to lock in a bit of extra. I can’t be letting individuals seize me like that anymore.”
Shazier would do higher, turning into a star linebacker earlier than a spinal harm ended his profession. Thomas already was and would proceed to be an elite left sort out elected into the Corridor of Fame on his first poll in 2023. And in that recreation towards Shazier, he confirmed each little bit of the perfect the NFL has to supply.
