In a season marked by several talented rookie pass catchers, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chase Claypool made NFL history on Sunday.
The Abbotsford, BC native was instrumental in his team’s 38:29 win over rival Philadelphia and became the first rookie in league history. At least three touchdowns and one quick touchdown in a single game.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger praised the 6-foot-4,238-pound wideout after the team’s last win.
Although COVID-19 concerns caused the NFL to cancel their preseason, Claypool quickly established himself as a primary culprit for the Steelers’ offense and won the trust of his caller.
“That last landing [in Week 5 against Philadelphia] is a perfect example, “said Roethlisberger of Claypool’s 35-yard catch-and-run score.”[I] changed the game and he makes it happen. I just have to give him a little cue. It is great.”
Just the beginning ????
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– –@ Stahler
The second round election, which played four years at the University of Notre Dame, saw an increased workload during his first professional season, as evidenced by an increasing number of passing goals in each of the first four games in Pittsburgh.
Claypool, 22, has a tempting combination of size and speed comparisons drawn to former Detroit Lions recipient Calvin Johnson.
Coupled with a glittering senior campaign in South Bend that racked up 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns from 66 receptions, Claypool was still the 11th wideout selected in the April draft.
It was no accident that when the instability of Notre Dame’s quarterback situation was fixed in 2019, Claypool’s output was also lost in the shuffle of a deep rookie receiver and only a year of elite college production.
So far he has surpassed many of those selected before him with his athleticism created in the laboratory and a series of highlight role-playing games.
Check out this toe tip‼ ️@ _BigBen7 to @ChaseClaypool
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– –@ Stahler
In an effort to soften expectations – as most NFL head coaches usually do – Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin summed up Claypool’s recent performance by neatly suggesting “he had a good matchup”.
A tough sell considering he was also the first Steelers rookie since 1972 to score a quick touchdown in a single game – an accomplishment last accomplished by Hall of Famer Franco Harris.
Originally a Star AAU basketball player, Claypool focused on football midway through his time at Abbotsford Senior Secondary, where he helped the Panthers make an appearance in the 2015 AA High School Championship.
“She is my reason”
Off the field, Claypool’s journey to the NFL has not been without personal troubles. In 2011, his older sister Ashley committed suicide.
He detailed his experience In 2017, the loss of his sister is one of his greatest driving forces in fulfilling his ambitions in the field.
“I think about it every day – especially when it comes to playing football … you have to find a reason to do something,” he said. “She is my reason.”
Due to pandemic travel restrictions between Canada and the United States, Claypool last saw his family shortly after the April draft.
“It’s definitely difficult because I know they won’t be able to come to a game this year … but I’m used to it,” he said ahead of Pittsburgh’s week 5 game against Philadelphia. “I just keep in touch and I know they’ll support me at home.”
