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PITTSBURGH — Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster mentioned he is finished dancing on opponents’ logos throughout pregame warm-ups after elevated scrutiny to the viral movies over the previous two weeks.
Smith-Schuster has danced on opponents’ logos, in addition to his personal, throughout pregame warmups all season, however he mentioned he is calling it quits as a result of his teammates and coaches have been being requested about it.
“For the betterment of myself and my teammates, I will cease dancing on the logos,” Smith-Schuster mentioned Wednesday. “For me, actually, I used to be dancing once we have been undefeated. I used to be dancing once we misplaced our three video games. I am not going to alter the one who I’m.
“I feel it is attending to the purpose the place my teammates are being requested this query. Our coach is being requested this query.”
Although coach Mike Tomlin beforehand mentioned he wasn’t conscious of Smith-Schuster’s dances, he talked with the receiver about it this week.
“Truthfully, I do not wish to be a distraction to anyone,” mentioned Smith-Schuster, who added he wasn’t paid by TikTok to do the dances. “… If it is attending to the purpose the place you are asking my teammates and coaches, there is not any level. Ideally, I might in all probability simply do the whole lot in-house.”
Steelers teammate Joe Haden on Twitter mentioned Smith-Schuster hasn’t been a distraction.
“My dawg @TeamJuJu dancing is the LEAST of our issues! Take are Ls like a person a transfer on! See you Sunday”
My dawg @TeamJuJu dancing is the LEAST of our issues! Take are Ls like a person a transfer on! See you Sunday
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) December 22, 2020
Previous to Monday evening’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith-Schuster posted his signature dance on the Bengals’ logo earlier than kickoff with the caption: “They instructed to cease dancing and never be your self so …”
Within the week main as much as the sport, Bengals’ security Vonn Bell mentioned the dances have been “disrespectful” and the Bengals protection needed to “hit him and let him know the place he stands.”
Bell delivered a bone-crushing hit to Smith-Schuster within the first quarter and compelled a fumble.
“It was a superb hit,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “I will give it to him. The timing, the place he was at, the place I used to be at, me catching the soccer, he made an incredible hit. I can not knock him for that. He is an incredible security.”
Smith-Schuster is completed dancing — at the least for now — however his teammates have not had an issue with Smith-Schuster being himself.
“I feel we have to go away it alone,” defensive captain Cam Heyward mentioned. “I feel individuals will discuss to him, so be it. We’re solely speaking about it as a result of we’re shedding. We’re giving it headlines as a result of we’re shedding.
“I might fairly you’d dance over the Tremendous Bowl emblem once we’re finished. We needn’t deal with anything. JuJu is a heck of a expertise and we’re very glad to have him. He gives a management for that younger group at such a younger age. So be it. We’re in 2020, if you cannot dance over a emblem? What are we speaking about? Man, individuals cannot even go outdoors proper now. We’re very appreciative of everyone’s skills. Let’s get centered on soccer, let’s get again to profitable.”
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