[ad_1]
Justin Okay. Aller/Getty Pictures
Mathew Sexton of the Pittsburgh Steelers throughout coaching camp at Heinz Discipline on July 28, 2021.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are fairly nicely set at WR1, 2, 3 and 4, except they resolve to honor James Washington’s trade request—assuming he made such a request. However after JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Washington, the competitors at large receiver is large open.
In the event you’re on the lookout for an early chief within the battle to be Pittsburgh’s fifth receiver, look no additional than former Japanese Michigan wideout Mathew Sexton, an undrafted free agent who the Steelers signed in March after he impressed at Michigan State’s Professional Day.
Mike Tomlin: Sexton ‘Ignited Us’
One purpose is that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has talked about Sexton—with out being prompted—on a number of completely different events.
After the 16-3 victory over the Dallas Cowboys within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame sport, Tomlin said: “Sexton had a giant [34-yard] punt return. It ignited us. I don’t know that we had performed a lot offensively [up] to then. It was like that was a springboard to us transferring ahead.”
Additionally, after fellow undrafted free agent large receiver Rico Bussey had a show-stopper of a practice per week in the past, Tomlin didn’t need to speak about Bussey. As a substitute, he requested why the media didn’t ask to interview Sexton, after the speedster had “made a play or two” a day earlier.
Mathew Sexton’s Nickname is Cheddar Bob
In the meantime, Sexton has had a brand new nickname bestowed upon him. Teammates—and even Tomlin—are calling him Cheddar Bob, a minimum of partly as a result of his resemblance to actor Evan Jones, who portrayed Eminem’s “dumb buddy” Cheddar Bob within the movie 8 Mile (2002).
“It was type of a collective large receiver group factor,” Sexton said, making an attempt to clarify the origins of the nickname whereas speaking to the media on Sunday. “It was type of a humorous factor, after which somebody posted the image of me subsequent to him and I used to be like, ‘I type of seem like the man a bit of bit.’
“It’s cool, I’m driving with it,” added the Michigan native with amusing. “I’m not too anxious about it.”
Nor ought to he, particularly since Tomlin has endorsed it. Requested concerning the origins of the moniker, he said, “Man, who is aware of? We’re obtained extra nicknames out right here…. I don’t declare that one. However I prefer it.”
Coincidentally, although, Sexton is sporting No. 80—the identical jersey quantity that former first-round decide Plaxico Burress wore whereas he performed large receiver for the Steelers between 2000-04. Burress would go on to be mocked for being a “real-life Cheddar Bob” after he accidentally shot himself within the leg again in 2008, not not like how Jones’ character shot himself in 8 Mile.
After all, Sexton nonetheless has a whole lot of work to do if he desires to search for a spot on the 53-man roster. Different large receivers additionally hoping to earn a spot on the staff embody Cody White, Isaiah McKoy, Anthony Johnson, Tyler Simmons and Ray-Ray McCloud, the latter of whom served as Pittsburgh’s main kick returner final season and was named second-team All-Pro by Professional Soccer Focus for 2020.
Observe the Heavy on Steelers Facebook page for the newest breaking information, rumors and content material!
Additionally Learn:
• Steelers Sign Former FCS Running Back of the Year
[ad_2]
Source link
