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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers are desperate to win big again. They are a perfect match
Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers are desperate to win big again. They are a perfect match Show Caption Hide Caption Greg Olsen believes Travis Kelce 'controls how he leaves the game' Former NFL tight end Greg Olsen has high praise for Travis Kelce and shares when he believes Travis Kelce will eventually retire from the NFL. Sports Seriously PITTSBURGH – Aaron Rodgers is here. Finally. No, there's no pressure (yeah, right) as the Hall of Fame-credentialed icon makes his 'offseason debut' for the Pittsburgh Steelers at a not-so-ho-hum minicamp on Tuesday. All Rodgers needs to do is turn a storied NFL franchise into a championship contender again. And the same can be said for Mike Tomlin. Yep, Rodgers and Tomlin are joined at the hip for this mission to roll back the clock and pursue championship glory – and are also two desperate reasons why this has a chance. Hey, they both need each other like crazy…enough to try. Go ahead, fire away. It's fair game. Rodgers is 41 and hasn't won a playoff game since the 2020 campaign, way back in his Green Bay Packers life. Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years but hasn't sniffed a playoff victory since 2016. As they stand now, doubted and embattled, embattled and doubted, the setbacks both endured in recent years have provided quite the common denominator to fuel a bond. Having once sat atop the NFL mountaintop, it has undoubtedly eaten at Rodgers and Tomlin that over so many years they have been unable reach that height again. Rodgers won a Super Bowl before he earned any of his four NFL MVP awards and that's been that. Tomlin took the Steelers to two Super Bowls in his first four seasons, winning the crown in his second year, and that's been that. It's been a minute since the 2010 season when, ironically, Rodgers led the Pack over the Steelers in Super Bowl 45. Back then, who knew (besides Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes) that it would be the last time we'd see either of these alpha males on a Super Bowl stage. So, look at them now. Together they can dream of chasing confetti again. Of course, it's a huge dream that will take much more than determined synergy from the two most crucial pieces for any NFL team – the quarterback and head coach. And that's even before considering a treacherous AFC field that includes Mahomes and Andy Reid, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. And then some. Yet at least Rodgers and Tomlin have a boost of hope in each other. And a connection that has been built over years with mutual respect. The connection, too, has been strengthened in recent months as Rodgers contemplated his future and the outside noise swirled. They talked at least once a week. Winners and losers of Aaron Rodgers' deal with Steelers? Oh so many questions Rodgers, after two disastrous seasons with the New York Jets, doesn't sign up for the one-year hitch with the Steelers unless he felt it was possible they could position themselves as a contender, of which he can have much influence. If Brady, then 43, can win a Super Bowl in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020), then maybe… The Steelers have significant pieces in place, including new big-play wideout DK Metcalf, star edge rusher T.J. Watt (pending contract) and all-pro D-tackle Cam Heyward. Tomlin's presence, which includes tapping into the locker room pulse on a Bill Parcells level, may have been the clincher for Rodgers wanting to come aboard. Tomlin, who struck out with Russell Wilson (and Justin Fields) last season, sees Rodgers as the fiery competitor eager to win now – at least for now as the one-year commitment indicates. Add a below-market contract that would still pay less than $20 million if all incentives are met and GM Omar Khan gets a bit more salary cap flexibility to stay aggressive with a talent hunt that could, well, strengthen the cast around Rodgers. Sure, Rodgers will drill down with O-coordinator Arthur Smith to craft a system that increases chances to succeed. No negative there. In fact, it may do wonders for Smith's rep, too, given the struggles with Pittsburgh's offense in 2024. Rodgers has long been regarded as having one of the NFL's sharpest minds, having deciphered virtually every blitz and coverage imaginable over two decades. That expertise matters. Never mind the narrative that they've lost too many offseason practice reps. Remember, Brett Favre came out of retirement in 2009 and joined the Minnesota Vikings on August 18…and led them to the NFC title game. Here's to patience. For much of the offseason, as the NFL universe waited on Rodgers to commit to a 21st season, Tomlin showed no hint of frustration that a deal wasn't struck months ago. The noise from critics was persistent, with suggestions that Rodgers was stringing the Steelers along balanced by suggestions that Pittsburgh should have dropped its pursuit. Pressed by reporters this spring about needing a hard deadline for a decision by Rodgers, Tomlin on multiple occasions said something about training camp. It sounded witty, like a good one-liner that left 'em laughing. 'I wish he'd have retired already': Some Steelers fans hate Aaron Rodgers signing Turns out, this week's three-day minicamp represents the last organized activity until Steelers players report for training camp in Latrobe, Penn. on July 23. Tomlin's training camp reference wasn't far off. Yet it's deeper than that. Although Rodgers reportedly had interest in the Vikings, Tomlin knew, too, that he needed time. In addition to weighing retirement, Rodgers has dealt with personal matters that included illnesses of people in his inner circle. Football aside, Tomlin understood. While Tomlin, like many coaches, can be brash, direct and boisterous – and loaded with catchy slogans – that persona may eclipse his gift for connecting with his players as people. And that will include the eccentric Rodgers. That's essential to the rich culture that Tomlin has developed. Of course, there's a Tomlin mantra that sums it up: 'We want volunteers, not hostages.' The Steelers have had their share of malcontents, yet personnel decisions over the years (as in move on) illustrate how serious they are in protecting a no-nonsense environment. After two years with the Jets, Rodgers is one high-profile volunteer. You can't blame him if he feels relieved. He was cut from the franchise that owns the NFL's longest playoff drought at 14 seasons, the futility wrapped with instability. They're on their eighth coach in 25 years. Tomlin, meanwhile, is Pittsburgh's third coach in 56 years. Yet all that stability comes with a different type of pressure, which Rodgers eagerly accepts in joining forces. Finally. Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell
Washington Post
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Joey Bart homers as the Pirates beat the slumping Cardinals 8-4
PITTSBURGH — Joey Bart, Andrew McCutchen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each drove in two runs, and the Pittsburgh Pirates handed St. Louis its fourth consecutive loss with an 8-4 victory over the Cardinals on Monday night. Bart connected in the first inning for his first homer of the season. He also hit an RBI triple during Pittsburgh's four-run seventh.
New York Times
07-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Yankees takeaways: Devin Williams not to blame for loss, Ben Rice's transformation
PITTSBURGH — Devin Williams didn't have to look back, but he did. The New York Yankees closer turned for a moment to watch Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Tommy Pham's fly ball short-hop the left field wall. No Yankees outfielders were in sight because it didn't matter. With just one out, automatic runner Jack Suwinski was going to score easily, tagging from third base, and he did, handing the Yankees a 5-4 loss in 11 innings at PNC Park on a chilly, rainy Sunday afternoon. Advertisement 'We're expected to do the job,' Williams said, 'and I didn't do it today.' Williams threw a changeup just below the strike zone for the ninth pitch of the at-bat to the powerful Pham, and he crushed it, dropping the Yankees to 6-3 with a one-game lead atop the American League East. Manager Aaron Boone said he thought Pham was 'kind of selling out' expecting the changeup — Williams' trademark pitch. 'Pretty good at-bat there against a really tough customer and I don't think Devin made a big mistake with it,' Boone said. While Williams earned his first loss with the Yankees, the defeat wasn't on him. Several other factors contributed more: The biggest culprits? Will Warren: The rookie right-hander retired the first eight batters he faced and then just fell apart. With two outs in the third inning, Warren walked Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Then he gave up a single to Ke'bryan Hayes and an RBI double to Bryan Reynolds, who immediately scored on Oneil Cruz's single to right to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead. He eventually gave up four runs, lasting just four innings, and put himself in the lead to be replaced in the rotation by Clarke Schmidt when Schmidt returns from the injured list in a couple of weeks. Situational hitting: The Yankees left 10 men on base and went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They put a runner on third base in each of the extra innings. To be fair, they also staged a three-run, two-out rally in the ninth inning to force extras. Andrew Heaney: The ex-Yankees lefty just about shut them down. 'I thought he had a really good mix,' Boone said. 'He used kind of everything.' Heaney struck out 10 while giving up just a walk and five hits over seven innings. Much has been said about how Ben Rice put on weight in the offseason, and so far this season has been 'killing the ball,' according to Boone. Advertisement But why? Rice said in the winter he felt like he had room to grow, particularly in his upper body. So he reached out to the Yankees' dietitian Drew Weisberg with a simple question: 'How much more do I have to eat?' Rice said he upped his carb intake and had lots of meals cooked by his parents as he continued living at his childhood home in Massachusetts in the offseason. He added that he also upped the intensity of his workouts. He said he's put on about 10 pounds total — seven of which is muscle — since last June. 'Some people have been putting it out there that it was like this two-month insane transformation,' Rice said. 'It was over the course of six, seven or eight months. That was our point of comparison. The baseline.' So far, it's worked. Rice's average exit velocity of 97.5 mph has been within the top 2 percent of hitters. He's hitting .320 (8-for-25) with two homers. This week, right fielder Aaron Judge debuted a necklace with a gavel pendant (get it?) with lots of diamonds. Aaron Judge has hit 6 home runs in 7 games And he's been wearing a gavel chain 😤 — MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2025 Judge declined comment when asked about it. But second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. loves it. 'He always had the little gold, small little gold chain,' Chisholm said. 'I had to let him know, 'Hey, you're the best player in the world, my guy. You've got to do something. You've got to show something. You got it.'' Chisholm said conversations about Judge potentially wearing a chain started last season. He said it gives Judge 'some flavor, some style.' 'We had that conversation last year and all of a sudden he wants to pop out with his gavel,' Chisholm said, smiling. 'But I like it. I love it, actually. Show other kids that baseball is changing and he's along with it. The best player in the world is with it.' (Photo of Devin Williams walking off the field after the Pirates defeated the Yankees in 11 innings: Justin Berl / Getty Images)
CBS News
10-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Consumption of raw milk is increasing among the self-proclaimed health conscious but is it safe?
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The "Eat Local" and unprocessed food movements have led to a lot of people seeking out what they think are healthier, more natural options. Many skip pasteurized milk in the grocery store and go right to the source for raw milk. The website Get Raw Milke shows more than 40 places in the Pittsburgh area where you can buy raw milk, including co-ops, organic food stores, and small dairy farms. However, food scientists say that people drinking raw milk could expose them, their family, and even their pets to serious illness and possibly even bird flu. Local farmer talks about raw milk and the increase in interest Raw milk enthusiasts make up a small but growing part of the dairy market. "We have a lot of people get milk, get milk once a week, and get two or three gallons once a week for the kids," said Lara Sheilds, the owner of Le-Ara Farms in Armstrong County. "This has been family since 1984." They have 25 dairy cows including Shayla, Claire, and Bunny, as well as several dozen heifers and steers raised for beef. They sell milk to the dairy processors who pasteurize and homogenize it for sale but a solid portion of their business also comes from direct sales of raw milk to customers. "We have people that are lactose intolerant but they can drink or milk," Shields said. "People are much more health conscious, getting much more health conscious." Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi is the professor and chair of infectious disease microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and pushes back on the perceived benefits of raw milk. "There are no known benefits of consuming raw milk and there are several significant health risks in doing so," Dr. Kuchipudi. "Salmonella is one of the common pathogens that could be a foodborne pathogen and milk is one of the sources of another bacterial infection called campylobacter." Pennsylvania has regulations on raw milk, specifically, anyone selling it has to hold a permit from the state. "Every load that we bottle is tested for antibiotics and quality before we go ahead and bottle it," said Shields. "We're inspected four times per year by the Department of Agriculture, and we're tested twice per year for pathogens like listeria, and campylobacter." What are the potential health risks of consuming raw milk? In addition to the serious risks of foodborne illnesses, raw milk also may be a carrier of bird flu. "There is every possibility that if a particular raw milk that is consumed by a human has the virus, they could end up getting infected," Dr. Kuchipudi explained. "I'm not too concerned, I think there's a lot of overkill and paranoia on this stuff," Sheilds said. Dr. Kuchipudi and his lab at the Pitt School of Public Health study emerging infectious diseases, particularly the bird flu virus. He said the latest iteration of the bird flu has been spreading from birds to cattle, to humans. "This particular version of the bird flu virus has done a lot of weird and strange things that we haven't historically experienced," he said. In November of last year, Pennsylvania mandated bulk testing of dairy farm milk for bird flu. According to the CDC, dairy farmers in 16 states have reported outbreaks with more than 950 herds affected. Ten of those states have reported human cases of bird flu, mainly in dairy workers or other people who come in direct contact with infected animals. "Whenever a virus like a bird flu virus has the opportunity to transmit among birds, mammals, and also humans, the chances of the virus picking up changes and becoming a public health threat is pretty high," Dr. Kuchipudi said. It's important to note, that so far no human cases of the bird flu have come from raw milk, though cats have died of bird flu from drinking infected raw milk. "We in the field, including myself, are really worried about this virus because it poses a real threat of a human epidemic if it's unchecked," Dr. Kuchipudi said. That's why Dr. Kuchipudi said that pasteurized milk is the way to go, explaining that the process of pasteurization can destroy all forms of disease-causing agents, making it safe to consume milk. For Lara Shields and her customers, there are no concerns. "There's been a lot of people raised on raw milk and we all tend to be very healthy," she said. Once again, it's important to say that no cases of bird flu in humans have been linked directly to consuming raw milk, but in the days since we visited the farm and spoke with the doctor, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a newer strain of H5N1 bird flu has been detected in dairy cows showing that the virus is mutating.
CBS News
10-02-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Below normal temperatures are expected for the Pittsburgh area Monday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - On Monday, the Pittsburgh area is below normal with highs in the mid-30s and mostly sunny skies this afternoon. Starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Garrett Co., Maryland is under a Winter Storm Watch. The rest of the viewing area will just have a few light snow showers. That advisory expires on Wednesday at 7 a.m. The next round of wintry weather arrives Wednesday evening around the evening rush with a chance for freezing rain, but it's going to be light and one of those situations where temperatures could be just above the freezing mark, and we do not get much ice accumulation at all. Right now, models are showing a .10" of ice for the Laurel Highlands and north of I-80, and maybe a trace for Pittsburgh. With the uncertainty, it's still at a potential First Alert Weather Day. On Thursday, the area is back to the 40s with rain showers. It will turn colder and sunny again for Valentine's Day with highs just around the freezing mark.
