JuJu Smith-Schuster has seen his fair share of Internet trolls. Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver drew the ire of opposing fans with his pre-game habit of performing a dance straight over the emblem of the other team on the field for his TikTok followers. “You’re going to have
The post ‘Use as fuel to build more fire to the flame’: Pittsburgh Steelers star JuJu Smith-Schuster on dealing with haters appeared first on ojobmx.
JuJu Smith-Schuster has seen his fair share of Internet trolls.
Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver drew the ire of opposing fans with his pre-game habit of performing a dance straight over the emblem of the other team on the field for his TikTok followers.
“You’re going to have horrible days for everyone and all the young players who witness this,” the 24-year-old told CNN Sport’s Andy Scholes. “You’re going to have a string of horrible games. You’ve made some poor decisions.
Smith-Schuster warms up before facing the Los Angeles Chargers.
Smith-Schuster warms up before facing the Los Angeles Chargers.
You come back the following practise or the following day, and you grow better. That was in the past. But all the terrible and negative you use as fuel to add more fire to the flame, and you can grow better and honestly utilise that to inspire you.”
Smith-remarks Schuster’s came only days after a social media blackout engulfed much of the soccer world.
English Premier League clubs and players, for example, took a three-day hiatus from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram in protest against online bigotry and prejudice.
Smith-Schuster, a major soccer fan, thought the Premier League players’ attitude was “wonderful.”
“I think it’s something we all see people dealing with in their everyday lives,” he remarked.
“I believe it’s great that there is a voice, that it is heard, and that everyone is supporting it. At the end of the day, I believe [there are] a lot of individuals that deal with things like this that go unnoticed because they are afraid to speak up and talk about it.”
The Denver Broncos’ Bradley Chubb and Kareem Jackson tackle Juju Smith-Schuster.
Returning with a vengeance
Following a poor conclusion to the 2020 season, Smith-Schuster and the Steelers are looking to make a statement in the 2021 season.
After starting the 2021 season with a franchise-best 11-0 record, the club lost four of their next five games before being eliminated from the playoffs by division rivals.
After several years of focusing on defence, the squad selected Alabama running back Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 draught. According to Smith-Schuster, this shift in emphasis might help modernise the squad.
“‘Finally, you choose the first offensive player since I’ve been here,’ I told Coach [Mike] Tomlin.”
In the last ten years, he’s drafted all defensive players in the first round. So it’s really exciting,” said Smith-Schuster, who signed a one-year contract with the franchise that picked him in the summer.
During the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game, Najee Harris sprints against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Najee Harris rushes in opposition.
“Even adding a tight end [Pat Freiermuth from Penn State University] in the second round is incredibly exciting, offensive guys, more weapons for us to employ, and I can’t wait to go back and dominate the season.”
Instead of 16 NFL regular season games in 2021, there will be one additional game for players to prepare for.
Although this means that spectators will have more chances to see their favourite players take the field, it also means that an already physically demanding sport will become much more so.
According to Smith-Schuster, the adjustment might result in NFL careers being cut short.
“It’s hard on your body.” It takes its toll, especially if you’re an older man, such as an elder veteran.
Eric Ebron and JuJu Smith-Schuster celebrate a score against the Dallas Cowboys.
“You’re talking about practising every day, three or four times a week, and then coming in and just bashing out and hitting each other.”
That [additional game] reduces the player’s time in the league from ten years to six or seven years.”
The post ‘Use as fuel to build more fire to the flame’: Pittsburgh Steelers star JuJu Smith-Schuster on dealing with haters appeared first on ojobmx.
