In the wake of Mike Tomlin stepping down from 19 seasons as head coach of the Steelers, Ryan Shazier released a heartfelt statement dedicated to Tomlin's impact on his life and career:
"Two decades of leading this organization with an unshakable belief and a standard that never wavered. Coach Tomlin, you changed my life in ways that go beyond football.
"From the moment you drafted me, you saw something in me and pushed me to be great. Those late-night film sessions, just you and me, grinding through defensive schemes when everyone else went home. That meant everything.
"What you did in that hospital room, holding linebacker meetings from my bedside, never letting me feel alone for a single second, that's when I realized you weren't just my coach. You were family.
"You kept me on the roster for three years while I fought to walk again. Never once made me feel like I was anything less than a Steeler. And then this year, when I didn't know what was next, you brought me back home to your coaching staff. You believed in me again.
"You gave Pittsburgh 19 years of unwavering leadership and never compromised on what this organization stands for.
"Thank you for seeing me when I was 21. Thank you for holding me up when I was 25 and couldn't move my legs. Thank you for giving me purpose again at 32.
THE ASYLUM
Shazier to Tomlin: 'You made me believe'
In the wake of Mike Tomlin stepping down from 19 seasons as head coach of the Steelers, Ryan Shazier released a heartfelt statement dedicated to Tomlin's impact on his life and career:
"Two decades of leading this organization with an unshakable belief and a standard that never wavered. Coach Tomlin, you changed my life in ways that go beyond football.
"From the moment you drafted me, you saw something in me and pushed me to be great. Those late-night film sessions, just you and me, grinding through defensive schemes when everyone else went home. That meant everything.
"What you did in that hospital room, holding linebacker meetings from my bedside, never letting me feel alone for a single second, that's when I realized you weren't just my coach. You were family.
"You kept me on the roster for three years while I fought to walk again. Never once made me feel like I was anything less than a Steeler. And then this year, when I didn't know what was next, you brought me back home to your coaching staff. You believed in me again.
"You gave Pittsburgh 19 years of unwavering leadership and never compromised on what this organization stands for.
"Thank you for seeing me when I was 21. Thank you for holding me up when I was 25 and couldn't move my legs. Thank you for giving me purpose again at 32.
"You made me believe. #Shalieve forever, Coach."
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