Thought I'd share this, considering we've been reading pretty much Mark
Kaboly only since Ed retired, at least this will mean more Steelers
articles:
Mike DeFabo: I’m thrilled to cover the Steelers … and make my grandmother
proud
[image: Aug 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers
fans cheer on the action and do the wave against the Seattle Seahawks
during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers won the
pre-season game 32-25. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports]
By Mike DeFabo <https://theathletic.com/author/mike-defabo/>
Sep 19, 2022
109
[image: Save Article]
------------------------------
In her 85 years of wisdom, my Italian grandmother, Mommom, has developed
three long-standing sports takes.
First: Former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury ventures way too far out of
his crease. Second: The Pirates always leave too many runners on base.
And finally: It’s time for Ed Bouchette to retire.
ADVERTISEMENT
The first two need no explanation. But the third? Well, when I was coming
up through journalism school at American University, my grandmother had
this dream that I would one day cover the Pittsburgh Steelers
<https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/steelers/>.
Naturally, as a Latrobe, Pa., native
<https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/07/24/steelers-latrobe-business-westmoreland-nfl-training-camp/stories/202207240056>
who
spent many summers watching the black and gold at Saint Vincent College, I
aspired to write about my hometown team. But no one tried to speak it into
existence more than Mommom, a sports-obsessed Western Pennsylvanian who has
been known to watch Pitt football games on TV at her house in Greensburg …
while listening to Indiana University of Pennsylvania games on the radio.
I explained to Mommom that journalism isn’t like most career paths. This is
a competitive business with only a handful of writers at each outlet. I
tried to put it into perspective by giving her an example.
“Look, you know Ed Bouchette,” I said.
Of course, she did. Mommom loved to read his coverage
<https://theathletic.com/author/ed-bouchette/>, not just because the
Steelers are her favorite team, but also because of his background. My late
grandfather was a professor at IUP. Bouchette graduated from IUP and began
his career at the Indiana Evening Gazette, so he became the kind of person
Mommom hoped to feed ravioli to one day.
“Bouchette, he’s an institution,” I continued. “He’s almost like a Supreme
Court justice. Until he retires, the job is his.”
“Well then, it’s time for Ed Bouchette to retire,” she quipped back.
Sure enough, journalism has taken me on the long, winding road I
anticipated. After graduating from college in 2012, I spent the last decade
letting my career act as my compass.
Starting out, I applied for 100 jobs across the country (and got none of
them) before finally taking my first leap of faith into the profession in
Fairmont, W.Va. From there, I moved to Chicago to write high school sports
features, Indiana to cover Purdue football and basketball, and Michigan
State to follow the Spartans’ run to the Final Four
<https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/college/msu/mens-basketball/2019/04/07/michigan-state-basketball-goins-mcquaid-example-future-teams/3392982002/>.
Finally, in 2019, I had the opportunity to return to Western Pennsylvania
when I joined the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
ADVERTISEMENT
Each time I called Mommom to tell her I’d taken one half-step up the
ladder, she’d be excited for me … at least for a minute or two. Then, she’d
repeat her familiar refrain.
It’s time for Ed Bouchette to retire.
Well, turns out Mommom finally got her wish. After a 50-plus-year, Hall of
Fame career, Bouchette did in fact retire this spring.
[image: go-deeper]
GO DEEPER
Bouchette: Tales from almost 50 years covering Steelers and more
<https://theathletic.com/3289667/2022/05/03/ed-bouchette-retirement-steelers/>
And, after spending the last three years as a Penguins beat writer at the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, I’m thrilled to announce I’ll be joining *The
Athletic* to cover the Steelers.
At the risk of sounding corny, in many ways, this is a dream job that means
even more to my family than it does to me.
Like many who grew up in this area, the Steelers have been a part of my
life as long as I can remember. It started at 5 years old, when my brother
and I traded for every Neil O’Donnell card we could get our hands on … then
ceremoniously ripped them up and flushed them down the toilet after the QB
threw away Super Bowl XXX. My mother still tells the story of the time she
held punter Josh Miller’s ice cream cone while he signed an autograph for
us at training camp. And on Feb. 1, 2009, Santonio Holmes gave me one heck
of a 19th birthday present.
As I transition into this new role, the lens through which I view the
Steelers will evolve considerably. (I don’t think my editors would be too
happy if I continue to spend pregame in the Gold Lot).
But when I’m writing and reporting, my background gives me a certain
perspective. I understand that Pittsburgh sports fans aren’t like most.
While in some part of the country they consider a football jersey a
Halloween costume, we just call that Tuesday at Giant Eagle.
So what can you expect from me? Hopefully some of you have read my work at
the Post-Gazette
<https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2022/02/16/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-500-goals-nhl-mike-sullivan-evgeni-malkin-kris-letang/stories/202202160041>
and
already know my voice and my style
<https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2020/07/31/jake-guentzel-injury-update-penguins-canadiens-playoffs-minnesota-family/stories/202007310083>.
For those who haven’t, I’m looking forward to providing a range of
coverage. Sometimes, I’ll dive into the X’s and O’s to break down games in
more detail. But the stories that really intrigue me — and the ones I can’t
wait to explore at *The Athletic* — are the in-depth features
<https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2020/07/12/mike-sullivan-profile-bc-high-boston-penguins-nhl-return-to-play/stories/202007100103>
that
illuminate something previously unknown or unseen about your favorite
players, coaches and more.
ADVERTISEMENT
Make sure to follow me on Twitter @MikeDeFabo
<https://twitter.com/MikeDeFabo> and feel free to reach out to me via email
at any time. I’ll do my best to be as responsive as possible … at least
until someone’s grandmother starts calling for my job.
*(Photo: Philip G. Pavely / USA Today)*
[image: Mike DeFabo]
*Mike DeFabo <https://theathletic.com/author/mike-defabo/>* is a staff
writer covering the Pittsburgh Steelers for The Athletic. Prior to joining
The Athletic, he spent three years at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a
Penguins beat writer, three years covering Purdue football and basketball
for CNHI and one season following the Michigan State basketball team to the
2019 Final Four for the Lansing State Journal. Mike is a native of Latrobe,
Pennsylvania, the proud home of Steelers training camp, and graduated from
American University in Washington, D.C. Follow Mike on Twitter *@MikeDeFabo
<https://twitter.com/MikeDeFabo>*
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The Athletic <TheAthletic@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, Sep 20, 2022 at 8:02 AM
Subject: Introducing your new Steelers writer.
To: Walter <stlrmn1@xxxxxxxxx>
Mike DeFabo joins The Athletic NFL and Mark Kaboly on the Pittsburgh
Steelers beat.
[image: The Athletic]
[image: Mike DeFabo - Staff Writer; Pittsburgh Steelers]
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/a/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquSR6l6V61fcSRxlm7PQOYmg0jhmDdIg76K1_gvS6_OF5Low8QlyYs3X1upYGKpSyJy-5zYL-k0gVxil8PnoDF9ftH2OH3eviiF3TquEpJ-21wP-6krXZWExxR9j66h9ZnRbBVPkdM2XdPEdKJ1GFXkzOGiKKGh9DJjErYpbWV71atwhzuHdRummKVLmhxfKNRjAmHLTaXL2cbZEjMP2n_URSUtJP0E3pxvjxkQCLoYKcSl3iux1chaY2f8suA2u0PQ4_8lvdOPMw6DW_GOc2JmE%3D>
Mike DeFabo joins The Athletic NFL and Mark Kaboly to bring you coverage of
the Pittsburgh Steelers. From exclusive interviews, to on-field analysis
and behind-the-scenes features, Steelers fans can trust Mike, Mark and
The Athletic NFL to be there for every football story that matters.
Read More
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/a/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquSR6l6V61fcSRxlm7PQOYmg0jhmDdIg76K1_gvS6_OF5Low8QlyYs3X1upYGKpSyJy-5zYL-k0gVxil8PnoDF9ftH2OH3eviiF3TquEpJ-21wP-6krXZWExxR9j66h9Znf4LJRB490acMixA7kcN6OpOEZb6Wsu6xGKdb3utAap_rZJtVlTUa6GA3xtTxZls1kPKn70YQ1ZvrFQF1Hv0ezTOAnlLfnUqamkdEFHo_GBpcXEql4X110bbv0Dqej0BdbSEp7kyOlZYTbm1119Hu2Q%3D>
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/a/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquSR6l6V61fcSRxlm7PQOYmg0jhmDdIg76K1_gvS6_OF5Low8QlyYs3X1upYGKpSyJy-5zYL-k0gVxil8PnoDF9ftH2OH3eviiF3TquEpJ-21wP-6krXZWExxR9j66h9ZndAqNFPcnTxGn5EAbwY91OesTsqRlF4_hMjVjiK12HmF-3Il1_kYK3SXsUC7W3vAkU3QVbzM5z8FUUnk_l4Y6NxfikzaWzKAdQO8c-tqxVjnKB5yxfnFoLxXJKbVWPmdoVU6fnNiudvEZ25niN-qcGU%3D>
[image: A]
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/u/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquXrKnn8X5M0Osj8TMEVgzM5rJOwOpRgW5HQlQH8iiqpS7MqGVGOgYE3U_0A_awLVwfbX6OupJFQx4SHZSLzdc5PIWZ4rsX9KzbRJ7fB_gFmtT-C0FPno-Kyin3s3tIfmQYy2NTkNTKHi3pCcmyvpvgQSjBgCP_Jdx8OrKW2RuAHTTxowJn1SAWAvCXwoFzcuvINWw_66DLSclBBkiBPrHsKWdQSEUvP8B62KNgRfv-UeB5WJBDZLJY_R8ARxjAlMvmBs6W6DsVlme8YP_MYMBDc%3D>
[image: A]
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/u/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquaM2cWyDN-RwoSp-Y3RryCsLUbeQNtuZWtM55GZTTcoqN5Cxpj48YjBp7AoR-CNXgP49bvp2gbKpQ__OvIB-0jirPPajxrXox2zF4F-OhpECIMPzQgZ_mW-2evuvT8kQUFzj3RcwQHROF-cDe6kvWmcYFMlb-UFmmXTeQfSG-dO2aD88pCHIR70bKJUJ-tlhqlO4xsNz88uAHr-Ca1tbqlw88lnbZgg4iAV_oUBLmQOA-KuHbGgBEFWelewP1xWeAiaC8uoBIw3llyCsTSf3ZIk%3D>
[image: A]
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/u/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquRLSNk0uA0g_tq1Ea5RhD9vSryPrKBR6U4yzL7izpf-DcW9ARZ7nORuTAvk-T6UdAkzg1z1Bu6OAZ5T-B0bQrX7jHk1NnqaoBDD3g6VapEJbeiakWOK59ISRrabh9OJFL3FVcX-jm8xOn3iuirrmHStpwiLeudGbYA4Oiy8-m7dG5WhcW2AoWGOqA15t3FdIEREGY662hoeHNEscYgXV2pIr3e_ur6rd3FIm6pfvS1NbWee9NMVEsZQ9HLLWCJbtYMsnVS2W9ORt8K7yQ910O3k%3D>
View Online
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/e/evib?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=fCYCzbkQ-IAOOe_nj_u6RY7WaJHJsHZFgqaSeNEGTvL2rYgj6nYEdMMkEzbrOEyw>
Manage Preferences
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/u/click?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquSR6l6V61fcSRxlm7PQOYmgQwepcRigccS2Ru3e21UrTOb6MqH4ay0fTVDDyqmht__0DGZwl1Rjz6LcI0YSICPjozUgn192R0j2nYj-N4AlPa4NpWmzFH3lzNn7HrEo4vDns1nycL7iSvWHCnZJht09ipQFoPo-SKO67z8uO8f97KscBDgNQOzJb14nMwMUhOC2_Q4t2i3ealioKa8CpVF7XiTD8rJDVMDM0_Yfu3pZJ4v2uFNMnslowtGnbIskiO4p6cWfehxQg_xj7Zq15t_M%3D>
Unsubscribe
<https://links.e1.theathletic.com/e/eh?_t=1d75fd3a730a463c8648bd84293b832a&_m=a2b6a24b161a44328901c0bdbb04b83d&_e=TdRClzi3oLvufIRY80uquSR6l6V61fcSRxlm7PQOYmgLnbyO6Y2Gd6FishC0FNWWwLEcz31THXEtS8brvF2wPhm9oonBUIMt5TLjSL-ux_nPhysijyQOlUCA-spESlhqt6oil-2_r5HwjKTgEIPBTALLr6Uac2hQebc7PUQ5hipUTzkKDXAd6hfDGPUekL8s9O1LgLtvheT_ROpTLevM7w10tI8iB07ySFJzBONl-ZfdM2aSFeFrvS8asRmBhqDvoEVaGtV1QU_VFOePG8tAQR3C4AodKYmEmDbriD-wOYXlH-L0ny9_Z5AW1mI-TcWW8jSr0SOvE2LUy4W7JPgNqJ4G0qZM3tolpYQYa0ajFmFStIh8exHey4qTMxfhxkhuOtAJy1uVlLJr47OmjBn8ON3_ibt-zLmzHYsPqPdramYrBEYaFP6qrajOzVc2DfFY>
332 Pine Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94104
© 2022 The Athletic Media Company. All Rights Reserved. [image: A]