THE STEELERS CHOSE MAX IHEANACHOR, AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FROM ARIZONA STATE, WITH THEIR FIRST-ROUND PICK, APRIL 23, 2025. HE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE MEDIA ON APRIL 24, 2025. (PHOTO BY MARLON MARTIN)
:10—Let’s get right to it. I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan and not ashamed to say it, unlike some of you pretenders who sneak into the late showing so as not to be seen celebrating “The King of Pop!” Not me, boys and girls. I went loud and proud at 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Just a few things for those of you still not sure if you’re going. #1. I give it an A-Plus…the movie, the quality, the acting, and most especially, the first-ever acting performance by Michael’s nephew and Jermaine Jackson’s son, Jaafar. #2. Trust me when I tell you there are times in the movie that you forget it’s not Michael. #3. It has to be stated that once again hometown product Antoine Fuqua delivered as director. He snatched “Billie Jean” out of “Heartbreak Hotel,” turned her into a “Dancin’ Machine,” made sure she knew her “ABCs” and no matter what “I’ll be there.” Then bounced it “Off the Wall” and turned it into a real “Thriller”!!!
Don’t hesitate, go see it, “Remember the Time” and the greatest entertainer the world has ever known. Enjoy the music, because they have it cranked way up and just let your “Human Nature” take over…“Enjoy yourself!”
:09—While I am handing out grades, I’ll give Pittsburgh an A-Plus as well. The city delivered the Draft spectacular as promised. The lights, action, camera and presentation for the world to see. As you know by now, we were second to none. 800,000 plus will tell ya!
:08—But let’s not get it twisted…all those responsible get a “D” for how disappointing it was to see how the minority vendors were treated. As the old folks would say, it was “A SINN AND A SHAME” the way Black vendors were being excluded once again. We all owe a collective thank you to William “B.” Marshall for bringing this matter to the forefront and for Tim Stevens and B-PEP for stepping up and making everyone accountable!
:07—The Draft itself, that being what the Steelers did and how they did it, I have to give them a C-Plus based on the first round slip-up. By not making the right moves to secure USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. The 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner was hands down the best receiver in the Draft and would have been the necessary link to move the Steelers’ receiving corps to the next level.
:06—All that being said, only time will tell on all Draft picks. The Steelers rebounded quickly and selected 6’6,” 325-pound behemoth Max Iheanachor. The Arizona State offensive lineman is expected to be a stud and key to firming up the Steeler O-Line.
:05—Penn State QB Drew Allar was selected in the third round, with key additions including WR Germie Bernard out of Alabama, blazing speed return specialist Kaden Wetjen out of Iowa, CB Daylen Everette out of Georgia, OT Gennings Dunker out of Iowa, FB Riley Nowakowski out of the national champion Indiana camp, DT Gabriel Rubio out of Notre Dame, safety Robert Spears-Jennings out of Oklahoma, and last, but not least, the next Rocky Bleier to be, RB Eli Heidenreich from Navy, who is a hometown product by way of Mt. Lebanon.
:04—In the rest of the world my Lakers are set to send the Houston Rockets packin’ as LeBron James continues to defy all human logic at age 41 and in his 23rd NBA season. As you know by now, James doesn’t make my top ten…nothing personal…but wow! And by the way, remember statistically he had a four-year head start by not going to college (that’s for Zik’s son!).
:03—I know you need to hear it again. Don’t worry, I’ll teach ya till ya get it right. The top 10 greatest players of all-time are…#1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; #2 Wilt Chamberlain; #3 Michael Jordan; #4 Magic Johnson; #5 Kobe Bryant; #6. Dr. J; #7 Bill Russell; #8 Tim Duncan; #9 Oscar Robertson; #10 Connie Hawkins. If I bring these ten to a game, you’ll never, never, never ever win a game! (My next 5 off the bench: Larry Bird, Isaiah Thomas, Steph Curry, Shaq, and Pistol Pete Maravich.)
:02—It’s coming, and soon. The 52nd Annual Connie “The Hawk” Hawkins “Legends” Youth Basketball Camp. Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Penn Hills High School, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Meet the all-time great W. Pa. legends, T-shirt, cap, towel, ball bag, lunch, skills and drills and games…games…games! Camp Director Coach Clyde Mann and Special Guest Coach/Speaker Ulice Payne, 1977 Marquette University National NCAA Champion. YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE. CALL 412-902-5761!!!
:01—Got something you wanna give back to young people and our community? Join “The A-Team” Achieving Greatness Inc. Call for an interview today, 412-902-5761.
:00—GAME OVER.
