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Steelers Star T.J. Watt To Auction Custom Hat Designed By UPMC Children’s Hospital Patients To Benefit Children’s Hospital Foundation

Pittsburgh, PA – September 7, 2025

When T.J. Watt runs out of the tunnel for the Steelers’ season opener, he won’t just be wearing black and gold — he’ll be carrying the spirit of Pittsburgh’s youngest fighters.

For the first time, Watt will debut a custom New Era cap designed by a patient from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. This week’s design comes from a seven-year-old whose fearless creativity transformed a plain white cap into a canvas of color and courage. The playful scribbles tell a story far bigger than football: resilience, imagination, and the strength of a child who refuses to give in.

After each home game this season, Watt’s “Steelustration” hats will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. The initiative ensures that every child’s artwork becomes more than a design — it becomes a symbol of hope, directly funding care and research for families in need.

“Every line, every color, it all means something,” Watt said earlier this week. “These kids are the real fighters. I’m proud to carry a piece of their spirit with me on game day — and even prouder that their artwork will help others long after the final whistle.”

For a city that bleeds black and gold, these hats are more than accessories. They are reminders that while Pittsburgh battles on the gridiron, it also battles in hospital rooms, in homes, and in hearts.

On Sunday night, under the lights, it won’t just be the Steelers chasing victory — it will be Pittsburgh’s children standing tall with their captain.

This is Pittsburgh. This is family. This is Steelers Nation.

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Steelers Sign Elite Kick Returner Raheem Blackshear to Bolster Special Teams Ahead of Week 6, per Adam Schefte
Pittsburgh, PA – October 7, 2025 The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding speed and experience to their return unit ahead of Week 6, signing veteran running back and return specialist Raheem Blackshear to the practice squad — a move that could pay off immediately on special teams. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the signing became official Monday, giving Pittsburgh one of the league’s most efficient returners. During his tenure with the Carolina Panthers (2022–2024), Blackshear averaged an elite 30.4 yards per kick return, ranking among the top marks in the NFL over that span. Source: https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1975269946805657996 Blackshear’s proven ability to flip field position could be a game-changer for a Steelers team still searching for stability in the return game. Rookie Kaleb Johnson struggled early, averaging just 23.8 yards per return and losing a costly fumble. Veterans Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon were serviceable, averaging 25.8 and 25.5 yards respectively — but both are now more involved in the offensive rotation. Beyond kickoff returns, Blackshear also brings punt return experience, logging 23 career punt returns with an average of 8.7 yards and a long of 21 yards. His versatility could prove valuable as Calvin Austin III continues to recover from injury. This marks the Steelers’ second practice squad signing on October 6, further reinforcing roster depth before hosting the Cleveland Browns in a key AFC North showdown. Meanwhile, the team remains cautious with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and edge rusher Alex Highsmith, both working through minor injuries but expected to practice later in the week. For now, all eyes are on Blackshear — whose elite return numbers could soon translate into another hidden weapon for head coach Mike Tomlin. With Pittsburgh emerging from the bye week atop the AFC North, the addition of a proven field flipper could make all the difference in the games ahead.