Not too long ago, Stefen Wisniewski’s weekends used to be about wondering what his NFL fate held. Recently released by the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs, he did his best to not focus on the situation. In an interview to the press, Wisniewski revealed that he tried to not focus on the whys.
Contrary to that, he maintained his faith that he would find work very soon. He
stayed optimistic throughout, hoping that an opportunity was just around the corner. In the
end, it has worked out far better than he could have ever imagined. Even the odds offered
on the best American sports betting portals didn’t favor the return of veteran offensive
lineman.
Wisniewski has had a great run lately. In February he earned his second Super Bowl ring while appearing for Kansas
City Chiefs (he won his first with Philadelphia in 2017) . Over the last week, his long
NFL journey finally led him back home after the Pittsburgh native successfully signed a two-year-long deal with Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Chiefs wanted to retain the 31 year old (at a lower price), he didn’t want to let the opportunity of
playing for a team he grew up rooting for, pass by just like that. He’ll be hoping to get a
chance to play at left guard, in place of Ramon Foster who retired when the League season began several weeks ago.
Excited, Wisniewski said that he was aware of the opening and was pretty excited about it.
He was happy because it isn’t any other starting job, but for Pittsburgh Steelers. Even
though he had other options, he never wanted to turn down his home team.
As a child, dreamt of playing for Pittsburgh Steelers one day. Wisniewski spent his childhood in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and recalled hurrying back home from church each Sunday, to make it just in time for Steelers’ kick-off. He was a part of his
high school team and played at Heinz Field; often dreaming about joining his uncle Stephen
and father Leo in NFL someday. Though putting on the black and gold seemed like a distant dream at that time. It’s worth noting that both his uncle and dad spent their whole careers with just one team – Uncle Stephen with Dallas Cowboys and his father with the Baltimore Colts.
His own path has been comparatively more winding. In his first six seasons, Stefen moved
from Oakland to Jacksonville and then to Philadelphia. He was always with clubs which finished with a poor record each year. That streak came to an end in the year 2017 when he helped lead the offensive line of Eagles, successfully beating New England in Super Bowl. But Philadelphia didn’t pick him up last spring, resulting in him becoming a free agent.
Weeks became months and Wisniewski started doubting if he would ever get a chance to play in the NFL again. Thereafter, injuries made Chiefs reach out to him in the early part of 2019 season. He was starting for the team by December, and played a critical role in how Kansas City rallied three times to when their first Super Bowl in the last 50 years.
Now the same player who used to wonder if he’d ever reach the postseason, possesses the
same number of rings as Ben Roethlisberger, his new teammate!
