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Former Steelers Rival Fred Taylor Gives Credit To Pittsburgh For Making Him Better
Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Former Steelers Rival Fred Taylor Gives Credit To Pittsburgh For Making Him Better

Originally posted on Steeler Nation
By Anthony G. Halkias II  |  Last updated 4/25/24

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a storied history filled with intense matchups, and some of the most memorable non-AFC North battles of the last decade have been against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Among the standout players in these clashes was the formidable running back, Fred Taylor. Over the span of 11 games against the Steelers, Taylor left an indelible mark with his impressive stats: 215 carries for 934 yards and a remarkable nine touchdowns.

However, Taylor's connection with the Steelers transcends mere on-field competition. In recent years, he has forged a strong bond with the franchise, as evidenced by his partnership with former Steelers safety Ryan Clark on their popular podcast The Pivot. Through this platform, Taylor has openly expressed his admiration for the Steelers, going so far as to confess his desire to have donned the black and gold himself.

His affinity for the Steelers isn't confined to podcast banter; Taylor frequently takes to social media to profess his admiration for the franchise. On Tuesday, he eloquently articulated his love for the Steelers and paid homage to legends like Troy Polamalu, showcasing the enduring impact of the Steelers' legacy on players both past and present.

Taylor stands out among the few rivals unafraid to acknowledge the Steelers organization. While the Jaguars may not be considered the biggest rivals of the Steelers, they certainly aren't a team Pittsburgh fans would typically support. Moreover, as a team that has eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs in the past, they're regarded as an AFC adversary.

On Tuesday, Taylor further demonstrated his respect for the Steelers by sharing another message on social media. This time, he spotlighted his close friend Clark for a noteworthy play.

The notion of Taylor potentially joining the Steelers was initially perceived as a move to cap off his career in Pittsburgh. He made it clear that the Steelers were one of the teams he hoped to play for. However, fate had a different plan, leading him to sign with another team he held in high regard, the New England Patriots. 

During his two seasons with the Patriots, Taylor's contributions were modest, tallying just four touchdowns. His role in their offense was relatively minor, reflecting the later stage of his career. Nonetheless, his hypothetical addition to the Steelers at that time would have likely mirrored his role in New England.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Was A Big Reason Fred Taylor Wanted To Play For Pittsburgh

It's widely acknowledged that Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin holds a prominent status across the NFL. His reputation was further solidified when he was voted by Pro Bowl members as one of the coaches they would most desire to play for in an anonymous poll. Throughout the league, players often express their admiration and respect for Tomlin, often in a lighthearted and humorous manner. As a true leader of men, he commands the respect of many within the football community.

A noteworthy episode unfolded when Tomlin appeared on Taylor and Clark's podcast over a year ago. During the discussion, they humorously recounted how Tomlin never reached out to Taylor when the latter expressed interest in playing for the Steelers. While said in jest, the anecdote revealed Taylor's genuine admiration for Tomlin and his fondness for the Steelers franchise.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

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