Going against a former team technically shouldn’t factor into a player’s performance, given all the off-season talk about contract negotiations being “just business”. It always does though, and with good reason. Anyone that makes it to the pro level of any sport needs just a touch of crazy in them. It’s required for that extra little push to make it. Even the nicest of guys at that level never forget the smallest of perceived slights and use it to fuel their career. It doesn’t matter if the team drafted them and paid them well, not once they are on the other sideline. Think about all the times you’ve done something extra nice for your significant other. Do they remind you of those good times constantly? I’m betting they do not. What about the times your mouth ran faster than your brain and you said something you regret? The bad things always take top priority in our memory, and players are no different.

Chris Wormley is a good example of this phenomenon. He was a decent depth piece for the Steelers and could provide quality relief snaps for the starters when called upon without killing the team. But, when Wormley played against the Ravens that drafted him, he looked like he was trying to bring back the 70’s Steel Curtain. He would be a completely different player, so much so that I would be drawn to watching only him and not follow the ball like I normally do on a given play. He played those games like a man possessed, but then the next week against a not-the-Ravens team, he was regular old Chris Wormley again, not great, not bad, just kind of there. If he had found that same fire week in and week out, his career could have been vastly different.

One of my favorite Steelers games is when the Rams came to Three Rivers Stadium after the signing of Jerome Bettis. Bettis had many reasons to hold a grudge against the Rams, as the relationship there soured quickly. One statement from the Rams organization was that Bettis was incapable of making big break-away runs for large gains. So, what did he do that day? 19 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns, one of those coming off a 50 yard rip right up the middle. It was a beautiful thing.

1996 Pittsburgh Steelers #HereWeGo

Jerome Bettis rumbles for a TD by running Off Tackle Weak from 22 Personnel I-Formation #RTDB pic.twitter.com/TuEb3SLZ75

— Run The Damn Ball (@Run_TheDamnBall) June 29, 2024

There are several revenge games coming up for the Steelers this season. The Falcons are right out the gate and will see several former players, not to mention a certain former coach turned OC. Motivation will not be lacking there. The very next week will be Russell Wilson returning to Denver, and don’t let his cheerful demeanor and almost too nice persona fool you. There is no doubt he wants to rub some touchdown throws right in Sean Payton’s smug and all too punchable face. The real fireworks kick off later in the season when Patrick Queen gets to visit his old team. He has not been shy about letting the Ravens know how he feels about being here, even saying he took less money to play for the Steelers. I have no idea what will happen, but it’s safe to say Queen will be playing like his hair is on fire and his you-know-what is catching, to paraphrase a line from Charlie Daniels.

After the schedule release, there was much moaning and groaning about how tough it is and how back loaded the end stretch looks. I like to think of Dan Rooney’s quote to James Farrior about the tough 2008 schedule: Looks like we are going to have to win the Super Bowl. I say bring it on. It will be a challenging and exciting year with a team that I feel will be very much improved. The Steelers have taken the steps to get back to the “It’s a big game because we are in it” mindset. Hey, if you can’t be fired up and positive at the start of a new season, why be here at all, right? And remember, revenge is a dish best served cold…on a fall Sunday in Pittsburgh, preferably right after Renegade plays and the stadium is rocking.