I thought the Steelers frowned upon people recording things at training camp and then posting what they recorded on social media.

In fact, I know the Steelers frown upon that sort of thing; I remember when training camp was held at Heinz Field in 2021 and the message the organization put on the scoreboard imploring fans not to record their plays and post them on Twitter, Facebook, etc.

I stuck up for the people and was very critical of the Steelers for being that way. I mocked them for their self-importance. I made fun of the notion that any opponent would need extra help to stop that horrific, inept and boring offense.

Were the people on my side? Nope, instead, I read things like, “Shut up, baldy.” “All teams have this policy, cueball.” “Why don’t you grow some hair, no-hair boy!”

Just a bunch of stuff about being bald.

Anyway, I’m now on the Steelers’ side when it comes to not wanting fans to record stuff at training camp, and that’s because of the things I read on Twitter (currently known as X) after one day of non-padded practices at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.

I won’t get into specific social media reactions and quotes from fans, but apparently, Justin Fields will be the new Lamar Jackson and win the 2024 NFL MVP after rolling around and hitting receiver Van Jefferson with a perfectly thrown pass down the left sideline during one play on Thursday afternoon.

Also, inside linebacker Payton Wilson, the third-round pick from NC State, is going to be the next Brian Cushing (okay, maybe not him, since I heard he was a bit of a jerk), Ray Lewis (well, okay, we’d all sign up for that kind of career for the rookie sans those allegations), or Ryan Shazier. Why such lofty hopes for the rookie Wilson? Because he exploded through the hole during a play and got all up on the quarterback before the quarterback even knew what hit him.

Of course, nobody hit the quarterback, who I believe was Kyle Allen (the quarterback, not the actor), because it was a non-padded practice. Heck, even if it was a padded practice, Wilson wouldn’t have been allowed to hit Allen (although, he likely would have gotten away with it since it was Kyle Allen). However, someone would have been allowed to hit Wilson as he exploded through the hole.

OK, I get it, Wilson’s closing speed was jaw-dropping during that play, and I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t the rookie draft pick I’m most excited to see do his thing during the preseason (no offense to Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier). But it’s like what Jerome Bettis once said: “It ain’t no fun when the rabbit gets the gun.” In this case, the rabbit is hitting (or maybe the gun is hitting), and football is a lot different when guys like Fautanu and Frazier are intent on blocking you into next week as you try to explode through that hole.

Yes, the pass Fields threw was nice, but that’s the type of play all talented quarterbacks make during their pro days. Nobody gets hit during their pro days, either, but the social media reactions are similar to what we saw on Thursday when Fields found Jefferson, who may not even have been hand-checked by a cornerback as he ran down the sideline.

Why am I being such a fuddy-duddy? Because I’m old now. Three years ago, when I was an innocent, young 49-year-old, I was on the side of the people. Now, as a 52-year-old, I’m siding with the establishment.

Let’s let the establishment establish some things while wearing pads and being hit by teammates wearing pads before we form firm opinions on anything that happens at Steelers training camp.

In the meantime, put those eyeball emojis back in your head.