Former Steelers Defensive Hero, Super Bowl Star with 335 Tackles Expresses Desire to Return After Being Released from a $21 Million Deal – Ready to Give Up Everything Just to Wear the Team’s Jersey Once More
Just one day after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, veteran safety Juan Thornhill — a Super Bowl champion once regarded as the heart of the defense — has spoken out with emotion. The 30-year-old defender, who has recorded more than
Thornhill, who signed a
“When you wear that jersey, it’s not just football — it’s pride, grit, and history,” Thornhill said in a heartfelt message shared Monday night. “If I had to give up everything I have right now just to be part of that again, I would. I’d do it without hesitation. Because playing for the Steelers isn’t a job — it’s who I am.”
During his time in Pittsburgh, Thornhill played 92% of defensive snaps in the first two games and recorded 38 tackles before being moved to special teams. Despite a difficult stretch, teammates described him as “the heart of the defense,” someone who never stopped mentoring younger players and setting the tone in the locker room.
According to team sources, the Steelers still hold “deep respect” for Thornhill and have not ruled out a potential reunion later in the season if injuries hit the secondary. For now, Thornhill remains a free agent — but his words have already struck a deep chord across Steelers Nation.
Whether or not he returns, one thing is clear: the black and gold still runs through his veins.
This Lightning Off-Season Move Is Already Looking Good
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a bit of a quiet off-season, but they did bring in a handful of new players. One of them was defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous, as the Bolts signed him to a one-year, two-way contract in May.
The Lightning signing D'Astous did not get a ton of attention when it was first announced. Yet, with the way that he has been playing early on this season, there is no question that he is making an impact with the Bolts.
D'Astous started the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Syracuse Crunch, where he posted one goal, two assists, three points, and a plus-3 rating in four games. However, since getting called up to the Lightning's roster, he has been solid.
In eight games this season with the Lightning so far, D'Astous has posted one goal, five points, nine penalty minutes, 11 hits, and a plus-1 rating. This included him recording two assists in the Lightning's most recent matchup against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 8.
With this, D'Astous is proving to be a solid depth addition to the Lightning's roster. If the left-shot blueliner continues to make an impact with his two-way play, he could end up being a complete steal for the Lightning.
Lightning Injury Report: Ryan McDonagh & Anthony Cirelli
The injury bug has been hitting the Tampa Bay Lightning lately, as defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward Anthony Cirelli are both currently sidelined. McDonagh and Cirelli are both very important parts of the Lightning's roster, so the Bolts are undoubtedly looking forward to both players being fully healthy.
Now, injury updates on McDonagh and Cirelli have been provided.
According to Lightning team reporter Benjamin Pierce, McDonagh is still being evaluated following exiting the Bolts' Nov. 8 contest against the Washington Capitals early due to his injury.
Pierce also shared that Cirelli is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and that Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that the key center will be back in the lineup against the New York Rangers on Nov. 12.
McDonagh has been off to a solid start this season with the Lightning, as he has recorded three goals, three assists, six points, 26 blocks, and a plus-1 rating. He was limited to only 6:12 of ice time during the Lightning's most recent matchup against the Capitals due to injury.
Cirelli, on the other hand, missed the Lightning's matchup against the Capitals entirely due to his injury. In 14 games so far this season with the Bolts, the 2015 third-round pick has recorded seven goals, four assists, 11 points, and a plus-6 rating.
