New dad Mitchell Trubisky enjoying family time, youth camp and promising start in Pittsburgh
Jun. 14—Among the 150 kids at the Mitchell Trubisky Youth Camp — which runs June 13 to 15 at Mentor — there's a large number, mostly those in first, second and third grade, who just can't get enough of one of the Cardinals' most famous alums.
Whether they are running routes as fast as they can, hoping for a perfect spiral from their Mentor hero, or asking him to sign any and everything after each day's session, Trubisky is like that big brother everyone loves.
Perhaps one day when he's old enough, Trubisky and his wife Hillary's newborn son — Hudson, who's five weeks old — will be running around at his dad's youth football camp.
The thought of that brought a smile to Trubisky's face June 14, the second day of the camp. In a few days, Trubisky will be celebrating his first father's day. Then, in less that two months, he will compete for the Steelers' starting quarterback spot in training camp.
Trubisky signed with Pittsburgh on a two-year, $20 million deal and just completed eight OTA practices and a three-day minicamp.
After spending the 2021 season as the backup to Josh Allen in Buffalo — a season he said was a "reset" year — and now a father for the first time, it's safe to say 2022 is shaping up as a promising one.
"It's incredible," said Trubisky about fatherhood. "Played in some big games, played sports my whole life, but nothing compares to being a dad and looking at your son every morning. Spending time with my wife — she's an incredible mother. Looking forward to my first father's day."
.@Mtrubisky10 at Day 2 of the Mitchell Trubisky Youth Camp talking about what giving back to the football program means to him. @MentorRedline @MentorAthletics @NHPreps #Steelers pic.twitter.com/xO4Umvn6QK
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) June 14, 2022
When Trubisky joined the NFL five years ago as the No. 2 overall pick of the Bears in 2017, he made a point in his first offseason to begin giving back to the Mentor football program. That meant lending his name to the camp and making his presence felt every summer in his hometown. It's not something he takes lightly.
"I think it means a lot to (the kids) with me being in the NFL but I don't think they know it means even more to me — being able to share this game that I love," said Trubisky. "To me, this is fun. This isn't work out here."
When he was a sixth-grader, Trubisky was the ball boy for Mentor's football team. His hero was former Mentor QB Bart Tanski, who led the team to back-to-back appearances in the Division I state championship game and like Trubisky, was a Mr. Football Award winner.
Just last week, Trubisky connected with his hero from way back. Tanski visited Steelers minicamp to watch Trubisky in practice. Tanski is in his third season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Robert Morris, a university located in the Pittsburgh area.
In the grind of camp season it was good to step out of it for a day and see @Mtrubisky10 in action!!#OnceACard pic.twitter.com/8ASgoGil3M
— Bart Tanski (@FlashTanski) June 7, 2022
"It was cool for him to be at practice and catch up," said Trubisky. "Bart was my guy growing up."
It might be the other way around in 2022. The talk of the summer in Pittsburgh will no doubt be who is next in line to replace future Hall of Famer and longtime Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Trubisky will be competing with Mason Rudolph and Steelers No. 1 draft pick Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh for the starter's spot.
A starter has yet to be officially named but June 14, Trubisky talked like a QB fully expecting to be the Steelers' guy once training camp begins.
"I feel I've landed in a great spot," said Trubisky. "Looking forward to training camp, competing, getting back on the field and helping this team win. Told (the team) from Day 1, I'm just coming in and being myself. It's tough to come in and be the guy after a Hall of Famer. But I'm throwing the ball better than I ever have, and I'm confident in my game and picking up the offense."
If Trubisky is the Steelers' starter, there will be a countdown in Mentor to Sept. 22. That's Week 3, when the Browns host Pittsburgh on a Thursday night.
"I've thought about it a little bit," said Trubisky about that date. "I'm definitely looking forward to it. I'm more worried about how many tickets we have to get for the family members."
The last time Trubisky played a game at the home of the Browns was in 2010 when it was Cleveland Browns Stadium. It was a notable game for Trubisky against St. Edward that afternoon.
"I threw my first-ever (varsity) touchdown pass," he said.
It's all starting feel very real for Trubisky with the regular season fast-approaching.
"The AFC North, that's the division I grew up watching," said Trubisky. "Can't wait to be a part of it."
