Tre Norwood fitting in with the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin knew exactly what he was doing when he selected safety Tre Norwood in the seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft. Tomlin described Norwood as a “Swiss Army Knife” when he announced his selection, declaring exactly what his newest player would bring to the Steelers’ defence.
Norwood could not have been any happier with the description.
“I take a lot of pride in that,” said Norwood, via Steelers.com. “That is one of the main things I have always prided myself on in college. First, it’s the mental aspect of understanding every position in the back end, what is going on there. Just being able to have the ability and mental capability to not only go out there and play the positions, but do it at a high level, be productive, and contribute to the team is something I take huge pride in and I will continue to take pride in.
Norwood is a versatile young player who has the ability to play multiple positions which should help him throughout his NFL career.
“I feel like it helps me a lot that I am not a one-dimensional guy. Any position on the back end I can play and do it at a high level. Any position I need to play on the back end to help the team get to the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, that is what I am there for.”
Norwood provides Tomlin with more options in defence and could become a really important member of the Steelers’ organization. While some players find it difficult to play and learn multiple positions, Norwood embraces the challenge.
“I don’t look at it as challenging,” said Norwood. “It’s something I intentionally wanted to do when I got to college. Once I had the opportunity to do it, I took pride in it. I look at it as more opportunity. I am blessed to be able to do that, to be able to move around on the back end and play all of the positions.”
The 22-year-old had been a crucial piece to Oklahoma during his time in the NCAA, but is ready to prove that he can get it done at the highest level.
“It’s something I dreamed of since I was a little kid,” said Norwood of playing in the NFL. “I know the other guys did as well, the hard work we put in, for it to come to life means so much.
“I love playing football. It started when I was young. Both of my parents played sports when they were young and introduced me to sports at a young age. My parents never forced me to play sports, they just supported me. It’s something I loved, and it grew as I got older.
“The love is out the roof and will only continue to grow. I just love playing this game.”
Despite winning the North Division, the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs in the Wild Card Round last year by the Cleveland Browns and will be looking to go further in 2021.
