During an appearance on Cam Heyward 's Not Just Football podcast, former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron shared a hilarious story on how Mike Tomlin recruited him to Pittsburgh in 2020.
"I had just got out of a bad relationship with Indy. I believe I deserved the contract after I scored f***ing 15 touchdowns and took us to the playoffs. We just never saw eye to eye. So Mike T calls me, 'What the f*** are you doing in Indy?' Exact words, verbatim. I'm like, what are you talking about? He goes, 'Man, that dude up there does not like your guts.' I go, no shit. I probably wouldn't like me either, right?
'This is what I'm going to do for you, this is what I'm going to do for you — two years and we got you.' I was like I'm coming to Pittsburgh. Like it was that simple. Just the way he approaches, the way he talks to you as a person and not a player. That took me straight to Pittsburgh."
Tomlin's ability to relate to players and earn their respect has been a mainstay for him throughout his coaching career. A Fox Sports survey in 2025 revealed that draft prospects wanted to play for Tomlin the most among head coaches in the NFL.
With Tomlin no longer in Pittsburgh, it will be interesting to see what kind of effect it has on free agency and player relationships.
Ebron played eight seasons in the NFL. Four seasons with the Detroit Lions (2014-17), two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2018-19) and two seasons with the Steelers (2020-21).
Ebron revealed to Heyward that he wished he was a Steeler from the start.
"I wish that was my starting point," Ebron said. "Pittsburgh, what you guys go there, how it was implemented, for people who will never get to experience it — and I talk to people like Mike Wallace and people that have been there — dawg, it's the greatest organization, greatest teammates. Phenomenal."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Eric Ebron Tells Hilarious Story on How Mike Tomlin Recruited Him to Steelers
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