Pat Freiermuth: From a Die-Hard Patriots Fan to Pittsburgh’s Own Tight End
In the world of professional sports, the relationship between a player and the city that they represent can often be one of deep reverence and connection. It’s a bond that goes beyond just wearing a jersey; it becomes a part of their identity, and for Pat Freiermuth, tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers, his journey to finding a home in Pittsburgh has been nothing short of transformational.
A Family of Patriots Fans
Pat Freiermuth’s story begins in the sports-rich culture of New England. Born and raised in the Boston area, Freiermuth was part of a family that lived and breathed Boston sports, particularly the New England Patriots. For years, his world revolved around the Patriots dynasty. From Tom Brady’s legendary comeback victories to Bill Belichick’s strategic brilliance, Freiermuth had seen it all. His childhood memories are filled with the triumphs of the Patriots, and as the years went on, he became just as fervent a fan as his family.
“The Boston sports scene is incredible,” Pat says with a smile, reflecting on his upbringing. “There’s a reason why so many people are loyal to that city’s teams, particularly the Patriots. The success, the championships, the culture—it’s just ingrained in you from the start.”
His family, of course, was no exception. Freiermuth’s parents, siblings, and extended family were all about the Patriots. And while Freiermuth may have had a love for the team, his destiny lay in a different direction. When he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, it was a surreal moment for the young tight end. Though he had spent most of his life rooted in Boston’s sports culture, Pat Freiermuth was about to step into one of the most storied franchises in the NFL.
The Transition from Boston to Pittsburgh
It’s one thing to watch a team on TV, another to play for them. And for Freiermuth, joining the Steelers meant more than simply changing teams. It meant moving to a new city with a different fan base, a new locker room, and an entirely new culture. “It was funny when I first got to Pittsburgh,” Freiermuth admits. “I was still texting with my boys, and it was a Patriots fan group chat. They were all still talking about the Patriots like I was one of them.”
The group chat, initially an outlet for Freiermuth to stay connected with his lifelong friends, quickly became a reflection of his dual identity. It was full of fervent discussions about the Pats, Bill Belichick’s latest decision, and what the rookie class looked like. Meanwhile, Freiermuth was starting to get a taste of what it meant to be part of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The pride of the Steel City, which had always seemed distant to him, was now becoming more and more real.
“I’d be on these texts and they’d ask me, ‘How’s Tomlin? Is he cool?’” Freiermuth recalls with a chuckle. “But after a while, I wasn’t even responding to them anymore. They’d just keep talking about the Patriots’ rookies or whatever. And I’m thinking to myself, ‘This isn’t me anymore.’”
That’s when Freiermuth made the decision. He left the group chat and, as he says, “cut ties” with his Patriots fandom. “I told them, ‘Alright, you guys need to start a new Patriots group. I can’t do this anymore.’” But Freiermuth didn’t just distance himself from his past; he started to pull his friends into the fold of Steelers Nation.
Converting the Patriots Fans
Over time, Freiermuth’s friends began to come around. They began to take notice of the steel-clad mentality of Pittsburgh football and the pride the city had for its team. “Within two seasons, these guys were wearing Steelers gear,” Freiermuth explains. “They were out there in Boston, in Patriots territory, rocking Pat Freiermuth and T.J. Watt jerseys. They were taking so much heat, but they loved it. They were all in.”
It’s a testament to the power of Pittsburgh’s football culture and its appeal. Even the most die-hard Patriots fans—who grew up watching and idolizing Tom Brady—couldn’t help but feel the gravitational pull of Steelers Nation. To Freiermuth, it was a clear sign that Pittsburgh was more than just a football team; it was a way of life, a culture that people couldn’t help but fall in love with once they experienced it firsthand.
What Pittsburgh Means to Pat Freiermuth
When Pat Freiermuth signed his contract extension with the Steelers in 2024, it wasn’t just a professional milestone. It was a culmination of a journey that had begun when he was drafted, but truly started to take shape as he embraced the city and the franchise. For Freiermuth, wearing the black and gold isn’t just about representing a team; it’s about honoring the legacy of the tight ends who came before him.
“The names of the guys who played before me—they still ring out every time I touch the ball,” Freiermuth says with reverence. “When you say ‘Muth,’ you’re saying Heath Miller. You’re saying David Johnson, Jesse James, Vance McDonald, and all the rest of the guys who did the dirty work in the trenches. They laid the foundation for what it means to be a tight end in Pittsburgh, and every time I make a catch, it’s like an homage to those guys.”
For Freiermuth, wearing the Steelers jersey isn’t just about catching touchdowns and putting up stats. It’s about carrying on the tradition of the position—one that has been marked by gritty, hard-nosed football. Tight ends in Pittsburgh have always had to be versatile, tough, and unafraid to do the dirty work. It’s a position that demands more than just athleticism; it requires heart, determination, and an understanding of what the city of Pittsburgh stands for.
The Steel City’s Unique Charm
Pittsburgh, as Freiermuth has come to learn, is different. It’s a city built on hard work, grit, and a sense of pride that extends well beyond the football field. “Boston is Boston, but Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh,” Freiermuth says, smiling knowingly. “There’s just something about this place that’s different. It’s like an unspoken bond between the city and the team.”
Pittsburgh isn’t just about the six Super Bowl trophies, or the iconic Terrible Towel. It’s about the fans who show up to every game, rain or shine, and cheer on their team with an unmatched intensity. It’s about the blue-collar mentality that defines both the city and the franchise. Freiermuth, who once called Boston home, has now embraced this unique culture and made it his own.
The Steelers’ fanbase, which has long been known as one of the most passionate and loyal in the NFL, has a way of making every player feel like part of a larger family. As Freiermuth steps onto the field at Heinz Field (or as it’s known now, Acrisure Stadium), he knows that the 68,000 fans in attendance aren’t just there to watch a game—they’re there to be part of something bigger. The energy in the stadium is palpable, and every play is met with the roar of a fanbase that lives and breathes Steelers football.
A Future in Pittsburgh
Freiermuth’s future in Pittsburgh seems bright. As one of the Steelers’ key players on offense, he’s already established himself as one of the league’s most reliable tight ends. His chemistry with quarterback Kenny Pickett is beginning to flourish, and the two are expected to be a focal point of the Steelers’ offense for years to come.
But for Freiermuth, it’s not just about the football. It’s about the legacy he’s building in a city that has embraced him as one of their own. He knows that he’s part of a rich history of players who’ve worn the black and gold with pride. And as he looks ahead to the future, Freiermuth is committed to continuing that legacy.
“I feel so fortunate to be here,” Freiermuth says, his eyes lighting up. “I know what my job means. I know who came before me. I’ll always be thankful for this city, for these fans, and for the chance to wear this jersey. And I’m
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