At some point, FB Monte Pottebaum was a Pittsburgh Steeler. The subsequent, he was gone. In the summertime of 2023, Pottebaum was the primary “lower” of coaching camp, however it wasn’t the coaches who gave him the pink slip. As an alternative, he selected his personal volition to hold up his cleats and stroll away, retiring days after arriving in Latrobe.
Now, he’s explaining why.
Just lately showing on the SHRP podcast, Pottebaum says his choice was for numerous causes, and one weighing on his thoughts as quickly as he signed with the Steelers following the 2023 NFL Draft. Like many who grasp up their cleats, well being performed a key motive.
“To ensure that me to do [play football], there was some ache that goes with that, and that ache more and more obtained worse and worse as I progressed by school,” he instructed the present. “Acquired to some extent the place anytime I’d hit someone flawed, it could ship simply taking pictures ache down my neck into my fingertips all all through my arm.
“You guys all know what a stinger is, however mainly, it’s like, I want it had the visible impact of breaking your arm or one thing like that. From an outsider wanting in, it appears to be like such as you’re simply being a wuss. However realistically, on the within, it’s like a few of the worst ache possible.”
Pottebaum performed fullback at Iowa earlier than making an attempt his hand on the NFL, signing with the Steelers as a part of their small undrafted class following their 2023 picks. He earned native notoriety for his mullet, his throwback place, and enjoying for an Iowa crew with the identical philosophy, to not point out jerseys, because the Steelers. Although his odds had been lengthy, Pittsburgh had simply parted methods with FB Derek Watt, doubtlessly opening the door to somebody like Pottebaum. Our scouting report outlined the particular groups path that might permit him to compete for a spot.
However he retired after three days of camp follow earlier than the pads had been on. He determined to stroll away fairly than play under his expectations and the NFL’s rigorous calls for.
“Simply couldn’t do away with these [injuries], and I felt prefer it was affecting my play. And I used to be desirous about it whereas I used to be enjoying on the sector, and I couldn’t be me after I was on the sector anymore. And that took some pleasure out of the sport as effectively.”
An Iowa boy by and thru from the small city of Larchwood, inhabitants lower than 1,000, packing up and heading out East to Pittsburgh was a severe life change. One which additionally weighed on him because the bodily toll mounted.
“I obtained three nieces and nephews that I don’t see. And household and pals and no person’s getting youthful, and it’s similar to, I felt extra like I’d take pleasure in life extra being across the those who I like fairly than chasing some cash.”
Pottebaum additionally described the unpleasantness of dwelling out of a lodge throughout his time with the Steelers, a suitcase life, as an alternative of having fun with the creature comforts of being house. It’s widespread for rookies and younger gamers to start their time with a brand new crew in a lodge, not making sufficient cash to lease an condo and in no place to commit and purchase a home within the space.
His religion additionally known as him to surrender any soccer goals and return to Iowa.
“Anyone to look in from the skin could be like, what? This man’s obtained the whole lot that he has ever needed. He’s enjoying for his childhood crew. He’s gonna make some huge cash, doubtlessly. Do all these nice issues. However realistically, on the within, I wasn’t feeling that means and wasn’t having any peace about the place I used to be heading. I form of thought that by a couple of various things that God was form of calling me house.”
Now, he’s gotten into teaching on the native line. He’s again at his alma mater at West Lyon Excessive Faculty, the place he describes himself as a “huge morale man” for the crew. It’s paying off. His crew went undefeated within the common season and picked up a blowout first-round playoff win Friday night time, toppling Garner-Hayfield Ventura 42-0. It may not be an NFL Sunday, however Friday night time soccer in Iowa is fairly darn near dwelling the dream.
