Former Steelers Center Detailed How Being Drafted By Pittsburgh Almost Ruined His Career: 'Worst Thing For Me'

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected center A.Q. Shipley in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. A hometown talent, Shipley attended high school at Moon Area located in Pennsylvania. He signed a three-year contract worth $1.22 million, but was waived just a couple of months later. Two days after being waived, he was signed to the Steelers' practice squad. Although Shipley never played a regular season game with the Steelers, he spent some time with the team.

After his stints on the practice squads of the Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, Shipley got an opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts, where he eventually played his first NFL game. Over his career, he spent eight seasons on an active NFL roster and started in 72 games.

Shipley recently joined the NetWorth with Justin Pugh podcast, where he discussed his career journey. He shared that being drafted by the Steelers, while initially exciting, was not ultimately beneficial for his NFL career. Despite his roots in the area and playing college football at Penn State, he found his professional success elsewhere.

“It was a dream come true. It was like, that’s where I wanted to be. Mike Webster was the epitome of, when I become a center that’s where I want to be. And then you got all the history of Pittsburgh centers with Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson and then Jeff Hartings before that when they won the Super Bowl. And I get and I’m like, ‘Oh this is gonna be great.’ And then it was the worst thing for me."

For some athletes, being drafted by their hometown team is the perfect recipe for success. The support of familiar faces and the comfort of a known environment can be incredibly beneficial. However, for others, like Shipley, thriving requires stepping away from home and forging their own path.

"I’m back home, I’m back home in a comfortable environment, I’m back home around my family, I can kind of lean on them. And I’m one of the guys that like, I do best when I’m away from everything. When you put me in a dungeon and I have to focus on something, that’s when I do best.”

Shipley found that being too close to his family and familiar surroundings made him too comfortable, which may have hindered his early career development. When he moved to different teams, he faced new challenges and opportunities that pushed him to grow as a player. 

This shift away from his comfort zone was pivotal in his career, allowing him to focus more on his professional development and less on the distractions of home.

Steelers Drafted A Semi-Local Center In 2024

The Steelers made big waves in the 2024 draft, addressing one of their biggest needs at center. In the second round, they were fortunate to get their desired pick without giving up any assets. They selected Zach Frazier, who played college football in Morgantown, West Virginia. Morgantown is just over an hour's drive from Acrisure Stadium, making Frazier a quasi-hometown talent.

While Frazier isn't technically a Pittsburgh native, he grew up close enough to count as a local. This proximity means his family will be nearby, potentially providing a strong support system. It will be interesting to see if he thrives with the benefit of having his family close or if, like Shipley, he might find greater success being more independent.

Frazier arrives with considerable hype and is expected to help anchor the Steelers' offensive line for many seasons to come. His development and adjustment to the NFL will be closely watched, and fans are hopeful he can make an immediate impact. With his talent and the support of those around him, Frazier has the potential to be a cornerstone of the Steelers' offensive line.