The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, and in the last column of one of the most historic writers sports journalism has ever had, two players received shoutouts.
Those players were Cam Heyward and Charlie Batch.
For the last time, fans will get to read Peter King's Football Morning in America column, which has shaped generations of football fans. Now, he's saying goodbye, hanging up his keyboard and announcing his semi-retirement with one final piece.
"Who’s complaining? Not me. I’m the luckiest man on the face of the earth. To be a long-termer in an increasingly short-term business, to write this column for 27 years and to be a sportswriter for 44, well, that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Truly, I’ve loved it all," King wrote.
In his final story, King gave praise to Heyward and Batch, putting both players on his "Mr. Nice Guys" list of the best players he's covered during his career.
"His work with the needy in hardscrabble areas of Pittsburgh is inspirational. Should write a book on how players, even non-superstar players, can make a huge difference in their hometowns," King wrote about Batch.
"Genuine and thoughtful, while being a beast between the lines. He’s arranged for each male student in 11 Pittsburgh high schools—many indigent kids—to get a free suit during their high school years," he then wrote about Heyward.
King has always had plenty of insight on the Steelers - even as of late. He's spoken about Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II, has been involved in reports in how they were going to find Ben Roethlisberger's replacement, and to this day, has stirred the pot in Pittsburgh by letting fans know he voted for Myles Garrett over T.J. Watt as Defensive Player of the Year.
King was a regular at training camp for the Steelers, with every young journalist trying to pick his brain during his one day in Latrobe. Now, the National Sports Media Association Sportswriter Hall of Famer and former McCann Award-winner - since remained to the Bill Nunn Award, is off to retirement, and there will be no shortage of congratulations from those who read his work.
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