Football definition. Mike Tomlin’s favorite phrase. And maybe that’s why CB Corey Trice’s interception against the Denver Broncos was one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ favorite moments of the young season. Tomlin commented on Trice’s first big play on the weekly Mike Tomlin Show.
“That’s what we call the definition of football.” Tomlin told host Bob Pompeiani: “This guy has been through a lot and a lot of challenges, a lot of people have, especially with injuries. But we all respected the level of maturity and commitment he showed in coming back to us. This guy lost his rookie year to a serious injury. Last Sunday was his second game in the National Football League. And he did nothing but act like that.”
Trice’s story is well known. He’s suffered multiple serious and/or season-ending injuries. He broke his ankle in high school. He tore his ACL in college and tore it again last year during the Steelers’ first padded practice. That left his NFL future uncertain. But he rehabbed and was cleared in training camp, but the team let him back in. He’s had his fair share of struggles off the field, too, losing his father to gun violence as a child.
Trice, who started the season as the team’s top backup corner, replaced CB Donte Jackson in the second half against the Broncos after Jackson was shaken up after a 49-yard catch from WR Josh Reynolds, putting Denver in scoring range for the first time all day. Trice broke the Broncos’ momentum and made a read and pick on QB Bo Nix in the end zone, which was the game-changing moment.
“That play was great,” Tomlin said. “He knew, he had the quarterback in his sights. He realized the action was coming from the other side of the field, got deep, found the job, and made a good interception. That’s what veteran players do every day.”
Understanding the route concept, finding the ball, and playing hard in zone coverage to make plays. In one of the lowest scoring Steelers games in recent memory, the moment was monumental as the team combined for 19 points, the lowest since 2015. And after fooling Pittsburgh with a trick play, they stole everything Denver thought they could make.
It was a good moment for Trice, but the next box he needs to check is to do it again. That’s building up to big plays. As a top backup corner, he’ll have to come off the bench cold and be ready at a moment’s notice. He’s wise beyond his years and has shown that he can do it with the maturity of someone who’s overcome a lot in his younger years.
