PDA

View Full Version : Former Pittsburgh Steelers FS Chris Hope Speaks to BTSC



stillers4me
05-15-2012, 10:19 AM
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/pittsburgh-steelers) in the 3rd round, 94th overall selection of the 2002 draft, Chris Hope began his NFL career that currently extends to 10 seasons. Ten seasons. Wow. It sure doesn't seem that long ago that the fierce tandem (arguably the best in the NFL during this time) of Troy Polamalu (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1626/troy-polamalu) and Chris Hope sealed a secondary of the best defense in football.
I was fortunate to interview Chris for BTSC and I have to tell you; rarely will you meet an athlete who speaks so openly, freely and passionately about football, his Charity organization (iCHopeFund) and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg
I approached this interview not to discuss the X's and O's but rather as a fan who always wondered... "What exactly is 'The Steelers Way" and how do players really feel when this or that occurs. I know I tend to glamorize what it must be like to be a Steeler. What the locker room is like. What it feels like to leave someplace.. and the people you've grown to love; your brothers. Chris Hope told me like it is. Join me for a candid discussion about the draft, his relationships, his philosophies and what he took with him from his Pittsburgh experience.The Draft of 2002Chris was drafted with Kendall Simmons (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1631/kendall-simmons), Antwaan Randle El (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1560/antwaan-randle-el), Larry Foote (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1596/larry-foote) and Brett Keisel (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1609/brett-keisel), just to name a few. Pretty good company to keep. I have visions of players waiting anxiously for the call to come and in walks the Rooney family with (at that time) Bill Cowher carrying a tray with a contract and big glass of Black and Gold Koolaid. I share this vision with Hope...............

Read more @ http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/5/15/3021439/pittsburgh-steelers-chris-hope-tennessee-titans-super-bowl-xl-new-england-patriots-seattle-seahawks

suitanim
05-15-2012, 10:25 AM
Nice read.

crcsnail
05-15-2012, 10:44 AM
very nice read . one of the players i have always kept track on when he left the steelers.

Butch
05-15-2012, 11:12 AM
Chris was a helluva player when he was here. I likened him and Troy to Lake and Woodson. Wish he would have stayed in the burgh but I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

ALLD
05-15-2012, 02:41 PM
The big question is would the CB coverage have dropped off so rapidly if he stayed? Were the huge hits by Ryan Clark enough to give up coverage in the secondary? I think those stunning KOs to Welker and McGahee are historical highlights.

SteelMember
05-15-2012, 07:08 PM
Some players are "professionals"... others just get paid like 'em.

After reading that article, it's pretty evident where Hope fits.