Art Rooney Reportedly Overruled Team From Drafting Dont’a Hightower In 2012

[Shoes]

David DeCastro has been one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ best first round picks over the last decade. But he very nearly didn’t become a Steeler. At least, that’s according to this draft-day nugget tweeted out by NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala. Pittsburgh was apparently set on drafting Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower at #24 back in 2012. But Team President Art Rooney II stepped in and compelled Kevin Colbert/Mike Tomlin to instead choose DeCastro.

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/02/ar...tower-in-2012/

[86WARD]

DeCastro was the better choice imo.

[Shoes]

DeCastro was the better choice imo.

Agreed.

[Edman]

Context: It was after Bruce Arians was let go and Ben was coming off a season where his ankle was torn apart.

Decastro was absolutely the right choice.

[Fire Goodell]

Dont’a do it!!

[st33lersguy]

Decastro was also a major steal who was supposed to be gone in the 1st half of Rd 1

[BlackAndGold]

Most of us expected Hightower but none of us thought DeCastro would be there at #24. He was a projected top 10 pick.