Former Steeler Brett Keisel goes from 2-time Super Bowl champion to dedicated hockey dad

By: Triblive
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | 10:46 AM

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For 13 seasons, Brett Keisel helped anchor the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

Now the towering 6-foot-5, two-time Super Bowl champion can be found in the stands at hockey rinks throughout Western Pennsylvania, cheering on his three children.

“I fell in love with hockey coming to Pittsburgh,” Keisel said. “I never once watched a hockey game. I never once skated. I didn’t know anything about hockey until I came to Pittsburgh, and they drafted this kid who wore No. 87, named Sidney Crosby.

“I started paying attention. There was all this hoopla about this kid.”

Keisel started attending games to see Crosby play with team owner Mario Lemieux.

Then-Penguins president David Morehouse gave Keisel a bag of gear for his then 5-year-old son to get started with in youth hockey.

Keisel’s son Jacob now plays for the Quaker Valley varsity ice hockey team.

In addition to Jacob, now 15, Keisel’s younger children Grace, 13, and William, 11, also participated in the Penguins’ learn-to-play hockey initiative that Crosby spearheads.

“I live in the rink. All I do is drive kids to hockey games,” Keisel said. “I’ve learned how to skate. I’ve done a little bit of coaching. I love this sport.”

The former Steelers defensive end, who retired in 2015, joined Trib HSSN broadcaster Matt Vandriak during intermission of the Quakers’ PIHL Class A quarterfinal game against Greensburg Salem on Monday night at RMU Island Sports Center. The Golden Lions won 2-0.

Tags: Quaker Valley