Win after win for the Steelers and for kids in our region: Details here.

Photo above of students in a program at YBMKQ courtesy of KDKA-TV.

Lots of local kids are Steeler fans, and when they get to meet one of the players, it’s a big deal. But for some students, that’s just a side benefit of the charitable work many Steeler players do in Western Pennsylvania.

Eleven high school football players from across Western Pennsylvania were honored for their leadership at the Steeler’s last home game of the regular season. The players were named to the “Steelers All-Peer Team” through a partnership of the Mentoring Partnership, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Steelers.

The goal of the program is to empower young people to see themselves as mentors to others their age.

This years high school player winners got to meet Russell Wilson and several other players, and even spent time throwing a football with T.J. Watt. Each school represented on the team got a $1,000 donation for their athletic department, as well.

In addition to the “All-Peer Team” program, 37 non-profits are getting grants thanks to the Pittsburgh Steeler players and organization. The players recently presented checks totaling $516,000 to organizations they chose to support.

The money is donated by the players themselves, and then matched by the organization. The largest donations came from Cam Heyward, who gave $100,000, and Russell Wilson, who gave $50,000.

One area of focus for the Steelers Social Justice Fund is youth development. Player DeShon Elliott chose to support the non-profit Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens (YBMKQ) in Penn Hills. The fund also supports programs for juvenile justice, homelessness, community and police relations and food insecurity.

“The greatest part is that our players select the charities that they want to contribute to,” says Blayre Holmes-Davis, the Steelers’ senior director of community relations. “We give them suggestions, but our players are really active in the community, starting from the beginning of the season — sometimes off season as well. So they’re able to build those relationships.”

Players Elandon Roberts supported the group “Healthy Start,” including hosting a baby shower for 50 local expectant moms. And the Steelers Social Justice Committee, which started in 2018, has contributed almost $3 million to more than 80 charities, primarily in the Pittsburgh region.