By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

 

            Many Steelers players did the same thing last night that football fans across the country did. They watched the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers play on Monday Night Football.

 

            And it wasn’t because there was a strong interest in either team. It’s just natural for them to watch. It’s a game that everyone watches. It’s when all eyes are on one game. The two teams playing are the center of the football universe for a night.

 

            “I would dare say 95 percent of all players watch Monday Night Football, especially when it’s a good game,” said running back Jerome Bettis. “Monday night is a great opportunity to see the other guys around the league.”

 

            Come next Monday, the Steelers won’t be sitting home watching the game. They will be playing when they travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers on Monday Night Football.

 

            They didn’t have a Monday Night game last year, so for some players it’s their first opportunity to play in the game, others their first start and for veterans it’s one of many Monday Night games they’ve played in.

            But for all of them, it’s special.

 

            “It’s my first Monday Night game,” said cornerback Ricardo Colclough. “As a kid growing up you watch Monday Night Football and you see the things going on and the excitement. As far as this game coming up, I’m excited about it.”

 

            Fellow cornerback Ike Taylor will make his first Monday Night football start next week. And you don’t need to ask him twice. He definitely is ready for some football.

 

            “No question, no question. I am so excited,” said Taylor. “I can’t even explain to you how excited I am right now. When the time comes, I will be ready. I am just going to enjoy myself on the field.

 

             “Everybody is watching. The whole world is watching. When you were small, that’s what I did, watch Monday Night Football. Now I have the opportunity to play and start on Monday night. You can’t ask for anything better than that.”

 

            Bettis has played in numerous Monday Night games in his career. He is hoping to return to the field for the first time this season for the game. And he couldn’t ask for a better time to make it back out there.

 

“It’s the setting, the drama,” said Bettis as to why it is special. “You have one game that day. You are the only game on. The whole country gets the opportunity to see you. It’s one time on the stage where you can showcase what you can do. Everything heightens. In becomes, in essence, a playoff game in the regular season.  That’s what makes it so special.”

 

Winning the game is the number one priority for all of the players, but there is that added incentive to have a strong game for the players since they know friends, family, and just about everyone else will be watching.

 

            “An interception to the house; a big hit to cause a fumble. Either of those and I’m talking turkey,” said Taylor. “I would love that. We’ll see in the game when the time comes. I always tell myself before the game I need to do something spectacular. Hopefully I can do something spectacular.”

 

**Team Pass members can watch exclusive interviews with some of the players talking about their Monday Night Football experiences.