After rainout last year, Steelers players embrace return of Friday Night Lights practice

On a day when the temperature reached the mid-80s and the Pittsburgh Steelers put the pads in storage, coach Mike Tomlin gave several of his veteran players the day off.

Perhaps Tomlin wanted to have everybody available for one of the most anticipated practices of the year: the annual Friday Night Lights session at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

The 7 p.m. practice, which historically takes place on the second Friday of training camp, is heavily attended as fans get the chance to watch the Steelers practice in pads with the sun setting.

“It’s huge for the city of Latrobe and people come from all over,” outside linebacker T.J. Watt said. “I’m excited to get in front of them.”

The last time the Steelers practiced at Memorial Stadium was 2019. The Steelers didn’t train at Saint Vincent College the next two summers because of the covid-19 pandemic.

The night practice was canceled last year because of a heavy rainstorm that hit the region. The yellow school buses designated to take players from Saint Vincent to the stadium never left campus because of the deluge.

That makes this year’s event a novelty even for veteran players such as backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Trubisky said. “It was always fun playing under the lights on Fridays. It gives you that high school feel. It’s something that takes me back. It will be fun for us, fun for the fans.

“We’re looking forward to putting on a show, having that interaction with the fans and having a good practice.”

The night practice also breaks up the monotony of camp, giving the players a respite from the hot afternoon sun.

“It’s nice seeing different scenery,” wide receiver Diontae Johnson said. “Practice starts later, so that gives you time to catch up on your body.”

The practice begins with an autograph session as players disperse around the perimeter of the gated field and sign for fans. What follows is a two-hour practice that usually includes a specialty drill such as “backs-on-backers” or goal-line defense.

“We’re going to embrace it and have fun with it,” Trubisky said, “but we still have to put in the work and make sure we get a good practice out of it.”

Johnson doesn’t expect that to be an issue based on past experiences of participating in a Friday Night Lights session.

“We want to make those plays, give the fans what they’re looking for,” he said. “That gets you amped up and makes you play a little harder.”

Tickets cost $5 for adults — children under 5 have free admission — and go on sale at 11 a.m. at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 5 p.m. A fireworks show is held after practice concludes at approximately 9 p.m.

Ticket and concession sales and a 50/50 raffle are cash only. All profits benefit the Greater Latrobe athletic teams, clubs and booster groups.