Monday’s “First Call” has an endorsement for new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Notre Dame football is taking on a distinctly Black and Gold tone. Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby admits to spitting on an ex-Steeler.

A local Pittsburgh hockey player stars in a win over Washington. And Robert Morris hockey has a successful weekend.

Love from LeBeau

A former Steelers coaching legend is giving a thumbs up to Arthur Smith as the new Steelers offensive coordinator.

“I can see him in Black and Gold pretty easy with the philosophical approach Pittsburgh has always taken in football,” LeBeau told Steelers Depot Sunday. “I think Arthur will fit perfect for them… You can give Coach Smith my [highest] endorsement. I know that he will do everything in his power to get things rolling on that side of the ball.”

LeBeau and Smith overlapped on the Tennessee Titans staff from 2015–17

LeBeau was the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Smith was coaching tight ends on that staff during those years before becoming the offensive coordinator.

“I know him well,” said LeBeau. “He’s a good, smart, hard-working, young coach. He’s a real good family man, a great guy.”

Tennessee was 21-27 during the years LeBeau and Smith worked together.

Explaining the expectoration

When former Steeler Trai Turner was ejected from a game between the Steelers and Raiders in 2021, Mike Tomlin explained that a player spat on him.

Overt the weekend, during his own podcast,“The Rush,” Crosby admitted to the incident.

“I spit on a Pittsburgh Steeler. It was a former O-lineman,” Crosby said via SteelersNow.com. “Talking, just chirping the whole game. He’s known for that. He was kind of past his prime at this point. But we’re getting into it. I’m talking my (expletive). He’s talking his (expletive). They throw a little check down to Najee Harris. He’s running, already down the sideline. I turn around, and this dude is barking at me as I run to the ball. I feel a head-butt from behind, and it’s the dude that was chirping. I was ready to tee off, but the only thing I could have done in that moment was spit in his (expletive) face.”

Turner and Raiders defensive end Soloman Thomas ended up getting penalties. Crosby didn’t.

“He comes running after me, whatever. They had it in slow motion. They had him hawking a loogie across the field,” Crosby said. “He’s trying to fight me, run through all of his teammates, they kick him out of the game, and I’m like, ‘I didn’t do (expletive).’ Then I hear from another teammate that he is looking for me. I’m like, you’re the one that started the whole thing; if you wanted to do something, you should have looked me face to face and did it.”

Pittsburgh ended up losing the game 27-16. Turner is recovering from a torn quad with the New Orleans Saints.

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Black and Gold blood in South Bend

A pair of former Steelers standouts have sons who are going to play their college football at Notre Dame together. According to ProFootballTalk, Elijah Burress, the son of Plaxico Burress, has committed to play his college football with the Fighting Irish. He will join cornerback Ivan Taylor, the son of retired Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, who has already announced he is heading to South Bend.

The 6-foot-1 Elijah Burress attended DePaul Catholic High School (New Jersey). Taylor attended Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange, and committed in December.

The Irish have also offered a scholarship to Jerome Bettis’ son, wide receiver Jerome Bettis Jr. (Woodward Academy, Ga.). Bettis Sr. played for Notre Dame from 1990-92. And Ryan Clark’s son, Jordan, is transferrig there from Arizona State.

Miller’s moment

Local product J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio/Coraopolis) came up big Sunday for the Vancouver Canucks. The former Pittsburgh Hornet scored an overtime game-winning goal to beat the Washington Capitals.

JONATHAN❗️ TANNER❗️ MILLER❗️ pic.twitter.com/Oire1qiIgS

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 11, 2024

That was Miller’s 23rd goal, good for third on the team. Miller and Elias Pettersson both have 69 points to lead the way for the Canucks, tied for fifth in the NHL.

Vancouver has 76 points, the most in hockey. Washington picked up one point to reach 54 on the season, one more than the Penguins. The Pens are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 53 points.

Well-done weekend

The Robert Morris hockey teams combined to go 2-1-1 for the weekend. The men split a series in West Point, losing to Army on Friday night 3-1 and winning 4-3 on Saturday.

Logan Gaine got the game-winner in Game 2.

GOAL????

Ganie on the breakaway! #BobbyMo #AHA20 pic.twitter.com/fOBaykPKeU

— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) February 11, 2024

The men next host Canisius for two games on Neville Island next weekend.

As for the women, they tied Penn State 4-4 on Friday. Then they beat the Nittany Lions 4-3 on Saturday thanks to a game-winner from Janelle Evans.

WHAT A GAME! WHAT A GOAL!

JANELLE EVANS WINS IT IN OVERTIME????????????????????#BobbyMo #CollegeHockeyAmerica pic.twitter.com/m6oJ90zjPv

— RMU Women's Hockey (@RMUWHockey) February 11, 2024

At 9-8-1 in College Hockey America play, the Colonials officially clinched a spot in the CHA Playoff Tournament with the victory.

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