Teresa Varley

Friday, April 10

Making his impact felt:Christian Kuntz has a soft spot for Jeremiah's Place, Pittsburgh's only 24-hour crisis nursery that provides emergency childcare for families in need.

It's an organization he and his wife, Heather, have been involved with the last few years, providing holiday joy to the single mothers and kids who they serve.

Now, he is taking it one step further.

Through the Kuntz 4 Ki6s Foundation, the couple is providing a $10,000 scholarship to support Jeremiah's Place and Trying Together bridge scholarship program.

"Jeremiah's Place is one of Pittsburgh's only 24-7 crisis centers for single mothers that offers childcare and care for the mothers as well," said Kuntz. "So, we got linked with them a couple years ago through the Steelers for our non-profit and we're providing a scholarship of $10,000 and that will act as a bridge for the moms to be able to go on job interviews and pursue opportunities that they wouldn't be able to pursue because of their situation.

"If they needed an Uber to get to a job interview but didn't have child care, they couldn't go to the interview because they couldn't take the child there. So, we're going to act as that bridge to help if they're in the job interview process or any kind of process and they need childcare or they need transportation. The scholarship will provide that for them while they're on that transition. Have an opportunity to get a job and hopefully move forward.

"It's going to help close to 50 moms and kids to be able to pursue the opportunities that they might not be able pursue if they didn't have the money to get the transportation or to take their kid to childcare."

Kuntz said he felt a bond with Jeremiah's Place from the first time he and his wife got involved with them for holiday events.

"I think since Heather and I became parents, it made us realize how hard it really is to raise a child and how expensive it is," said Kuntz. "Then our history with Jeremiah's Place, how touching our events have been the last three years with them and seeing the smiles on the kids' and moms' faces because of simple acts that touched us.

"I grew up with a single mom. Seeing them and the struggle that they go through, and they love their kids so much, and they want to do everything to make their kids better. I had two older brothers to look up to growing up. I want to be able to be a role model to the kids and be able to help them and the moms financially move forward and try to succeed."

Thursday, February 12

Honoring difference makers:

As a part of Black History Month, the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates teamed up with Pittsburgh Public Schools to host a Black History Month Living Museum, honoring influential Black leaders in difference makers in Pittsburgh sports.

The museum was done at Pittsburgh Sterrett, with the students representing the leaders from each team who made a difference and played a role in Black history in Pittsburgh.

The day was kicked off by hearing from those representing each organization, including Dr. MiChele Holly, Principal of Pittsburgh Sterrett (PPS), Blayre Holmes-Davis, Sr. Director of Community Relations for the Steelers, Tracey McCants Lewis, Chief Legal and Community Affairs Officer for the Penguins and Sarah Heffler, Community Engagement Manager for the Pirates.

"I am excited to be here today not only to recognize and celebrate this month, but also to have a living history museum which will tell the stories of influential black leaders within our organizations and how their contributions have not only made our organizations better, but society as a whole," said Holmes-Davis. "We could not tell the story of the Pittsburgh Steelers without these three individuals and we are excited to see the students embody their passion and resilience."

Among those in the Steelers organization the students chose to honor were former Coach Mike Tomlin, Hall of Fame scout Bill Nunn, and former assistant coach John Mitchell.

The students dressed as the individuals they were honoring and highlighted their career achievements that are a part of Black History Month in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Tomlin was highlighted for becoming the first Black Head Coach in Steelers history when he was hired in 2007, the 16th head coach in team history and only the third since 1969 at that time. The students featured Tomlin's accomplishments, which included19 seasons with the Steelers, without a losing season, and leading them to eight AFC North championships, two AFC Championships and a win in Super Bowl XLIII.

Mitchell's story of breaking barriers at the University of Alabama prior to his time with the Steelers was inspiring for the students. Mitchell, who spent 29 seasons with the Steelers in roles that included assistant head coach and defensive line coach, was born in Alabama in 1951, a time when there was segregation in Alabama and throughout the South. Mitchell dreamt about playing at Alabama and became the school's the first African American to play, be a captain and an All-American at the school.

Nunn was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021, the first Black Contributor in the 100-year history of the Hall. Nunn, the long-time Steelers scout, was a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Courier and selected the newspaper's annual Black College All-America Team, building a relationship with players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities along the way. Nunn was a member of the Inaugural Class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame and a 2018 Steelers Hall of Honor selection.

Others who were honored included:

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Trevor Daley: Former Penguins defenseman and special assistant to the president of hockey operations

Willie O'Ree Academy: Willie O'Ree broke the racial barrier in hockey with the Boston Bruins, and the Penguins started the Academy named after him to provide training, mentorship, and opportunities for Black youth hockey players in the Pittsburgh region.

Jaden Lindo: Manager of community hockey and 2014 sixth round draft pick of the team.

Pittsburgh Pirates:

Curt Roberts: The first Black player for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Gene Baker: First Black person to manage in Major League Baseball, taking over late in a Pirates game when other managers were ejected. Was also the first Black player for the Chicago Cubs.

Lloyd McClendon: Manager for the Pirates from 2001-05, becoming the team's first Black manager.

Wednesday, February 4

Celebrating girls and women in sports:For the second straight year, the Steelers are doing their part to give back on a day that is designed to honor and celebrate women in the sports world.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is a day that originated in 1987 when it was declared by then President Ronald Reagan.

It was originally designated to honor late Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman and has since evolved to recognize all girls and women in sports in any fashion.

It's an opportunity to celebrate women and girls who make an impact on the field, in the media, the community and the board room in all of sports.

And the Steelers are celebrating the day by those in the organization doing their part to help out young female athletes.

The Steelers partnered with Operation Warm to package and distribute over 1,000 sports bras for Pittsburgh Public Schools female athletes who participate in flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and beyond.

A total of 500 female student athletes will receive two bras each as part of the Fly:FWD program. Fly:FWD sports bras serve as a bridge, empowering girls to overcome obstacles and excel in sports with unwavering confidence and are committed to making a difference in the lives of young athletes, setting them on a path of empowerment and wellness.

"It means a lot to everyone in the organization to be able to do this," said Blayre Holmes-Davis, the Steelers senior director of community relations. "As an organization, especially the women who work here, are thrilled to be able to take a day to celebrate one another in the work that we do not only during the season, but throughout the entire year.

"But to be able to invest in the next generation of female athletes and let them see us as a representation of what they can do is special. We can show them you can be successful in this field. We can let them know there's a space for you in sports if you want there to be.

"It also is about helping the young female athletes to be able to have the equipment to play their sport and be successful. When they're talking about making sure that there's funding for athletes from the equipment, what doesn't get talked about is that sports bras. But it's a necessity for young female athletes to have.

"For us to be intentional about celebrating that day, but also making sure that we're doing an act of service to let the girls know we know this is a big issue because we're also here to help fulfill that need."

Sunday, January 11

A super surprise:The Steelers surprised Chris Curd, the founder of Pittsburgh Flag Football League and PA Flag Football Foundation with two tickets to Super Bowl LX. Former Steelers tight end and Super Bowl champion Matt Spaeth made the presentation.

Curd was honored during youth flag football games at Montour Sports Complex.

Curd made a huge impact on flag football in the Pittsburgh region, and played a role in helping to grow the girls flag football program the Steelers launched with high schools in 2022 and colleges in 2025.

"We wanted to take a moment to celebrate Chris and his longstanding commitment to expanding access to flag footballespecially girls flag football," said Dan Rooney, the Steelers Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. "The sport being sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association was a major accomplishment and Chris' grassroots efforts played an important role in achieving this milestone."

Curd's organization helped with site management for games, as well as scheduling officials and buildings. He also coached the Ellis School's girls' team. His league also has over 2,200 kids from Western Pennsylvania playing NFL Flag Football.