In his first start in more than two years, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph kept his team’s playoff hopes alive Saturday (Dec. 23). After a 34-11 home victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, Rudolph expressed gratitude to Jesus for the chance to compete and for being present with him through difficulties.
“First off,” said Rudolph, 28, “I’m just so thankful to my Creator, Jesus Christ, for giving me the opportunity to play this game and for carrying me through dark times and getting me back here for this special moment.” After years of professional challenges and uncertainties, Rudolph went 17-for-27 Saturday, throwing for 290 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
After the win, which put the Steelers at 8-7, an appreciative crowd serenaded the season-saving QB with a rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph Persevered Amid ‘Dark Times’
Rudolph, an award-winning player at Oklahoma State, was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s been relegated to backup and third-string roles. The athlete’s proponents say he’s “never had a fair chance” to become the starter.
“Rudolph always has had a bad rap in Pittsburgh,” according to sportswriter Mark Madden. The QB got mocked online after being knocked out cold during an October 2019 game. The next month, Browns player Myles Garrett yanked off Rudolph’s helmet and swung it at him. Garrett also accused Rudolph of shouting a racial slur—an accusation that was never proven.
After Saturday’s victory, sportswriter Jim Wexell wrote, “The man who was lied about as a racist, discarded as a player, forgotten as a human being, was nothing but class.” Rudolph told reporters he was “just thankful to God for orchestrating it the way he did and blessing me and us with a great performance.”
Rudolph admitted enjoying the crowd’s chants, after not playing for two years. “Is this your best Christmas yet?” a reporter asked Rudolph during his post-game press conference. “I got a tree house when I was like 12, which was pretty cool,” the QB replied. “But this is definitely up there.”
Both Rudolph and teammate Alex Highsmith received game balls Saturday. Highsmith, an outside linebacker and outspoken Christian, said the win was a team effort. “All glory to God for the victory,” he told a reporter. “He is good. All glory to him.”
Mason Rudolph Builds on Christ as His ‘Foundation’
Asked how he’d reflect on the win against Cincinnati, Rudolph said, “With a lot of gratitude. Just so thankful to God for throwing me a bone and giving me an opportunity to play. I got my family here and celebrating Christmas, so it’ll be a fun time.”
In a 2017 issue of FCA Magazine, Rudolph said Jesus is at the center of his life and serves as his “foundation.” The QB, the grandson of a minister, said, “I passionately pursue Christ because I want to be a witness for him and use this [football] platform to impact our community.”
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