The Pittsburgh Steelers are a blue collar football team from a blue collar city - and nothing in football is more blue collar than the fullback position. Fullbacks lead the way through the trenches for running backs, as if they are the human version of a battering ram. This kind of work certainly takes a toll on the body, and fullbacks are slowly phasing out of the NFL. The last time the Steelers consistently had a fullback on their active roster was Derek Watt, and they currently have Jack Colletto on the practice squad.
Pittsburgh had a different fullback going into training camp ahead of the 2023 season in Monte Pottebaum. They signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, and the team was shocked when he announced his retirement just four days into camp. Pottebaum recently appeared on the SHRP Training podcast, where he was asked what ultimately led to him retiring from football.
"Like I mentioned before, even when the agents started talking to me, it was something where I didn't really know if I wanted to do it or not," Pottebaum said. "I mean, as an outsider looking in, it's like a no-brainer, like why wouldn't you want to play in the NFL? That's something every kid dreams of, that's something I dream of. Realistically, circumstances change, the way you feel about something changes. I would say it's a lot of factors, one being playing fullback. Your job is to run full speed into people."
Pottebaum began his interview by stating that he grew up a fan of the Steelers, which makes it even more shocking that he decided to walk away from the team. He had plenty of reasons for making the decision that he did, with one being his health. Fullback is a ruthless position to play on the football field. A fullback is basically guaranteed to get into some intense collision on every snap.
Steelers' Former Rookie Didn't Want To Miss Valuable Time With His Family
Obviously, Pottebaum was worried about his health moving forward. He spoke about how he would repeatedly get stingers that would send shooting pains down his neck and spine, which is a miserable way to spend life. It got to the point where he felt it was affecting his play, which was a factor in his decision to retire. Another factor was spending time with his family, which he spoke about during his podcast appearance.
"Going back to me being a home body, and you know, I got three nieces and nephews that I don't see. Family, friends, nobody is getting younger," Pottebaum said. "It's just like, I don't know, I felt more that I would enjoy my life more being around people I love, rather than chasing some money potentially. And then ultimately there is the faith aspect that comes into it. As I went throughout college, I tested in my faith and really strengthened my faith. At the end of my career, there I was experiencing a lot of just, not peace, and I wasn't really happy with the direction of my life."
A lot of factors went into this major decision for Pottebaum, who was thinking about his health, family, and faith when deciding to retire. Many felt as though Pottebaum may have had a real chance to make the final roster in Pittsburgh, and he would likely had at least signed to the practice squad. The Steelers usually like to have at least one fullback in the building.
Ultimately, Pottebaum never played in an NFL stadium. He retired just four days into his first training camp, and he seems to feel as though he made the right decision by retiring.
