Steeler talks at Seneca
JACKSON TWP — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel makes decisions every game.
Some only affect him. Others, such as his recovery of a fumble in Sunday's game against the Saints, impact everyone around him.
But Keisel said one of the most important decisions he ever made was to abstain from alcohol in high school.
"The choices you make now are going to affect the rest of your life," Keisel told more than 1,200 students Tuesday at the Seneca Valley Intermediate School.
The ninth and 10th graders filled the auditorium to capacity, leaving little standing room for teachers and administrators.
Sponsored by the state, Keisel appeared to motivate students to avoid the dangers of underage drinking and bad decision making.
In a class of fewer than 40 students in a small town in Wyoming, Keisel said his classmates turned to alcohol out of boredom. Determined to become a professional athlete, he chose sports and outdoor activities instead.
"Life is about choices," he said. "Athletics saved me."
Had he not chosen abstinence, Keisel told students he would have been kicked off his high school football team and never given the opportunity to win the Super Bowl with the Steelers.
"Can you go out and party and drink and then come in and take your SATs? No, it's impossible," Keisel said. "Well, it's possible, but you're going to fail."
The world champion team member also warned students about peer pressure involving alcohol.
"If you're going to pressure people, pressure them into doing something right or something good," he said.
Intermediate high students Ryan Baltos, 16, and Amanda Lollo, 14, both of Callery, said they have peers who drink.
Though she was already aware of the dangers of alcohol, Lollo said Keisel's words might have an impact on students who drink anyway. Baltos also said the presentation was not new information, but he hoped classmates were paying attention.
"Don't drink, it's very bad," he said.
Keisel's parting words were encouragement for students to be accountable for each other.
"Take care of each other," he said. "Respect each other. Have each other's back."
