For 63 years, Sam and Bertha Schaub have lived on Hartzell School Road, just outside of Zelienople.

They've had nine grandchildren come into their home during that time.

Now, they watch one of them on TV every week during the NFL season.

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, born in Pittsburgh in June 1981, counts his grandparents among his fans.

"This may be the land of the Steelers, but it's all Texans around our house," Sam Schaub said. "When the Steelers played Houston last year, it was no secret who we were rooting for."

Matt Schaub hasn't forgotten his grandparents. He recently sent them an NFL football autographed by every member of the team. They have Houston Texans caps and jackets as well.

Sam, 90, and Bertha, 87, subscribe to Direct TV so they never miss one of their grandson's games.

"I get nervous every time he gets knocked down," Bertha said. "I don't feel OK until I see him get back up.

"I know quarterbacks get hurt playing football. That doesn't make it any easier."

Schaub's father, Dale, is a Freedom High graduate. He played quarterback in junior high, but was moved to tight end in high school.

Sam and Bertha never missed any of their son's games, either.

"We've always been an athletic family," Bertha said. "Our daughter is the oldest and taught physical education in high school and college."

By the time Matt Schaub reached high school, he attended West Chester High School in Eastern Pennsylvania, lettering in football, basketball and baseball.

"Honestly, he could have turned pro in any of those sports," his grandfather said. "Matt has always excelled in every sport he tried."

As a quarterback, Schaub threw for 3,990 yards and 35 touchdowns in high school. He went on to break 22 school records at the University of Virginia, including 7,502 career passing yards and 56 touchdowns.

Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, he was a backup quarterback in the NFL before being traded to Houston, where he became the starter in 2008.

In five NFL seasons, he's thrown for 6,317 yards and 30 touchdowns, including 3,043 yards and 15 TDs last season.

"Sometimes it's hard to believe it's Matt we're watching when we turn on the game," his grandmother said. "We're so proud of him.

"His wife is expecting their first child in March. Of course, we care more about that than the football."

Schaub's wife is a former Atlanta Falcons cheerleader.

"She's a wonderful person," Bertha said. "They had a rule that cheerleaders couldn't date the players, so she had to quit. ... I think she made the right choice."

Sam and Bertha made the trip to Cleveland last year to watch the Texans play the Browns. They're flying to Houston to see the Sept. 27 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars this year.

"Our daughter and son-in-law are going with us," Sam said. "We don't travel very much anymore."

But they do plenty of watching.

"I'm not surprised he made it in the pros," Sam said. "Everybody's gifted at something. Matt is gifted at quarterback."

"We have a picture of him holding a football when he was 2," Bertha said, laughing. "He could play football before he could talk."