Fans at Butler event generally pleased with Steelers’ first-round pick
The crowd of Steelers fans who packed the Penn Theater’s NFL draft party Thursday night, April 23, welcomed Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor into the NFL with cheers, as Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis announced him as the Steelers’ first-round draft pick.
Fans generally expressed satisfaction with the Steelers’ first selection of the Mike McCarthy era, as most agreed Iheanachor should fill a need on the team’s offensive line.
“I like the pick,” said Ralph McElhaney, who organized the draft party at the Penn Theater. “The coach we have now is an offensive coach. We can’t have enough offensive linemen.”
“It was a great pick,” said George White, of Chicora, who wore a Dermontti Dawson jersey to the event. “They needed to fill a lineman need.”
“Our offensive line needs help in the worst kind of way,” said Pat Seybert, of Butler, who wore a Najee Harris jersey.
“It’s not a surprise,” said Steve Gilliland, a former Butler County resident and a Steelers fan from Winston-Salem, N.C., who returned to Butler to co-host the event with his friend, McElhaney. “I think they’re trying to shore up the offensive line.”
This year marks the third time in four years the Steelers have chosen an offensive tackle with their first-round pick. In 2023 and 2024, the Steelers chose Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, respectively.
