Chase Claypool鈥檚 pro career is off to a very good start.
Claypool, who grew up playing football in Abbotsford and for now, calls 91原创 home, made his first professional catch a memorable one Monday night, as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New York Giants 26-16 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Claypool hauled down a 28-yard highlight reel third down catch on a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The moment was highlighted instantly on Twitter by both the NFL and Sportscenter accounts.
CHASE CLAYPOOL TOE-TAP 馃く
鈥 SportsCenter (@SportsCenter)
(via )
Claypool also caught an 11-yard pass in the fourth quarter, which eventually led to a Steelers field goal.
He added eight yards rushing to close out the game.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish product also played in some special teams situations in his debut.
鈥淒reams came true tonight,鈥 Claypool said following the game.
鈥淏lessed beyond belief.鈥
That undefeated, never lost type feeling. 馃槤馃馃従
鈥 Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool)
Online, he posted a video clip of himself beaming and hitting a most-muscular body building pose.
鈥淭hat undefeated, never lost type feeling,鈥 is how he described it.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Celebrating homegrown football star Chase Claypool
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had good things to say about his new teammate.
鈥淚 think the plays that he鈥檚 making are impressive, but I think, to me, what鈥檚 more impressive is that he doesn鈥檛 ask a lot of questions, which means he knows his stuff,鈥 Roethlisberger said.
Game day vibes! 馃馃従 Monday Night Football got me cheesin鈥 馃榿
鈥 Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool)
Claypool honoured the memory of former teammate Samwel Uko, writing his writing his last name in the wrist tape he wore during the Steelers games.
鈥淎ll season long for you, lil brother,鈥 Claypool said in posting the image to social media.
鈥淭he best high school football player I鈥檝e ever played with/against and an even better kid. Miss you, brother. The system failed you.鈥
READ MORE: More details disclosed about tragic death of 91原创 Rams player
Justin Paul, Uko鈥檚 uncle and the man who has acted as an unofficial spokesperson for the family during the news surrounding his death, said that he is honoured to see Claypool remember his nephew in such a thoughtful way.
鈥淲e really appreciate and thank that Samwel鈥檚 friends are still keeping his memory alive, that means so much to us 鈥 it brings peace into our heart,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e really thank Chase. God bless him.鈥
Class act . He looked up to you so much. I know he's smiling right now.
鈥 Pantherfootball (@AbbyPanthers)
Great first game on top of it. Panther pride!
During the National Anthem, Steelers players held a large banner that stated 鈥淪teelers Against Racism鈥 and listed all of the hometowns represented by the players.
Abbotsford was on the banner and alphabetically was the first hometown listed. Claypool raised a fist during the anthem.
READ ALSO: Abbotsford鈥檚 Chase Claypool selected by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2nd round of 2020 NFL draft
Following Monday鈥檚 game, Claypool and the Steelers host the Denver Broncos on Sept. 20, then welcome the Houston Texans on Sept. 27.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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