Former Steeler Keisel, ‘Da Beard,’ talks at benefit

From Christian Arnold, The York Daily Record: 

The transition to life after football has been a steady one for Pittsburgh Steelers’ great Brett Keisel. His new-found free time has given him the chance to explore different passions that he didn’t have time for in the past.

“I’ve loved being able to do some of the things that I wouldn’t be able to if I was training or preparing to play,” Keisel said. “I had my time in the sun. It was beautiful, it was fun, and we won some championships on the run. And now it’s time for me to go have some more fun.”

The Pro-bowl defensive tackle and two-time Super Bowl champion now spends his time with his kids in the outdoors and speaking to groups about his journey to the NFL, which brought him to York on Thursday night.

Keisel, who retired in June of 2015, has long had a reputation as someone who makes it a point to give back to the community. So when the York County Youth Development Center (YDC) reached out to Keisel to speak at the Children’s Benefit Dinner, he jumped at the opportunity to help.

“I heard about what they’re doing and how everything is raised for the kids,” Keisel said. “This facility helping (the kids) rebound and rebuild. I’m just glad I can be a part of it.”

The man affectionately nicknamed “Da Beard” made the trip from Pittsburgh to York on Thursday and, before speaking to the 183 people at the dinner, he spent 90 minutes with the kids at the YDC. Every kid at the Youth Development Center met Keisel and had the chance to wear his two Super Bowl rings.

“If you saw every kid try on his Super Bowl ring, it was amazing,” YDC director Rodney Wagner said.

Keisel has seen his share of ups and downs on his way from a small town in Wyoming to a successful football career with the Steelers. The message that Keisel brings is the reason why Wagner reached out to the former defensive end.

“Having a guy like Brett really emphasizes what you are going to do when you do hit a speed bump,” Wagner said. “That’s what we also teach at the Youth Development Center. … Seeing that kind of stuff is very impactful. Especially to see someone who’s been successful, who may not have been given everything and had to work for it.”

The visit was exciting for York County Steelers fans as well, who packed the ballroom at the Wyndham Garden for the event.

York County residents Bill and Melissa Ness had the chance to meet with Keisel before the dinner and enjoyed the interaction they had with the Steelers’ great. Keisel talked with the couple about the breast cancer awareness shirt Melissa was wearing, Bill Ness said.

“He was very friendly, very open. Very approachable,” Melissa Ness said.

Bill Ness added: “He was pretty down to earth guy. I think he still holds values that we like in this area.”

While playing football is in the rearview mirror for Keisel, he still has plenty of faith in his former team. The Steelers are coming off a 10-6 season in 2015 and an appearance in the AFC Divisional round of the playoffs.

“They’re going to be tough,” Keisel said about Pittsburgh. “They’ve got as many weapons as I’ve ever seen a Steeler team have. They’re loaded all over. I think their defense is better than it was last year under Coach Keith Butler. I expect those guys to do big things.

“I know those guys are picked to win it all and that would be awesome to see.”

As for what lies ahead for Keisel said, “we’ll see.”

“The future is bright,” he added.

Listen to Brett’s interview and view more photos HERE.

A couple Keisel quotes from the night (courtesy of Christian Arnold):

On a non-football note: @bkeisel99 has enjoyed his short time in York. “Of course I grabbed a York Peppermint Patty.”

Keisel wraps up his talk with a simple sentence. “Long live the beards.”