You can’t put a price tag on family — and former Steelers tight end turned scout Mark Bruener was ready to risk it all to be there for his son, Carson Bruener, when he was drafted by Pittsburgh.
In a heartwarming story covered by Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mark explained that when it came to watching Carson get drafted, nothing could have stood in his way of being there for his son — even if that meant being fired from his Steelers scouting role.
That was never an option, however, as Batko explained that the Steelers gave Mark time off to enjoy Carson’s special draft moment with the family:
“It did not cost Mark his job. General manager Omar Khan and the Steelers allowed him to be home in the Seattle area on the couch with Carson instead of at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for the final two days of the draft. To Mark, it was a no-brainer to be a father first, Steelers employee second.”
From the father-son legacy of Art Rooney Sr. and Dan Rooney — who laid the groundwork for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises — to bonds like Joey Porter Sr. and Jr. carrying the Steelers tradition of tough defense, the Brueners serve as additional proof that Pittsburgh’s Black and Gold runs deeper than team colors.