Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick And Cameron Heyward Reflective About Their 2022 Sideline Fight

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been known to have hard hitters that are looking for a fight. That is just the way things roll in the AFC North. From Juju Smith-Schuster laying one of the nastiest blocks ever on Vontaze Burfict to the infamous fight between Mason Rudolph and Myles Garrett, this has just been the Steelers way of handling things. Even some of the Steelers veterans like Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick have found themselves in scraps from time to time.

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The Steelers have even had times when the franchise's players have gotten into fights on the sidelines of games or in training camp. A fight that has happened in recent years was between Fitzpatrick and Heyward on the sidelines of a game against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2022 season. The game was a must-win for the Steelers to have a chance at the playoffs. After a play toward the end of the second quarter, Heyward got an unnecessary roughness penalty after pushing a few Ravens players in a pile-up. The penalty would also lead to the Ravens first score of the game.

Fitzpatrick, trying to be the leader that he is, went over to Heyward and tried to hold him accountable. This did not go over well with Heyward as he let him know when the two ended up having a shouting match during the game. Now that the altercation is in the past, Heyward finally took the chance to ask Fitzpatrick what he was thinking during that moment. Fitzpatrick would comment on what went through his mind on Heyward's podcast, Not Just Football.

"I just knew that you knew better." Fitzpatrick said. "It was an extra little oomph you gave the guy. I know that you're and experienced player. You're a vet that has seen a lot of football."

This moment seemed to be something that has been on Heyward's mind for quite some time now. He has, in years past, got into his fair share of fights with not only his teammates, but opposing players as well. This time with Fitzpatrick was nothing out of the ordinary for him. He commented what was going through his mind during that moment as well.

"Let me tell you what I was thinking. It was a play that got strung out, we stopped it and I'm trying to get up and I get pulled back down and I got a penalty trying to hold myself up. Then Mink comes up to me screaming what were you thinking! I'm like Minkah, you are really going to snap at me like this right now."

Although Fitzpatrick and Heyward had their little scuffle, the two should be ready for an outstanding 2023 season. 

With the return of a fully healthy TJ Watt and 2022 breakout player, Alex Highsmith, the defense should be set for years to come. With what they had already, they were also able to bring in some big-time talent through the NFL Draft as well as through free agency. 

The 2023 team brings an intensity that has not been in Pittsburgh for a couple of years now. With the veteran leadership and young athletes like George Pickens and Joey Porter Jr. showing grit every single day, the Steelers may look a lot like they once did when they were winning Super Bowls.

So, what do you think Steeler Nation? Will we see any more sideline scuffles this season? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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