Pittsburgh Steelers Update: Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Reminisces About Bill Cowher’s Phone Interview Before His Selection in the 2004 NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced considerable success in the 2004 draft, securing key players who played pivotal roles in the team’s achievements over the subsequent years. Among their notable selections was Ben Roethlisberger, who emerged as the franchise quarterback and a respected leader in the locker room, guiding the team to two Super Bowl victories during his remarkable 18-year tenure with the Steelers. Additionally, they drafted Max Starks, a dependable presence on the offensive line for nearly a decade, who also contributed to both Super Bowl triumphs.
Selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft from the University of Florida, Starks, standing at an imposing 6’8″ and weighing 370 pounds, brought a formidable physical presence to the team’s offensive line. Despite contending with injuries throughout his career, Starks earned a starting role in 2005, starting all 16 regular-season games. Reflecting on his draft experience, Starks shared an intriguing anecdote about a phone conversation he had with Steelers head coach Bill Cowher just before being drafted, during an interview with Steelers Nation Radio at the NFL Combine.
“Omar Khan got on the phone and said, ‘Here is Coach Cowher.’ He asked me two questions: ‘Do you like playing in the snow?’ and I replied that if there’s a football out there, I’ll play. His second question was, ‘Are you tough?’ and I answered, ‘Yes.’ Cowher then congratulated me on being a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
Transitioning from the warm climate of Florida, where Starks played college football and grew up in Orlando, to the colder and more demanding weather conditions of Pittsburgh posed a significant adjustment for the rookie. Cowher’s inquiries about Starks’ willingness to adapt to the challenges of playing in Pittsburgh’s harsh weather underscored the coach’s determination to ensure that Starks aligned with the team’s culture and expectations. Despite the unfamiliar climate, Cowher’s confidence in Starks’ abilities prompted the Steelers to invest a third-round pick in him, highlighting the coach’s conviction in Starks’ potential contributions to the team.
