Homecoming for Pittsburgh native Cal Adomitis

Published November 20, 9:41 EDT
by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – It was a homecoming of sorts for Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Cal Adomitis.

Born and raised in the city of Pittsburgh, Adomitis had a unique experience when arriving at Acrisure Stadium.

He is Pittsburgh through and through.

Adomitis played high school football at Central Catholic and college ball roughly just under a mile away at the University of Pittsburgh.

“Obviously, I still love the city I grew up in,” Adomitis said. “I love Pittsburgh. It’s fun. Everyone has respect for this place and type of town it is. The type of football team the Steelers are.”

Playing for a despised rival like Cincinnati, allowed for friends close to Adomitis to scorch the rookie during his Pittsburgh debut as a professional in the National Football League.

“It’s funny,” Adomitis laughed.

“There were even a couple of guys in the first couple rows that I went to high school with that were busting my balls the whole game. Definitely heard a lot of people yelling Cal. It was fun just having everyone heckle me.”

When does a long snapper get heckled?

Accustomed to suiting up for games during his college days in the home teams’ locker room. Adomitis was well versed in the visitors’ locker room as well. 

He suited up for high school championship games when it was Heinz Field. Now as a pro he was watching his Bengals teammates celebrate as music blared throughout the locker room in that same locker room.

One could say the feeling of satisfying and strange mixed into one. 

A beloved hometown kid playing for the team he most likely rooted against growing up. He didn’t say that, but one would figure that had to be par for course. 

“I got to be careful on how much say that nowadays,” Adomitis laughed in regard to his connection to the city of Pittsburgh and playing for Cincinnati. He appreciates his hometown, but his career is taking flight in another city that just happens to be in the same division as the Steelers.

“This is such a fun team to be part of,” Adomitis said with his hair much shorter than during his playing days with the Panthers.

“It was just fun coming in with a group of guys that I love and get a great win. Was routing for my buddy Kenny (Pickett) on the other side as much as possible (smiling). Just glad everyone came out healthy and it was a great game.”

The added hype to his arrival was because this was not supposed to be his time.

Undrafted this past April, he signed with the Bengals after the draft but was released during final cuts, in late summer. He signed to the practice squad following the release.

Spending the year learning the nuances of the game was tossed out the window when starting long snapper Clark Harris suffered a torn biceps in Week 1 and placed on injured reserve.

Adomitis would get his first start against the Cowboys in Week 2.

“The whole thing was kind of like whirlwind,” Adomitis said. “Obviously, I love the staff here. I love the guys here. I wanted to stay. Obviously, they offered me to stay on the practice squad and it was great. I gave me reason to stay.

“Coach (Darrin) Simmons I think is the best special team’s coordinator in the league. Either way, I was like I get to learn Clark (Harris) and learn from Coach Simmons. Then when my number would be called, I’d be ready to go. Sure enough, it was probably a little earlier than even what I thought it would be.

“You hate seeing anyone go down. Coach (Simmons) has been super helpful, just showing me the ropes and how to be a pro basically.”

Being a pro also means the luxury of being home for the holiday season can be cruel.

Fortunately for Adomitis the family is going to pack their bags and head to Cincinnati to partake in Thanksgiving dinner.

“My oldest brother went to Tulane University, and they play Cincinnati in Cincinnati on Friday,” Adomitis said. “So, he is coming up and the family is just going to converge in Cincinnati.”

If you are familiar with Adomitis, you know he is much for than just a football player. He helped raise over $114,000 in 2021 to donate towards the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

However, that doesn’t mean he will mean he will be cooking for the family when they arrive for dinner. Adomitis says he’ll try to do something, but his mom will probably shoulder to load in making sure the family is unbuckling the belt a notch or two after dinner.

“I’ll try to do something, but I think my mom plans on helping out,” Adomitis said. “I definitely appreciate that because your rookie year is a whirlwind. So, I don’t know how much time or energy I’ll have to do much cooking.”

Surely, his mothers’ cooking is going to be the veteran leadership needed in the kitchen to ensure this rookie’s first Thanksgiving dinner goes off without glitch. 

Sort of the way Adomitis has to snap.

Without a glitch. 

 

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt