by Bo Marchionte 

Pittsburgh – The enthusiastic smile from ear to ear on Jake Dixon’s face validates his deep admiration for the City of Pittsburgh and the Steelers – Which he both adores.  

“I’m from Pittsburgh,” said Dixon after wrapping up practice on the southside of the city he calls home. “It’s been a dream of mine for my whole life so I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

“Growing up in this town. This Steelers culture I think embodies this whole city of Pittsburgh. I’ve grown up in that. I’ve been brought up in that.”

Proudly wearing No. 67, he easily lists off a couple former Steelers players that wore the number that now bears his own name.

“I thought of Kimo von Oelhoffen,” said Dixon when putting on the jersey. “The year we won the Super Bowl, in 2004, with the ‘Bus’ (Jerome Bettis). B.J. Finney has been really good here the last couple of years. I definitely thought of those guys.”

The correlation between player and team seems like a match made in football heaven.

A two-time first team All-Northeast Conference and FCS All-American, Dixon went undrafted out of Duquesne. Those accolades give the impression that this 6-foot-5 and 310-pound tackle spent his football life protecting the quarterback.  

That is not the case, for a former high school volleyball standout.

The origins of Dixon’s college career begin at Lewis University near Chicago where his skills warranted him a scholarship. A change of heart and sports led him back home to Duquesne where he spent his first three seasons at tight end.

As he grew, so did his ability to contribute at the highest level in the Northeast Conference.

Appearing in every game during his five-year career at Duquesne, Dixon possesses all the prerequisites to develop into an NFL lineman.

Size, durability, and strength.

All predicated on his athleticism that stems from his volleyball and tight end background.

During his Pro Day earlier this spring, Dixon did a whopping 34 reps of 225 on the bench press.

How good is that?

Only four players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, in 2022, put up 30 or more reps and no one in Indianapolis lifted more iron than the home-grown kid from the steel city.

Dixon encompasses the identity of the Steelers.

“This is a blue-collar town,” said Dixon. “I grew up in it. I’ve been a lunch pale guy my whole life. It’s all about work. Putting your head down and not worrying about anything on the outside. Just worry about what’s going on in the building and making yourself better.”

Those characteristics he mentions are woven into the fabric that blankets the Steelers organization.

The things he learned by being a fan of the Steelers franchise could possibly earn him a spot playing for the Steelers.