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“I Stayed in the Shadows” - Calvin Austin III Proudly Earns Starting Role in Pittsburgh

For Calvin Austin III, nothing about this moment feels accidental.

After years of battling injuries, waiting behind veterans, and grinding through special teams snaps with little spotlight, the former fourth-round pick has finally been named a starter in Pittsburgh’s offense. And he’s not taking it lightly.

"Nothing about this journey was easy. I stayed in the shadows, put in the work, and now I’m proud to finally call myself a starter in Pittsburgh," Austin said following minicamp.

Those words carry weight. Drafted in 2022 out of Memphis, Austin entered the league with blazing 4.32 speed and electric college tape-but a foot injury wiped out his rookie season. When he finally returned, he had to fight for touches behind bigger names and more experienced targets. Yet every time he stepped on the field-whether catching deep balls or returning punts—he flashed the kind of explosiveness that makes defenses panic.

In 2024, Austin delivered when it mattered. He posted 548 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, including a 73-yard punt-return TD that electrified Acrisure Stadium. Coaches took notice, and in 2025, he's been elevated to a full-time WR2 role next to George Pickens.

What makes Austin’s story resonate isn’t just his speed—it’s his patience. It’s the quiet professionalism. The understanding that in Pittsburgh, you earn your name snap by snap, not by hype. And he did exactly that.

Now, as the Steelers chase postseason ambitions behind Aaron Rodgers and a reshaped offense, Calvin Austin III is no longer a name buried on the depth chart. He’s part of the plan. Part of the mission.

And if you ask him, it’s right where he belongs.

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Eagles Cheerleader Sues an Eagles Player for Harassment by Flirting with Her While Already Married
Can you believe it? A charming, dynamic cheerleader from the Philadelphia Eagles is "exploding" and dragging a team player to court for "unforgivable" behaviors! Abigale Licciardi – the star of the Eagles Cheer Squad – has officially filed a lawsuit, and the drama behind it is stirring up NFL fans! Could this be the "biggest scandal" in Eagles history? Read now to discover the "scorching" details! Abigale Licciardi, a professional cheerleader for the American football team Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL, is a prominent member of the Eagles Cheer Squad group. She is a former student at the University of Pennsylvania, where she participated in the local cheer squad and dance activities. Before that, Abigale was a dancer for NBA events and holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Temple University. Abigale is active on social media, often sharing about games at Lincoln Financial Field, community activities, and her role as a brand ambassador for the Eagles. As part of the Eagles Cheer Squad team consisting of about 47 members (combining male and female), Abigale participates in fan interactions, charity events like "Dream On 3," and performances at Eagles games. She has an Instagram account (@abigalelicciardi) with posts about cheer life and a TikTok (@abigale_eagles) where she shares videos about game days and dance routines. Before joining the Eagles, she worked at a local event company, proving her versatility and passion. But the "nightmare" struck when Abigale got "entangled" with an Eagles player! That's Mike Thornton, a backup defensive end who rarely plays for the Eagles – a guy who's practically "anonymous" to fans, only playing sporadically on special teams and never a pillar. Thornton, 29 years old, has been married since 2021 to his wife, a community nurse, and they have two young children (one boy and one girl). Yet, according to Abigale's lawsuit, Thornton has been "flirting" with her recklessly, despite his happy family life! The "explosion" happened when Thornton started sending "sweet" messages to Abigale via Instagram, praising her smile and energy after performances. At first, Abigale thought it was just friendly praise from a teammate, but things quickly "crossed the line" into harassment! Thornton called her in the middle of the night – sometimes at 1-2 a.m. – to "share" about playing pressures, invite her for private dinners, and even send "suggestive" videos filmed at the gym! Abigale stated in the lawsuit: "He knows I only focus on my career and the team, but he won't stop. Those midnight calls make me anxious and stressed, severely affecting my performance!" According to insider sources, Thornton has been "stalking" Abigale since preseason, frequently "lingering" at community events she attends, and intentionally "creating situations" to approach her. Thornton's wife, upon learning, went "crazy" and threatened to break up, but the guy remains "blind"! The Eagles are "shaken" by this scandal: The team management has temporarily isolated Thornton for investigation, while fans are divided – one side defends Abigale's "brave accusation," the other suspects it's a "staged script." The NFL league is also intervening, which could lead to heavy fines or removal from the roster! Abigale, with her "queen" image on TikTok and Instagram, is now becoming a "victim" of harassment – a thorny issue in the sports world! How will the court punish Thornton? And will the Eagles "clean up" the team to protect their cheerleaders? Don't miss out – follow now for the next "drama" update! What do you think about this case, comment below!