Rookie RB Stunned by Steelers Fan' Support During First Training Camp Experience

The energy in Latrobe is always different during Steelers Training Camp, but this year, it hit a little harder for one rookie who wasn’t quite ready for what he saw.

After just a few days in pads, one young running back stood quietly on the sidelines after practice, eyes scanning the packed hills around Saint Vincent College. Fans had arrived before sunrise, waving Terrible Towels, calling out players’ names, and chanting “Here We Go” like it was already Week 1.

Kaleb Johnson, a second-round rookie RB, couldn’t hide his awe:

"I didn’t expect this level of energy. Steelers fans are loud, loyal, and somehow still incredibly respectful. They showed up for everyone on the field — not just the big names."

But it wasn’t just the noise or the numbers — it was what the presence of those fans represented.

According to Johnson, “The way they show up for practice reminded me that Steelers football isn’t just a sport — it’s a lifestyle, a community, and a legacy.”

The rookie, who grew up watching Pittsburgh from afar, admitted that while he expected intensity from the coaching staff and veterans like T.J. Watt, he never imagined the crowd at training camp would feel like a Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.

Veteran players often say you don’t truly understand what it means to wear black and gold until you see it reflected in the eyes of the fans. For Kaleb Johnson, that moment came early — and it’s already shaping how he views his future.

Now, as camp continues and competition ramps up, one thing’s certain: Johnson knows exactly who he’s running for.