Steelers Rookie Gets Call From Roethlisberger Travel Agency

Rookie hazing in the NFL takes on many forms.  The new guy may end up with a Friar Tuck haircut ala Tim Tebow, he may have to perform a silly song in front of the team, or just carry the veteran’s equipment to and from the practice field every day in training camp.  David DeCastro may be begging for any of those relatively playful punishments when he arrives in Latrobe this summer.  Apparently, on draft night, DeCastro thought that Ben Roethlisberger had taken over the George Costanza role of ‘Assistant to the Traveling Secretary’.  As Ben was attempting to congratulate the first round pick, the new guard was trying to make flight arrangements with who he assumed was a Steelers secretary.

“He was saying, ‘Did you get those flight plans? Did you get those flight plans?”’ Roethlisberger told a group at the Blair County Convention Center over the weekend. After a few seconds, DeCastro figured it out.  The popular question may be to ask “what is this guy smoking?” but let’s not go there.

And he will never ever forget it.

David DeCastro may need to work on his voice recognition between now and the regular season so that he knows who is calling the plays in the huddle and the snap count at the line of scrimmage.  I don’t think that will be a problem though.   The Home Team’s first rounder will have plenty of opportunity to learn the pecking order.  I expect DeCastro will become quite familiar with making travel arrangements for Ben’s dry cleaning, Ben’s dog grooming, Ben’s auto detailing, delivery of pizza and Chinese food to chez Roethlisberger.   He will be prank called by every member of the team between now and that first pancake block against the Ravens (TCSFB).  His teammates are blocking their cell numbers now and working on their imitations of other players, coaches, assistants, and a Rooney to be named later, all to mess with the rookie.

Get the phone, David.  I’m sure it’s for you!