lamberts-lost-tooth
12-08-2008, 01:04 PM
Washington hold on bitter cold day
By Bill Allmann
Times Sports Correspondent
Published: Monday, December 8, 2008 12:20 AM EST
PITTSBURGH — The stands were barely two-thirds full five minutes before kickoff as many fans put off arriving at their cold seats until the very last minute. The wind chill at kickoff was eight degrees.
But it wasn’t just the fans who noticed.
“It’s tough to play in 20-degree weather,” said Nate Washington, who finished as the Steelers’ top receiver despite not catching his first pass until two minutes left in the third quarter. “Just because we play in Pittsburgh doesn’t mean we’re used to this.”
Washington, though, wouldn’t even commit to this being the coldest game he ever played in. Geneva College fans may remember this game from November 2003.
That Saturday night, Washington was a member of the Tiffin University Dragons and accounted for every completion Tiffin had that night as they defeated Geneva 16-13 in Tiffin, Ohio.
“That night was colder,” Washington said. “I remember that game well.
“We went to watch the game films later and we couldn’t. The film was green because the camera froze.”
Playing in front of maybe hundreds of fans that night, Washington showed sure hands, a trait he continued to show in front of 60,000-plus at Heinz Field and a national television crowd. His first catch of the drive that tied the game in the final minutes was a masterful one that some questioned was really a catch.
“I knew I was definitely under it,” said Washington of the 14-yard completion in front of the Dallas bench. “I wanted them to challenge so they’d lose a timeout but my enthusiasm may have made them change their mind.”
On the next play, Washington caught a 32-yard pass to take the ball into Dallas territory at the 32-yard line. Four plays later, he got the ball into the red zone with a 16-yard reception.
“I don’t think I was the go-to guy,” Washington said. “Ben made great reads and found the open guy. It was me.”
On the tackle by Ken Hamlin after his last catch, though, he lay on the field long enough for the officials to stop the clock for an injury. Replays seemed to suggest a dislocated ankle or a broken foot. Moments later, Washington walked off without a limp.
“I don’t know how Nate got up from that deal,” said coach Mike Tomlin. “By the time I got out there he was jumping around and running.”
“It’s not an injury,” Washington said. “I’ll be practicing Wednesday. Don’t call it an injury. I could go out there now and play.”
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/12/08/sports/steelers/doc493cad55dd233563305888.txt
By Bill Allmann
Times Sports Correspondent
Published: Monday, December 8, 2008 12:20 AM EST
PITTSBURGH — The stands were barely two-thirds full five minutes before kickoff as many fans put off arriving at their cold seats until the very last minute. The wind chill at kickoff was eight degrees.
But it wasn’t just the fans who noticed.
“It’s tough to play in 20-degree weather,” said Nate Washington, who finished as the Steelers’ top receiver despite not catching his first pass until two minutes left in the third quarter. “Just because we play in Pittsburgh doesn’t mean we’re used to this.”
Washington, though, wouldn’t even commit to this being the coldest game he ever played in. Geneva College fans may remember this game from November 2003.
That Saturday night, Washington was a member of the Tiffin University Dragons and accounted for every completion Tiffin had that night as they defeated Geneva 16-13 in Tiffin, Ohio.
“That night was colder,” Washington said. “I remember that game well.
“We went to watch the game films later and we couldn’t. The film was green because the camera froze.”
Playing in front of maybe hundreds of fans that night, Washington showed sure hands, a trait he continued to show in front of 60,000-plus at Heinz Field and a national television crowd. His first catch of the drive that tied the game in the final minutes was a masterful one that some questioned was really a catch.
“I knew I was definitely under it,” said Washington of the 14-yard completion in front of the Dallas bench. “I wanted them to challenge so they’d lose a timeout but my enthusiasm may have made them change their mind.”
On the next play, Washington caught a 32-yard pass to take the ball into Dallas territory at the 32-yard line. Four plays later, he got the ball into the red zone with a 16-yard reception.
“I don’t think I was the go-to guy,” Washington said. “Ben made great reads and found the open guy. It was me.”
On the tackle by Ken Hamlin after his last catch, though, he lay on the field long enough for the officials to stop the clock for an injury. Replays seemed to suggest a dislocated ankle or a broken foot. Moments later, Washington walked off without a limp.
“I don’t know how Nate got up from that deal,” said coach Mike Tomlin. “By the time I got out there he was jumping around and running.”
“It’s not an injury,” Washington said. “I’ll be practicing Wednesday. Don’t call it an injury. I could go out there now and play.”
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/12/08/sports/steelers/doc493cad55dd233563305888.txt