Former Steelers spread anti-bullying message
MASONTOWN – The deafening welcome they received from black-and-gold-attired fans waving Terrible Towels might have had former Pittsburgh Steelers greats Louis Lipps and John Banaszak reminiscing about their days on the gridiron. But these fans, more than 200 students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Masontown Elementary School, were not even twinkles in their parents’ eyes when Lipps was catching passes from Mark Malone and Banaszak was sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach.
They didn’t come to talk about Xs and Os anyway. Instead, they shared some of the lessons they learned about becoming successful.
“I listened to my parents. I listened to my teachers. I listened to my coaches. I was able to accomplish a lot of things,” said Lipps, a two-time AFC All-Pro and Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Steelers. “There’s no reason it can’t work for you. Respect your fellow classmates. Respect your teachers. Respect your parents, they know a little bit about what your about to go through.”
Lipps, a New Orleans, La., native, said he had to work hard to earn a college scholarship, play well enough to get drafted in the first round and make career in the National Football League.
“I had to work hard, hard, hard at it,” Lipps said.
He encouraged the students to use their minds and hearts to pursue their goals.
“You can accomplish anything. As long as you put it in your head and in your heart you can accomplish anything,” Lipps said.
“In anything you get involved with, you only get out what you put into it,” he said.
His last message might have been the most important.
“Always remember: Put good things in your body and you’ll get good things out of it,” said Lipps.
Banaszak, who said he managed to overcome being born in Cleveland, Ohio, talked to the students about not being bullies.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a tough guy as long as you’re a smart, tough guy,” said Banaszak, who earned three Super Bowl rings as a defensive tackle with the Steelers. “You treat somebody the way you want to be treated. If you’re a bully, one day you’re going to meet another bully and he’s going to be bigger and stronger than you.”
He said people who are successful are smart and tough.
“There’s no substitute for hard work. That’s the key to success,” Banaszak said.
He said one of the favorite sayings of his coach, Chuck Noll, was: “Whatever it takes.”
“Whatever it takes. That’s a powerful little message W.I.T. Whatever it takes,” Banaszak said. “Each step in your life is going to be a challenge.”