Ryan McCollum, a stalwart center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, credits his professional football career to his formative years in Houston. Growing up in Texas, he was blessed with opportunities and capabilities that allowed him to excel as an athlete.
The high school star's prowess earned multiple college offers, which he chose to stay close to home by signing with Texas A&M. His aspirations were fueled by watching legendary Texans players like JJ Watt, who "just restructured everything" in his approach to the game, and Andre Johnson, a player he admired for his dedication. However, McCollum's favorite coach was head coach DeMeco Ryans, whose last name was an amusing coincidence – as Ryan's surname matched his own.
Despite going undrafted, McCollum persevered and pursued his NFL dreams with stints in the Texans and Lions organizations before eventually landing with Pittsburgh in 2022. Years later, he's now on the precipice of a playoff matchup against the team that had captivated him since childhood.
When asked to address the upcoming game, McCollum was reminded of friends from his high school days, many of whom would be attending the match. He jokingly warned them: "No Texans gear – if you wear it, you're buying your own ticket." The banter between family and friends was a testament to how far he'd come.
Reflecting on his five-year tenure in the NFL, McCollum expressed gratitude for being able to live out his childhood dreams. He acknowledged that not everyone can say they've achieved this level of success, stating he felt "extremely blessed" to be where he is today.
The high school star's prowess earned multiple college offers, which he chose to stay close to home by signing with Texas A&M. His aspirations were fueled by watching legendary Texans players like JJ Watt, who "just restructured everything" in his approach to the game, and Andre Johnson, a player he admired for his dedication. However, McCollum's favorite coach was head coach DeMeco Ryans, whose last name was an amusing coincidence – as Ryan's surname matched his own.
Despite going undrafted, McCollum persevered and pursued his NFL dreams with stints in the Texans and Lions organizations before eventually landing with Pittsburgh in 2022. Years later, he's now on the precipice of a playoff matchup against the team that had captivated him since childhood.
When asked to address the upcoming game, McCollum was reminded of friends from his high school days, many of whom would be attending the match. He jokingly warned them: "No Texans gear – if you wear it, you're buying your own ticket." The banter between family and friends was a testament to how far he'd come.
Reflecting on his five-year tenure in the NFL, McCollum expressed gratitude for being able to live out his childhood dreams. He acknowledged that not everyone can say they've achieved this level of success, stating he felt "extremely blessed" to be where he is today.
did u know that there's this one type of orchid that can grow up to 6ft tall in like a day? 
and then i started thinking about ryan mccollum's journey from texas to becoming an nfl star... it's crazy how far he's come & how much love & support he had along the way 
what's ur fave sports team btw 
. It's amazing how that coach DeMeco Ryans made a lasting impression on him, and now it's like the universe is coming full circle with a playoff matchup against his hometown Texans 
. His humility and gratitude are infectious - we can all learn from his 'extremely blessed' attitude 
.
Another injury report just came in 
: 3 more NFL players are on the short list for season-ending surgeries 
. This time it's 49ers WR Deebo Samuel and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, joining the growing list of injured starters... 
. It's amazing how far he's come from being a high school star in Texas, and I think it's awesome that he's giving back to his roots by facing off against his old team.
what i love about ryan mccollum is that he stayed true to his roots and never forgot where he came from its so inspiring to see him give back to the community and stuff 
You know what's wild? How many times have you seen a player's surname just happen to match their coach's last name? It's like they're sending some kinda message or something. And then there's this Ryan McCollum guy, who just so happens to play for the team that has DeMeco Ryans as its head coach... what are the chances, right? 
It's almost like they were meant to be teammates. And don't even get me started on JJ Watt and Andre Johnson - they're like two peas in a pod or something. It's all a bit too convenient if you ask me 
DeMeco Ryans might not be a legend in the making, but he's definitely played a huge role in McCollum's success. The fact that Ryan has persevered despite going undrafted is a testament to his determination and work ethic.
. and can u believe his coach deMeco ryans is in the same position as him now?! that's just crazy talk 
anyway, i'm hyped 4 him & the steelers! go team! 
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It's always the same old formula: "athlete shares childhood story" or "athlete reflects on career highlights"... Can't they give us something new for once? 
And don't even get me started on how they're gonna flood my newsfeed with Steelers gear and Texans fan merch 
... like I wanted to buy all that stuff anyway, no thanks 