ASK THE STEELERS – TONY HILLS – PART 3

Steelers.com brings you the Ask the Steelers feature. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.

From Dan Cook in Powell, Ohio: What do you think will be the biggest adjustment to the NFL for you?
Tony Hills: The speed of the game. That is usually what it is from each level. I just have to go out there and get my feet wet and see how it is. After that just do what I have been doing since I played this game as a young kid.

From Len Morgan in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Have you heard yet how passionate Steelers fans are about the team and are you looking forward to playing for a team with that kind of atmosphere?
Tony Hills: Leaving on passionate city to another one is a great thing. I know they have the bring your lunch pail to work attitude which is something I love. That is what I try to live by – hard work. I am very excited.

From Jim Campbell in Fredericksburg, Virginia: A lot is made about players hitting the rookie wall when the season starts to wear on.  How do you avoid that? 
Tony Hills: Just knowing that this is my job.  Having the piece of mind knowing it happens to everybody and you just have to push through it. Once I feel myself getting to that moment I can call on Casey to ask him what he did to get through it and I can talk about my experience going through it with Limas. Those are the positives of having those two guys there.

From Steve James in Sanbury, Pennsylvania: What do you like to do to get away from football?
Tony Hills: I like to just hang out with my family and friends. I like to go to the movies or go bowling. I like playing Nintendo Wii. Things like that.

From Randy Clinton, York, Pennsylvania: If you were not a football player, what career path would you have followed?
Tony Hills: I would have went into coaching. That is something I am very passionate about, coaching kids. I would like to try to be an inspiration and leader to them. I still plan on doing that after I am finished playing football.

From Ray Cooper, Sarasota, Florida: Do you enjoy any sports other than football? If so, what and who are your favorite teams?
Tony Hills: I love basketball. I am a LeBron James fan. I have my guy Daniel Gibson playing for the Cavaliers. I pull for them all of the time. I also like Kevin Garnett. Those are the players I watch the most. I was stuck with the Cavs-Celtics series and who I wanted to win.

From Mike Powers in Des Moines, Iowa:   Not long from now you will sign a contract and get a signing bonus. What’s the first thing you plan on buying with that bonus?
Tony Hills: I plan on putting it in the bank. Then I will go from there. I want to get a place for my mom to stay. That will be the first thing I do.