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A driving force Kuntz’s success

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 4 min read
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Behind every great man is a great woman. So goes the adage.

For Christian Kuntz, however, there have been two females behind his success. His girlfriend, Heather McGlothlin, and his mother, Cathy, have enabled the Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper to emerge as a philanthropist with his newly formed nonprofit organization.

After a successful golf outing in June, Kuntz4Ki6s sponsored a youth football camp July 15 at Chartiers Valley High School. Some 220 boys and girls in grades 2 through 8 attended. Proceeds from both events benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“Because of him growing up and being from here, it’s so special for Christian to play for his hometown team,” said McGlothlin. “He really wanted to give back to his community and when we’d started talking about ways to do that, we came up with the idea of the youth camp. Honestly, we were just so grateful to be able to have a bunch of kids come out and have fun.”

McGlothlin enjoyed organizing the event because she was recognized as one of the 50 Finest by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for 2023.

Each year, the organization selects 50 people in the community who are working or have a business to help reach its fundraising goals. McGlothlin owns Nude Skyn, which is a spray tan studio located in the Strip District.

Thanks to the golf outing, which raised over $20,000, the youth camp and other activities, McGlothlin has reached her goal.

“It has been amazing,” she said.

“It’s cool to see it come full circle and for Christian being from here and ending up here and being able to have this camp here at Chartiers Valley was a win. It’s really awesome.”

Mrs. Kuntz was equally delighted. She volunteers whenever her son asks or needs her but she deflects credit.

“It’s all Christian and his girlfriend,” she said. “She is very involved and very organized. Heather does an amazing job to raise the money but I’m always there to help.”

Mrs. Kuntz had been there from the start. She recognized her youngest son’s potential almost immediately.

“Since he has been little, he has always had a ball in his hand. He always wanted to play football,” she said.

“I’m very proud of him. It’s so exciting for me to see him giving back to the community and starting his own non-profit. That’s the most exciting thing. It’s his vision to continue to give back to his home community, the community where he was raised.”

As a Scott Township resident and a CV alumnae, Mrs. Kuntz is even more thrilled.

“Christian’s giving back to my home community. It’s so heartwarming to see the money he can raise and what he can do.”

Despite bumps and bruises along the way, Christian Kuntz succeeded in pursuing his dream of becoming an NFL pro as well as an upstanding citizen. He earned letters in football and basketball for the Colts before he played linebacker at Duquesne University. After switching positions and becoming a long snapper, he reached the NFL. He played for four teams before catching on with the Steelers.

“Christian faced some difficult times but he always played with his heart and soul. Nothing ever stopped him. He continued to pursue his dream,” said Mrs. Kuntz.

“His determination and work ethic are what really stood out. Most definitely that propelled him into the NFL,” she added.

As the Steelers open training camp on July 26, McGlothlin is optimistic about the 2023-24 season.

“Christian is going to be healthy. He’s worked through some injuries but I feel like it is going to be a great season with a great team. Christian will show up.

“He’s happy to be there and I think that every single day he is still in shock that he’s able to put on the jersey and play for his home team. He’s the most humble guy I know and he’s super great. He works hard, too. He just keeps going.”

Mrs. Kuntz, too, is excited for the football campaign. She says the highlight of Steeler contests are attending the home games and “cheering” for her son.

“I’m so proud of him, his camaraderie with his teammates, how he has meshed with everybody and how he has really made a name for himself.”

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