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Camp receives rave reviews

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 3 min read
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Michael Kiley from Mt. Lebanon focuses on catching the football during the Christian Kuntz youth football camp.

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Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Reed Turnbull gets his Steelers jersey autographed by Christian Kuntz. After putting on his first youth football camp, Kuntz signed autographs for all the participants.

After the first Christian Kuntz Youth Football Camp concluded July 15, second- through eighth-grade players praised the event and gave the Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper two thumbs up.

“Amazing,” said Gabby Hieserich as she cooled off with a free scoop of ice cream provided to campers from Bruster’s.

“It was really fun,” chimed in Michael Kiley.

Kiley plays tackle football. He is a running back and an outside linebacker in the Mt. Lebanon youth football program.

Kiley added that he learned so much that he would attend the camp again when it returns next summer to Chartiers Valley, Kuntz’s high school alma mater. He particularly liked the 40-yard dash and was pleased with his time of 5.03 seconds.

“I learned agility stuff, how to juke better and I learned blocking,” he said.

A fan of quarterback Kenny Pickett, Kiley said that he didn’t know where Kuntz would rank among his favorite Steelers. “He would be high though,” Kiley said.

Reed Turnbull of Mt. Lebanon is also a fan of Pickett as well as linebacker T.J. Watt. Turnbull is a quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and running back in the Lebo youth program.

“No, not a long snapper,” he said with a laugh, “but (Christian) would rank in the Top 3 among my favorite Steelers. I learned so much from him, like how to listen.”

Matthew Smith of Mt. Lebanon not only had the luxury of listening to Kuntz dispense his wisdom and knowledge of football. He sometimes works out with Kuntz when he visits the AmeriFit Fitness Club in Scott Township.

“Christian is my favorite,” Smith enthused. “I learned how to tackle better (at camp) but I also get to see how hard he works (at the gym). He has always been really nice.”

Mason Phillips of Mars agreed. He is neighbors with Kuntz’s brother, Jim. So he has met the Steeler before.

“He’s a great guy and his camp was good. I liked going to the different stations, learning and exercising. I also liked making new friends.”

Phillips did not mind the conditions. Temperatures soared to the high 80s and humidity levels were equally oppressive.

“I’m sweating bad,” Phillips said. “But this will get me ready for the season.”

Phillips’s mother, Lee, agreed. She noted that football season is not too far off. In fact, the Steelers begin training camp this Friday, July 26 and many of the Pop Warner Youth Football Leagues start practicing Aug. 1.

“Football is starting in a few weeks and this was a good opportunity for the kids to do some conditioning,” she said. “This was a great day to get the kids ready because the heat is what’s going to be here when they play. So they have to get used to it.

Lee Phillips also liked how well-organized the camp was.

“It ran smoothly and it looked like it was fun,” she said.

Lee Phillips also pointed out that proceeds from the camp were being donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through Kuntz’s newly formed non-profit organization. Her newly born cousin was diagnosed with the disease.

“So this camp was a really good opportunity to raise money and awareness as well as give back. There are so many new treatments going on that weren’t there awhile ago.”

Mason Phillips, meanwhile, returned the focus back to football. He predicts a great year for Kuntz and the Steelers.

“I think it’s going to be a good season. They got a lot of draft picks. Joey Porter Jr. was a good one,” he said.

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