The Steelers have signed their top draft pick, second-round choice Chase Claypool, a wide receiver out of Notre Dame. Claypool was taken with the 49th overall selection in the draft. Pittsburgh did not have a first-round draft pick this year because of the trade last fall for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Claypool signed a four-year $6.6 million deal with a signing bonus of $2.37 million.
Fourth-round choice Antony McFarland signed a four-year deal, too. The speedy running back from Maryland inked a contract worth just over $4 million, with a signing bonus of over $722,000.
Sixth-round pick Antoine Brooks Jr. also signed yesterday. The safety, also out of Maryland also signed the standard four-year rookie deal, worth $3/46 million, with a signing bonus of $170,832.
The death of Carlton Haselrig yesterday brings to a close a remarkable story. The former Steelers guard was drafted in the 12th round in 1989 after not having played college football. He was injured in practice for Lock Haven before his freshman season began, and transferred to his hometown UPJ, where he won an unprecedented six NCAA wrestling championships, three each at the Division One and Division Two levels, thanks to a rule in place at the time that allowed lower-level champions to move up a class and compete in Division One. His championships at both levels led to the “Haselrig Rule”, which ended the practice.
Haselrig made the Pro Bowl for the Steelers in 1992, but his career was cut short by substance abuse. He had turned his life around and in January was hired as coach of the Flood City Thunder semi-pro team in Johnstown. Haselrig died of natural causes at the age of 54.
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