Overview
- The Pittsburgh Steelers canceled the fan-accessible final practice at Saint Vincent College on Monday after the team announced the campus was closed because of a projected lightning threat.
- Coach Mike McCarthy opted to break camp a day early so the team could move back to its Pittsburgh headquarters and preserve its preparation routine ahead of the upcoming preseason game against the New York Jets.
- Work continued indoors at the new UPMC Rooney Sports Complex so players could practice despite the weather, though McCarthy said indoor sessions cannot match the intensity of outdoor practices in front of fans.
- Many fans who had traveled to Latrobe were already on site and in line when the announcement came, producing visible disappointment among supporters who value public camp sessions.
- McCarthy praised Saint Vincent’s facilities and staff as excellent and said the club will return next year with plans to possibly extend the stay to keep the away-camp tradition that the team uses for bonding and preparation.