Tommy Streeter gets Steelers jersey

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The black and gold jersey in receiver Tommy Streeter's locker stood out, especially since the Jacksonville Jaguars had played the Pittsburgh Steelers at EverBank Field the day before.

When a closer look revealed it was a No. 84 Steelers jersey, an explanation was needed.

Turned out to be pretty simple. Streeter, who has been on the Jaguars' practice squad since Sept. 29, is a childhood friend of Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. He asked Brown before the game if he could have his jersey and that's why it was autographed and hanging in Streeter's locker.

"I told him that it'd be cool to have everybody who I ever played with growing up," Streeter said. "Me, him, T.Y. Hilton were on the same [Pop Warner] team growing up. We play the Colts so I'll probably ask him for his, too."

Streeter and Brown grew up in Miami. The 26-year-old Brown played at Norland High School and starred at Central Michigan before being drafted by Pittsburgh in the sixth round in 2010. Streeter, who turned 25 on Tuesday, played at Northwestern High School and starred at Miami before leaving school after his junior season. He was a sixth-round pick by Baltimore in 2012 and has spent time with the Ravens, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay before signing with the Jaguars last month.

Though they've taken different paths to the NFL, they have remained close, Streeter said.

"Even when I was coming out for the combine and stuff he was the one teaching me to run routes and stuff like that," Streeter said. "Every time I go home I go by his family's house to say what's up, play with his little brothers and stuff like that. I just have always been involved with the family, always coming up and staying close-knit with them.

"It was cool to see him out there, all the success he's been having over the years and stuff. I just thought it would be cool to have that."

When asked about the jersey on Wednesday, Brown said that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has banned the practice from now on after what happened Sunday. Jaguars running back Denard Robinson and Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell -- rivals in college at Michigan and Michigan State, respectively -- also exchanged jerseys, Brown said.

But he was a little surprised to know that Streeter had the jersey hanging in his locker on Monday.

"Oh, he does?" he said.

He said that Streeter may have in part wanted the jersey because it symbolizes how tough Brown's road to the NFL has been. He grew up in the rough Liberty City area of Miami and was homeless for a time as a teenager.

"I think I inspire a lot of guys from my neck of the woods from what I've been through and where I'm at," he said.

Streeter said he's hoping Jaguars fans don't get upset at him for asking for the jersey, or for having it hanging in his locker.

"It's just one of those things where you have a personal relationship someone outside of work," Streeter said. "It doesn't go beyond that. It was I mutually respect you, we come from the same place, I'm happy for you type thing."


(espn.com)