(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh's Action Sports reporter Ryan Recker had a one-on-one interview with Bill Cowher on Thursday in New York City at Central Park to discuss his upcoming Hall of Fame induction ceremony in a few weeks.
Cowher touched on a myriad of topics in his interview with Recker, which included handing the Lombardi Trophy to Dan Rooney after winning Super Bowl XL, which Cowher calls his "proudest" and "happiest" moment of his life. Cowher also considers himself a proud New Yorker now even though he was born and raised in Pittsburgh.
Cowher's football life began in Crafton, just 10 miles from Three Rivers Stadium and now Heinz Field, and it will be concluded in Canton.
"It's very humbling. So many great players and coaches in there. I just always go back to a kid from Crafton, right? Who was given opportunities by people, who did the very best he could at it. I just hope they are as proud of me as I am of them," an emotional Cowher said.
Cowher got emotional because he was thinking about the people in his life who have passed on.
"My parents, Kaye (Cowher's late wife), Marty (Schottenheimer), Dan (Rooney). ... They were there," Cowher said.
Schottenheimer gave Cowher his first coaching opportunity in 1985 as a special teams coach for the Browns. Schottenheimer also coached Cowher when he was a player in Cleveland. Cowher often notes that Schottenheimer and Rooney were his two biggest mentors. Schottenheimer passed away in February.
This past St. Patrick's Day, Cowher revealed that Steelers President Art Rooney II would present him into the Hall of Fame. It was a choice that was a no-brainer for Cowher, as the Rooneys always treated him like he was family.
Along with Cowher, Troy Polamalu and Donnie Shell will be enshrined as members of the Class of 2020 on Aug. 7. In addition, Alan Faneca will be enshrined as a member of the Class of 2021 on Aug. 8. Bill Nunn was enshrined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in April during a ceremony for the posthumous candidates, as a member of the Class of 2021. Nunn will be recognized during the Aug. 8 ceremony as well.