Coach Sullivan brings the warrior spirit to the Steelers
The Steelers quarterback coach is the grandson of Mexican immigrants and he feels proud of the “warrior spirit” that runs through his veins.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have built a reputation for being one of the franchises with the most character and competitive nature, bot only in the NFL, but in any league in the world.
Mike Sullivan wants to add the “warrior spirit” of the Mexicans to the black and gold mystique.
Sullivan, in his second year as the Steelers quarterback coach, is proud of his Mexican roots and what he has learned as part of the Guerrero family.
“My grandparents immigrated from Mexico in the 1930s. My mother was born in California, my father met her in Guadalupde, California, and most of my childhood was in California,” told Sullivan in an interview with AS during the Steelers’ first week of training camp. “Growing up within the culture, it was so...I was immersed in that, and it was so wonderful to learn about the strong faith and the values and work ethic.”
From his mother, he learned part of the idiosyncrasy of Mexicans, including the resilience that characterizes the people of Aztec blood.
“The warrior spirit. My mom’s maiden name is Enriqueta Álvarez Guerrero,” said Sullivan. “So that warrior spirit is something I always take a lot of pride in and it warms my heart every time out at the stadium and even out here at practice, I always see a Mexican flag. And I always go out of my way, particularly when we win to have a wristband or a talon and go up there and say, ‘Viva Mexico!’”
Speaking Spanish, Sullivan said, “I am very proud of my blood and my culture, and it’s really important to me.”
But is he capable of bringing that warrior spirit to the Steelers?
“I think so. I at least try. You know that things aren’t always going to be easy, you are going to have adversity,” said Sullivan. “Coach Mike Tomlin talks about it, about smiling at adversity, and you know as a warrior that it’s not always going to be easy. When it’s tough is when you have to pick yourself up and that’s what I try to share with the players and the quarterbacks, and they’ve been very receptive, and that’s very satisfying.”
Sullivan was the quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (2018), New York Giants (2010-11, 2015-17) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-13); he was also the wide receivers coach for the Giants from 2004-2009.
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In his first season as offensive coordinator in New York in 2016, the Giants finished 11-5 and quarterback Eli Manning threw for over 4,000 yards while wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was third in the NFL with 1,357 yards.
Sullivan started his coaching career in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars as assistant defensive coach in 2002. One year later, he started his offensive coaching.
In Pittsburgh, his most important mission is to develop rookie Kenny Pickett, who the Steelers are banking on being the next franchise quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger retired.
And if Pickett pays attention to the teacher, he just might learn the secrets of that Mexican warrior spirit that runs through coach Mike Sullivan’s veins.