Former Steelers wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster hosts event to say goodbye to Pittsburgh fans

It was June 2020 and the Stamm family was here less than 24 hours after leaving Nebraska to return to Pittsburgh, where Jim Stamm grew up and wanted to raise his son.

His wife, Chris, received a message on her phone that former Pittsburgh Steelers star receiver Juju Smith-Schuster was delivering pizza that day for Pizza Hut.

The family didn’t think they were among the luckiest that day, but two hours later Smith-Schuster knocked on the door of the Airbnb Mexican War Streets where they were staying.

He posed for pictures with their son Ben, now 6, and discussed their move.

On Sunday, the Stamms were among hundreds of people who showed up at The Terminal in the Strip District to say goodbye to Smith-Schuster at a charity autograph session he hosted. They had him sign the picture of him with their 2020 son and then took pictures with him.

“He’s so genuine,” Jim Stamm said Sunday afternoon. “I think he’s a very hard worker.”

Smith-Schuster, who signed with Kansas City this offseason, said he still wanted to hold the event — which was scheduled long before he signed a contract with the Chiefs — to thank his fans in Pittsburgh.

“It was kind of like going too fast,” he said, pausing in the signing and smiling for the photos. “I really didn’t say goodbye to all my fans and supporters.”

Former Pittsburgh Steeler Juju Smith-Schuster uses today’s event to thank his fans and say goodbye to Pittsburgh as his career has taken him to Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/WMdlErNLO6

— Paula Reed Ward (@PaulaReedWard) June 12, 2022

His organization had 3,000 merchandise items in stock — shirts, hats and hoodies — and for a $20 donation, fans could get an item, autographs and photos.

And all the money goes to Pittsburgh charities, including Paws Across Pittsburgh; The Miracle League; Magee-Womens and Vintage Research Institute.

“It’s about giving back to the people who have supported me since day one,” Smith-Schuster said. “It was difficult for me to leave the city where I started my career.”

The event, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., saw lineups a block and a half before the doors even opened, and it continued to stretch until late after. -midday.

Smith-Schuster canceled the flight he had later on Sunday so he could greet everyone in line, his staff said.

His mother, Sammy Schuster, said she fell in love with Pittsburgh as much as her son after he was drafted to the Steelers at 19.

“When I saw how Pittsburgh embraced and loved him, he now had this huge family,” she said.

Ariel Holstein, 21, of Oakland, and his girlfriend, Lauren Burke, 20, of Squirrel Hill, spent two hours waiting in line on Sunday afternoon. But while waiting, they received pizzas and shirts from Smith-Schuster and the people organizing the event.

“Every second is worth it,” Holstein said.

Students at the University of Pittsburgh were thrilled to see Smith-Schuster.

“He’s done so much for the city,” Holstein said. “He’s a great guy.”

They stopped to say hello to Smith-Schuster’s well-known French bulldog, Boujee, and took a photo with him as well.

“I think Juju is great on the court and much better off it,” Holstein said.

“He deserved the good bye,” Burke added. “It’s bittersweet. He’s going to do better things, but the city will miss him a lot.

People line up outside the Strip Terminal in Pittsburgh to say goodbye to @TeamJuJu. It’s a pretty massive line. pic.twitter.com/D2XKDTnpQE

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) June 12, 2022

Christyada Gordon, who attends Seton Hill University, stood in line for three hours to meet Smith-Schuster.

“I’m obsessed with the city, and he, literally, is obsessed with the city,” she said.

Gordon said she appreciates that the professional athletes who represent Pittsburgh love her as much as she does.

Darnell Crockett, 12, had been waiting months for the Smith-Schuster autograph event.

Crockett, who lives in Virginia but summers in Pittsburgh, said Smith-Schuster is unique among NFL players. He appreciates that Smith-Schuster takes time with his fans, greets them and poses for pictures no matter what.

Smith-Schuster said he has adjusted well to life in Kansas City. There’s a great team atmosphere and the environment in his community is great, he said.

“We wanted to let the Pittsburgh fans know – thank you so much for everything they’ve done for my son,” Sammy Schuster said. “It has been an incredible journey.

“This is not a goodbye. It’s later.