True Life: Ball Boys Part 1

We will follow the life of the rookie class of ball boys and speak to ball boy alumni.

You think you know...but you have no idea. This is the diary of a Pittsburgh Steeler ball boy.


Rodgers Freyvogel - Head Equipment Manager

Rich Baker aka "The Bakeman" - Assistant Equipment Manager


"Rodge runs a tight shift around here. We usually work from 6:30 to 8:00. When there is a two-a-day it goes till about 9:30. It's no joke dude setting up all sleds and dragging 4 fields 3 tiems each. Carrying JUGS Machines and Genorators over 400 yards blows."

"If you love staring at 7'1" black guys' cocks then hey, this is your calling."

Cleaning jock straps, washing equipment is the daily routine for these young men. "It is really tough your rookie year all the other ball boys have to initiate you, keep you inline." Those who are lucky only have to sing infront of the team...for others, things can be brutal down at St. Vincents. Ball Boys are often segregated and join factions, such as the Ball Boy power house Evolution run by Tyrone Carter. "If your in Evolution your a made man. You get to hang out with us outside of camp and are exempt from any physical labor." says leader Tyrone Carter.

"Mr. Jocko ruined my life"

"Evolution don't play games" says a former ball boy. "When we were unpacking from a preseason game a few years back they took Alonzo Jacksons game used jock and gave me the "mandible claw" with it. Later that night they woke me up and gave me the "people's elbow".





2006 was a rebuilding year for us. They lost the core members of Evolution (two of the founding fathers). Trying to switch things up they went from Lemon to Orange Gatorade, it seemed to have done the trick as the Steelers finished the season on a high note.

To be continued...