TikTok Star And Sometime Steeler, JuJu Smith-Schuster: 'Football Will Always Come First"

JuJu Smith-Schuster suddenly finds himself with plenty of time to dance, post and comment for his TikTok and Instragram followers, which total more than 6.5 million. He injured a shoulder in Sunday's win over Denver, and now Smith-Schuster has had to deal with the news that his season is more than likely over, leaving him an abundance of free time away from the field.

“I know the whole social media thing, and the TikTok and the dancing,” a tearful Smith-Schuster told attendees at an event for his Foundation. “I do it because it’s my personality and I love it. Don’t get me wrong, football will always come first."

Smith-Schuster, whose season will end with just 15 catches, 129 yards and no scores, reiterated to attendees that football, not social media, is what drives him:

"Without football I wouldn’t be who I am today. Without football this wouldn’t be. I wouldn’t be a role model for a whole lot of people.”

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shares JuJu's disappointment, telling reporters on Wednesday:

"It's awful. I'm hurt because I miss that guy and what he brings to this team. His energy, his excitement, his leadership. It sucks and I'm not even the one hurt."

Nearing the close of his speech to the JuJu Foundation, Smith-Schuster again choked up and said, "You just never know what the future holds for you.”

Smith-Schuster inked a one-year, $8 million deal to re-sign with Pittsburgh this past offseason. He'll dance his way towards an uncertain free agent market this March.

 

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