This Steelers superfan has let his love for wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster go to his head – permanently.
A Pennsylvania man who met Schuster on Friday during the team’s first day of training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe got the wide receiver’s signature and jersey number tattooed on the right side of his skull next to already-existing ink of the team’s iconic helmet.
Joel Schock, 37, of Lancaster, will now get season tickets as a result of his dedication, Schuster announced on Twitter.
The free-spirited Pro Bowl receiver told reporters Friday that he was approached by an autograph-seeking fan who didn’t have the typical pen and paper to accompany the request.
“Bro, he had the Steelers logo, like, tattooed in his head, so he had a Mohawk,” Smith-Schuster told ESPN. “And then, he’s like, ‘Can you sign it to my helmet?’ I’m like, ‘What helmet are you talking about?’ I signed his head, his actual head. Like Sharpie, all that.”
Smith-Schuster, 22, then predicted that the Steeler Nation faithful wouldn’t take a shower for the next week. One reporter even suggested that the fan might actually take it one step further by turning the signature into skin art.
“He might, honestly,” Smith-Schuster continued. “If he does, that’s lit. If he gets that tattooed on his head, I’ll get him any tickets to any game. So if he’s out there watching this … yes.”
That was apparently all Schock needed. The self-employed contractor posted a photo on Facebook Saturday of his latest tat, showing Smith-Schuster’s now-indelible imprint. He also shared a photo of a black-and-gold van parked outside of a tattoo shop.
“Get your free tix brother!!!” one reply read.
One of Schock’s friends also suggested that he tweet the image directly to Smith-Schuster, but Schock said he didn’t “do Twitter” and asked the man to pass along the message for him, which he did on Saturday.
Smith-Schuster then announced that he would make good on his promise, prompting some followers to ask for other unorthodox ways for free tickets to Heinz Field.
“Juju what can I do for tickets??” one reply read.
Schock could not be reached for comment early Monday.
