Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns is practicing jiu-jitsu in order to improve his skills on the field.
“I’m taking [Brazilian] jiu-jitsu,” Burns told Missi Matthews of Steelers.com. “Learning how to control my body. Work on my strength. Because we jam a lot. Jiu-jitsu is a lot of hands on. It’ll help me better with tackling, take downs and stuff like that.”
According to Steelers Depot, Burns would probably not stick with the art long enough to get his black belt.
There are many reasons people study BJJ. Some of them study for self-defense, some to be the next ADCC or IBJJF champions, and others simply for a love of the art.
But practicing it to help you with your football? We here at the Jiu-Jitsu Times have to say this is a first.
Best of luck to you, Artie Burns, in your jiu-jitsu endeavors! We hope you seriously consider sticking with jiu-jitsu long enough to get that black belt — preferably longer.
Remember, BJJ is a lifelong journey.
