Matt Lentz didn’t make the final cut for the Pittsburgh Steelers team this year, but he’s not giving up on football just yet.
The Steelers released Lentz, a 2001 Brandon High School graduate, Aug. 29.
‘I had an interview with the head coach and he said I took advantage of every opportunity I had, but it’s a numbers game,? Lentz said. ‘My agent is out there trying to find work for me.?
The former University of Michigan offensive lineman, twice an All-Big Ten selection, was signed by the New York Giants as a free agent in April 2006. During his first season, he suffered an elbow injury, from which he fully recovered, but was cut by the Giants a second time in October last year.
The Steelers signed Lentz, 25, to their reserve/future roster last December. Lentz plans to go back to working out and doing stuff around his home in St. Clair Shores while waiting to see if his agent finds a team for him.
‘If my agent gets a hit from a team they’ll bring me in for a workout and I’ll go from there,? he said. ‘I’m not ready to give up on football yet.?
However, Lentz said if he doesn’t have a team by the end of this season, he will be ready to move on. His wife, Tricia, is expecting their first child in November and he said that doesn’t make it easy to live paycheck to paycheck.
‘I don’t have a bad attitude toward them cutting me,? said Lentz, who is thankful to his family, friends and the community for their continued support.
‘I understand. Guys working hard and getting cut and then having to scrape by is a part of football not a lot of people know about. I’ve learned how to stretch a penny.?