Thursday, July 30, 1998
Fuamatu-Maafala
looks ‘bus-like’ in
Steelers’ scrimmage
The former St. Louis School
By Alan Robinson
standout is a workhorse in the
victory over the Redskins
Associated PressLATROBE, Pa. -- Stars such as Jerome Bettis didn't play, which allowed second-tier players such as Hawaii's Chris Fuamata-Maafala to stand out as the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers scrimmaged for nearly two hours yesterday.
Fuamata-Maafala, a fifth-round draft choice battling to be Bettis' backup with the Steelers, carried nearly every play during a 60-yard scoring drive that was quarterbacked by fellow rookie Pete Gonzalez of Pittsburgh.
Fuamata-Maafala, a former star at St. Louis School and the University of Utah, beat his chest and flung his fist after an 8-yard run that led to a 2-yard scoring run. Bettis -- nicknamed "The Bus" -- and Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart were among the first players off the bench to cheer on the rookie.
The Steelers won the scrimmage 14-12, scoring on the first two of their three possessions and missing a field goal on the third.
Approximately 12,000 spectators attended the scrimmage at a high school football stadium near the Steelers' practice site.
Fuamata-Maafala said he perhaps got too worked up because the crowd was so loud and he saw players like Bettis run onto the field to cheer him on.
"You get great blocking here and it really pumps you up," Fuamata-Maafala said. "I saw the veterans doing it (pounding their chests) and I stole it from them. They'll probably get me for it."
