The Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry is one of the best in the NFL. These games feature a physical nature of play that comes from the tough mentality on both teams. The two teams have been very similar to each other in that they are known for running the ball and having smothering defenses. The Ravens and Steelers rivalry is a family affair for Bruce and Gino Gradkowski.
Bruce Gradkowski is a backup quarterback for the Steelers. His younger brother Gino is a backup center on the Ravens. Both of these young men are natives of Pittsburgh. They attended Seton-LaSalle Catholic High School in Pittsburgh.
Bruce was a sixth round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2006 NFL draft. He played for the University of Toledo. Bruce bounced around a few teams including stints with the St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals before ending up with his hometown Steelers. He got the opportunity to make a good number of starts and has settled into a role of being one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL. His blue collar mindset at quarterback is a perfect reflection of the Steelers and the city that they play for. Jon Gruden once referred to Bruce Gradkowski as the ultimate competitor.
Gino Gradkowski played college football for the University of Delaware. He began his college career playing for West Virginia University but transferred and started all fifteen games for Delaware during his junior year. Ironically, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco transferred to Delaware from the University of Pittsburgh prior to Gradkowski. Gino was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Ravens. He became the starting center after Matt Birk retired following the 2012 Super Bowl season. The Ravens acquired Jeremy Zuttah in a trade with the Buccaneers and he took over the starting center spot form Gradkowski.
The Ravens vs Steelers match up will be the first game played in week two of the 2014 NFL season. Rest assured, family pride will be at stake when the two teams meet on Thursday Night football in Baltimore. The Gradkowskis are both hard nosed, gritty football players. It’s not likely that they see any action on Thursday but nevertheless, either one of them will take pride in winning against their brother’s team.
