Wolf in Upper St. Clair Wayne Herrod
Yes, there is During the broadcasts, Craig adds insightful commentary a “wolf” in Upper and spices it up with his legendary sense of humor. For game St. Clair. But don’t calling, he developed his own language called “Wolfisms,” where be alarmed! This terms like “holding” become “habbeus grabbus” and a hard hit is wolf is the popu- “slobberknockers” or “deceleration trauma.” lar, talented, and “My goal is to take the listener where he can’t go, give the Craig Wolfley, during his broadcasting days humorous Craig Tomlin view from behind the facemask, and share the excitement Wolfley. “Wolf,” as of Steelers football with our great Steeler Nation fans,” said Craig. he is fondly known, decided many years ago to make USC his Craig’s broadcasting career eventually led him to another home despite growing up in Buffalo, New York. With his wife, career. Craig conducts motivational speaking engagements and Faith, Craig has lived in Upper St. Clair for 23 years. They have personal appearances, does T.V. and radio commercials, and six children and six grandchildren. performs martial arts and weight lifting demonstrations. He was “Faith has been great for me. She loved me when I was unlov- recently the keynote speaker at the NFL Hall of Fame Veterans able. I shudder to think what my life would be like without her,” Day event. There, Craig made clear his passion about the military. said Craig. “I’d always intended to move back to Buffalo when my “Just look at the sacrifice and dedication of the men and football career was over. But, I fell in love with Pittsburgh and met women of the armed forces. They are willing to separate themFaith, who’s from here. Suddenly, USC became home. It’s a nice selves from their families for long periods of time. We owe them community of folks,” he said. an incredible debt of gratitude. Craig was drafted in the fifth When I shake the hand of a man round by the Pittsburgh Steelers or woman who has served, I am in 1980 after he ended his colhumbled. And when I shake the lege football career at Syracuse hand of someone who served in University. He was selected to the combat, I feel diminished because All-Century Syracuse Football they have faced perils and served a team, along with Jim Brown, far greater cause than I ever will,” Ernie Davis, and Larry Csonka. said Craig. Craig played for the Steelers Craig has another passion that from 1980 to 1989. From 1981 is very important to him. With its to 1988, he started in 98 conmission to help the homeless and secutive games. Craig finished needy, Craig is deeply involved his football career playing for in the Light of Life Mission on the Minnesota Vikings in 1990 Pittsburgh’s Northside. Over the and 1991. years, Craig and Tunch have “My lifelong dream since I spent countless hours involved was seven was to play profeswith this organization. “Tunch sional football. Spending 12 years started helping out in the ’80s. He as a pro football player were the encouraged me to come down and Steelers’ #73, Craig Wolfley greatest years of my life. I almost get involved. At first I was reluchad a tug-of-war with the posttant, knowing that I was already master on the day I mailed in my retirement papers. I have so involved in various other charities and thinking it was “just one many memories of my career. One of the best (and earliest) is more.” Tunch told me to come to the organization’s site and go that I bloodied Chuck Knoll’s lip during a pass rush drill at a draft through a set of doors… and that it would change my worldview workout at Syracuse when he came to work me out.” Despite that forever. He was right. blip of an incident, Craig had a long and successful career with Pittsburgh. For his excellence, Craig was selected in 2000 by the fans to the Steelers’ All Century Team. “Being selected was obviously the first Y2K glitch of the new millennium,” he said jokingly. To this day, Craig remains a Steeler. He is a member of the Steelers broadcast team and also hosts a radio show on ESPN with his best friend and former linemate, Tunch Ilkin. “Tunch persuaded me to try my hand at broadcasting; he eventually won out,” said Craig. “I love the sidelines. I love the high voltage intensity and testosterone, and the blood, sweat, and tears that flow on the sidelines. Between my career and broadcasting, I’ve spent more than 30 years on or near the field. My current career keeps me close to a game I’ve loved all my life.” Steelers’ Craig Wolfley football card 20
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2019
