As much as it might not seem that way on occasion in the way that they play, football players are nevertheless human. And pretty much all humans experience some discomfort when they’re uprooted. Helping somebody adjust to their new environment can help enable them to focus on the things in front of them that matter.
Case in point, still-new Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Malik Reed. He’s going to have to start the game today because of T.J. Watt’s injury. He’s only been here for a couple of weeks, but they’ve done a good job of making him feel at home and inviting him into their locker room—indeed, even into their houses, as Alex Highsmith did.