After days of wondering if Steelers Special Teams Coach Danny Smith was alright after sustaining a huge hit on the sideline as time expired in Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers.

Smith was on the sideline when Pittsburgh’s Damontae Kazee intercepted Green Bay’s Jordan Love on the final play of the game.

Kazee took the ball and ran out to around the 30-yard line, already going out of bounds as Green Bay’s Zach Tom shoved Kazee, who ran into Smith as a result. Smith landed harshly on his shoulder, and was caught in the ensuing scrum between Steelers and Packers players.

Tight end and special teamer Rodney Williams pulled Smith out of the scrum as players continued to get involved, including Kazee, who went after Tom.

Steelers seal a victory over the Packers with a Damontae Kazee interception on the last play.

Then things get chaotic when Green Bay's Zach Tom shoves Kazee.

There's no GOOD time for a late hit. But on your opponent's bench on the final play of the game is a really bad time. pic.twitter.com/Av75dgZFHS

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 12, 2023

“He didn’t say much,” Williams said of Smith after the game. “He was just chewing his gum.”

A Pittsburgh native, Smith has been the Special Teams coach for the Steelers since 2013, and has been famous for the massive amount of gum he has been seen chewing on the sidelines for years.

In his postgame conference after the win, head coach Mike Tomlin oddly downplayed any concern regarding Smith’s health.

“You guy love to chase emergency vehicles,” he said in response to a question on the 70 year old Smith’s status.

Since then, we have not heard much of an update on Smith or his health, until his media availability today, in which he casually revealed he suffered a major injury from the hit.

Smith revealed he tore three of the four tendons in his rotator cuff as a result of the collision.

“This one hurt,” he said. “I got a torn rotator cuff [in] three spots, but I’m good.”

Danny Smith said he tore three of the four tendons in his rotator cuff from the sideline hit at the end of the Packers game. He said he’ll need surgery to repair it.

When he landed on his shoulder, it went numb, he was extra grateful to Rodney Williams for pulling him up. pic.twitter.com/Pn76C0C3hJ

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 16, 2023

Smith made it clear he was very grateful to Rodney Williams for pulling him up and out of the pile, and added that he may never be able to sit Williams again after what he did.

Williams has been notable on several plays this season, including being mere inches away from recovering a blocked punt that would have been a touchdown for the Steelers. He has done an excellent job at keeping a roster spot and a job with the Steelers, and that security has never been stronger than it is now.

Smith added in his availability that he may never be able to sit Williams again after pulling him out of the scrum.

Smith stated that he will need surgery to repair his injury, which he will undergo in the offseason.

In the meantime, he won’t miss any time on the sidelines for the Steelers, and he certainly won’t be chewing any less gum.

The man is a legend.

(Featured photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)