STEELERS NAME KENNY PICKETT NEW STARTING QUARTERBACK

At halftime of the New York Jets game on Oct. 2, the Steelers were trailing the Jets, 10-6. Needing a spark, the Steelers benched quarterback Mitchell Tribusky and brought in first-round pick Kenny Pickett from the University of Pittsburgh. Despite energizing the offense by scoring two rushing touchdowns, Pickett threw three interceptions, and the Steelers fell, 24-20. However, the Steelers announced on Oct. 4 that they are officially sticking with Pickett as their starting quarterback for the rest of the season.

PENGUINS BEGIN SEASON

After going 3-3 in the preseason, the Penguins officially started their season with a home game against the Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 13. The Penguins won, 6-2, with six different Penguins scoring the goals for the home team. With their intact core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kristopher Letang, the Penguins hope to make the playoffs for the 17th straight season.

PIRATES FINISH LAST IN DIVISION

On Oct. 5, the Pirates faced the St. Louis Cardinals, playing the last game of their 162-game schedule. Ending their season on a happy note, the Pirates were victorious, winning 5-3. However, the Pirates still finished tied for last in their division with the Cincinnati Reds, composing a record of 62-100. With a young core for next season, the team hopes to finally make the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

MIAMI DOLPHINS GAIN BACKLASH OVER CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

The Miami Dolphins medical staff is facing backlash on how they handled their franchise quarterback’s head injury. In their 21-19 win against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa seemed to suffer a head injury and was wobbly after sustaining a hit. However, the medical staff ruled him fit to play the rest of the game. Then, in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals the following week on Sept. 29, Tagovailoa was carted off the field after sustaining another hit affecting his head. This incident is making the NFL look into its concussion protocols.

FREEDOM HONORS ATHLETES WITH SENIOR NIGHT

Every year, Freedom athletics hold senior nights for senior athletes in fall sports. This year, the boys and girls soccer senior night was held on Oct. 10 against Avonworth and South Side, the volleyball senior night was on Oct. 18 against Central Valley, and the football senior night was on Oct. 21 against Beaver Falls.