From our Mexico City bureau ...
Our man in Mexico City, Charly Blanco Gonzalez, Chairman of the Boix Noix Acereros Mexico Steelers fan club (who we met last year after the home game against the Ravens, when he called Pittsburgh "The Holy City) sent us pictures from the Steelers youth camp held this past weekend in Mexico City.
Charly reports that the day was "Perfect! The presence of Ziggy Hood, Mike Wallace, Daniel Sepulveda, Keenan Lewis and Omar Khan is great for my country! Thanks to the Rooneys for [their belief] in [the] Mexico Steelers Nation!"
The Steelers web site has this write up of the event; additionally, here is coverage of the event from Mexican daily El Universal (in Spanish), and in very roughly translated English (thanks to Google).
Charly and the Mexican Steelers Nation gear up for the day.
Sitting on stage, from left to right, Mike Wallace, Keenan Lewis, Daniel Sepulveda and Ziggy Hood.
The Steelers have long had a huge following in Mexico, and turnout for the event was estimated at about 500 kids who participated in the clinic, plus another 1,000 or so fans who came to watch.
Kids get ready to participate in the clinic.
Daniel Sepulveda and a bunch of kids. Cue "awwwwwww" sound from all the ladies who have a crush on the punter.
First Lady of Mexico Margarita Zavala -- a Steelers fan herself who met the Rooneys during the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh last year -- paid a visit to the camp and poses for pictures with Hood (in pancho), Wallace, Lewis and Sepulveda, as well as some Steelers' officials.
Mike Wallace tells the kids that sadly, you can't teach speed.
Ziggy puts the kids through the paces in a pass rush drill.
Charly and family with Steelers' executive and salary cap guru, Omar Khan (second from right).
Charly Blanco Gonzalez and Daniel Sepulveda.
Keenan Lewis, getting mobbed for autographs, something I'll bet has yet to happen in Pittsburgh. Maybe this will be his breakout season.
This Mexican gentleman, obviously a Steelers fan, was unavailable for comment.