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Steelers WR dazzles on DWTS

It’s the 22nd season of Dancing with the Stars, and the popular ballroom dance reality show is giving Steeler fans a great reason to tune in on Monday nights, even if it’s not for football.

This season’s cast of competitors includes Steeler superstar Antonio Brown, trying to follow in the footsteps of another Pittsburgh receiver, Hines Ward, and bring the coveted Mirror Ball trophy back to the Steel City.

In his introductory episode, the starting wide receiver showed his professional dance partner, Sharna Burgess as well as America what the Steelers have known for quite a while, that where Antonio Brown is concerned, “business is boomin.'”

Fans know Brown as a fierce and fearless competitor and a colorful character who dazzles with his amazing plays, his incredible smile, and his apparent love of life. All of these make him a perfect fit for the ballroom, where he has been dazzling on the dance floor as well.

Through just a few short weeks, Brown has received some gentle criticism from the celebrity judges, who recognize his seemingly limitless charisma, talent and potential. But he has also enjoyed standing ovations from the ballroom crowd, which often includes some Steeler teammates.

Brown performed a memorable fox trot about family, featuring his oldest son Antonio Brown, Jr., before which he explained the importance of choosing the theme for the dance, and what it meant to share the experience with his son. He spoke of the importance he places in being a father, and his hope to provide a better life and role model to his children than he enjoyed growing up. It was a reminder of the long road that Brown has taken to reach the pinnacle of greatness in the NFL, even as he has made it seem so easy.

His best performance to date came during Disney Week, when he personified a modern-day Aladdin for a jazz performance to “Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me” which not only brought down the house, it impressed the judges who awarded him one of the highest scores of the night.

Business was boomin’!

But Brown isn’t the only NFL superstar, or athlete competing this season. Super Bowl MVP Von Miller is matching Brown step for step, creating a wonderful ballroom rivalry that could be reprised in the NFL playoffs.

Retired football star Doug Flutie is also part of the cast this year, but struggles to keep up with his younger counterparts; however, UFC figher Paige VanZant is amazing.

Steeler fans are accustomed to winning, so anything less than another Mirror Ball trophy may prove disappointing for black and gold faithful, who turned out in droves for the Hines Ward DTWS Victory Rally in 2011.

But whether he wins or not, it’s been great spending Monday nights with Antonio Brown.

Kellie Goodman Shaffer can be reached at kellie@bedfordcountychamber.org. Her column appears on Tuesdays.

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