**
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –** Steelers receiver Juju Smith-Schuster is already a popular man in Pittsburgh, for a number of reasons.
Not only is the rookie off to a great start on the field, he also won the hearts of Steelers fans with the story about his beloved bicycle – it was stolen, and later found. When fans found out the bike was Smith-Schuster's means of transportation, he became a big hit. (He finally got a driver's license last week).
Well, let me tell you about Smith-Schuster's trip to Nashville during his predraft visit with the Titans.
Sounds like he also would've fit in pretty well in Tennessee.
Smith-Schuster, the NFL's youngest player at age 20, arrived in town in April.
"So I went to a barbeque spot," he said. "I went to Edley's. It was really good. Then I walked over to Nissan Stadium to see where the Titans play, that was cool. Then I started walking around downtown to check out the city and I heard there was as big game in town."
The big game: Predators vs. Blackhawks, in the NHL playoffs.
"I just took a risk and said, 'Why not?,''' said Smith-Schuster, who's from Long Beach, California. "So I bought a ticket for $150 off the street, and I went to the game. It started at 8:30, and didn't finish until 1 o'clock in the morning. It went to overtime. Man, it was fun. It was my first time to a hockey game, and the environment was awesome.
"I was cheering for the home team, the Predators. They had all of these LED lights, shirts for us. I bought a couple of hots dogs, peanuts, a drink. I was living the experience. The fan base was amazing.
"This city, man it's awesome. Besides it being hot and humid, the people are awesome and nice. This city is amazing."
Smith-Schuster made his comments during an interview with Titans Online on his predraft visit to Saint Thomas Sports Park. He ended up being drafted by the Steelers in the second round, after the Titans had selected Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick, and cornerback Adoree' Jackson, Smith-Schuster's teammate at USC, 18th overall.
Smith said his overnight visit to meet the Titans was a good one.
It turns out Smith-Schuster, who has 29 catches for 521 yards and five touchdowns on the season, is also a big fan of Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.
"I know he is Polynesian," Smith-Schuster said of Mariota. "I am half Samoan, so I know where he comes from and how he is. I think he is a great guy, and a great player.
"Everybody is a big Marcus fan, definitely on the Polynesian side. He represents very well, on and off the field."
The Titans will face Smith-Schuster and the Steelers on Thursday Night Football at Heinz Field.
Titans Online looks back at the all-time series between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Photos)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan, right, and outside linebacker Aaron Wallace, left, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Steelers won 40-17. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78), second from right, lines up against the Tennessee Titans with the rest of the line during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) plays against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
In this Nov. 16, 2017, photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. The one thing Mariota has shown in his young NFL career is the ability to bounce back from an interception or a bad game. The Titans' third-year quarterback is coming off the worst game yet with four interceptions and has more picks than touchdown passes this season, and now he gets to visit Indianapolis and one of the league’s worst pass defenses. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls out signals as center Maurkice Pouncey (53) gets ready to snap the football at the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 40-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser catches a pass during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 28, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Vince Williams (98) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) is hit by Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien, rear, and Jayon Brown (55) as he makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Steelers won 40-17. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, is greeted by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlinan NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 16-6. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Joe Haden (23) and linebacker Anthony Chickillo, left, pursue in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
File-This Aug. 25, 2018, file photo shows Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) getting a pass away as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) rushes him in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, in Pittsburgh. Mariota’s emergence as one of the NFL’s top young stars helped provide proof that a good quarterback can be found in the state of Hawaii. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Robert Spillane (42) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) as linebacker Daren Bates (53) and defensive back Kenneth Durden (38) defend in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
