Q&A: Levi Wallace talks representing Tucson in the NFL, playing for Mike Tomlin, and Nick Saban's legacy

For the most part, NFL players during the starting lineup part of the Sunday Night Football on NBC broadcast say their name and what college they attended.

Then there are some who have comedic intros, such as offensive lineman Justin Pugh saying “straight off the couch,” or wide receiver Terrell Owens hailing “from another planet,” linebacker Terrell Suggs attending “Ball So Hard University,” and tight end Tony Gonzalez impersonating Ron Burgundy from the movie “Anchorman” and reading the teleprompter as a question.

Others, like Tucson native and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace, use their two-second platform on NBC to pay respect to schools they attended before college.

Wallace, who just finished his two-year contract with the Steelers and will enter free agency this offseason, could’ve mentioned Alabama. After all, the Crimson Tide gave Wallace an opportunity as a walk-on, before moving him to a scholarship player. Wallace helped Alabama win two national championships in 2015 and ’17. Instead, his Sunday Night Football introduction this season was “Levi Wallace, Tucson High School.”

“People love it, especially in Tucson,” Wallace said. “Everyone knows I went to Alabama. That’s nothing new. There’s enough Alabama people in the league to rep the school anyways. My goal is to get Tucson athletes on the board.”

Wallace was one of four Tucsonans on active NFL rosters this season, along with Falcons star rookie running back Bijan Robinson, who is an Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist, Steelers linebacker Blake Martinez and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who will play in the NFC Championship on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Former Sabino tight end Matt Bushman is in his third season on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad; the Chiefs face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship on Sunday.

“I know Bijan had a great year this year and I know we have some other guys in the league as well. There’s so many athletes that came from Tucson, but never got the opportunity, especially Tucson High,” Wallace said. “The more I can shout it out there and put my city on the map, quote-unquote, I’ll always do it.”

Wallace finished his sixth season in the NFL with 38 tackles and two interceptions in 16 games. He has 306 tackles, 12 interceptions and 54 pass breakups over his career.

Now entering free agency, Wallace’s focus, besides returning to the Steelers or signing with another team, is hosting the third annual “Golf For Good” event at Raven Golf Club in Phoenix on March 2; all proceeds benefit the Levi Wallace Foundation.

Wallace recently joined “Spears and Ali” on ESPN Tucson to talk about playing for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Nick Saban’s legacy at Alabama.

What was it like playing for Tomlin?

A: “He’s a really good players’ coach. He doesn’t care about just football, he cares about the man. He’s easy to talk to. Some coaches, you could only talk about football, but he cares about you and he never changes. He’s always the same person, day in and day out. Players love him, and everyone wants to play for him.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

“It wasn’t until two years ago that I got the opportunity to come play for him and then I went, ‘OK, now I see why.’ He’s a super dope guy and so knowledgable about everything. He’s really cool, really inspirational. If he were to ever run for president, I’d try to vote for him and get on his campaign be a part of the office. He’s a super dope person to be around.”

What’s an exit interview like with Tomlin?

A: “It’s cool. We went into his office and just talked about the season, about life. He really cares. He asked how my mom was doing, plans during the offseason, he cares about you. My contract is over, so if I don’t sign back here, I appreciate the opportunity, playing here, under (Tomlin’s) leadership. I’ve grown as a man being under him. It’s dope to be a part of the tradition and the Steelers legacy, but a winning coach like Coach Tomlin.”

Speaking of winning coaches, your college coach, Nick Saban, retired after 17 seasons as Alabama’s head coach. What was your reaction and how do you reflect on your time playing for him at Alabama?

A: “It caught everyone off-guard. I was sitting in the lunch room with (former Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick) and it broke on ESPN. Everyone was texting us, and I couldn’t believe it. When you think of Alabama, you think of Nick Saban. ... If Nick Saban leaves, shut down the whole college campus. But I’m happy for him. One of the greatest coaches to ever coach the game of football at any level, with seven national championships. He’s unmatched.

“I appreciated my time at Alabama. I wouldn’t be in this position without him today. So my grades weren’t doing too well when I first got to college, with my dad passing away and I was super distracted and (Saban) called me into his office. He sat there and talked about his dad and how his dad passed at an early age and talked about how he was going to help me on track, because he thought I was really good to play at the university and the next level. I always appreciated that.

“He looked out for me. I always appreciated his leadership in regards to off-the-field stuff and what it looks like to be a man and move forward even though your father passed away at an early age.”

Saban also has a unique sense of humor, no?

A: “He’s hilarious. It’s hilarious because he thinks it’s hilarious, and he’ll give you this smirk and get you to laugh. Sometimes you’re laughing at him, sometimes you’re laughing with him. He knows the difference.

“He always thinks he’s the funniest person around. It was great. It felt like he was one of the (defensive backs) coaches honestly, because he was always in our room. We were always around him and he always had a bunch of jokes for us, little subtle jabs to get guys laughing and it was always good being around Coach Saban. It’ll be different when I go back to Tuscaloosa and hopefully I get a chance to see him.”

<&rule>