But while it remains to be seen how much of an impact Thomas Burns will have in WPIAL football, he could have a gigantic impact in track next spring. Get the latest Artie Burns news, photos, rankings, lists and more on Bleacher Report This is a lot of mentoring for someone who would be entering his senior year of college in the fall. FAQ on NFL's most famous practice-squad player, Bucs' Antoine Winfield Jr. relies on Dad's FaceTime calls to help navigate NFL. Burns covered now-Oakland Raiders receiver Amari Cooper at Miami Northwestern practices. They also met with him at the NFL scouting combine. Burns' agent, Melvin Bratton, remembers Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin telling him, "If he's there [in the first round], he's my guy." Smith eventually got a job in the accounting department for a warehouse manufacturer, and Burns got life lessons from Cason on fishing trips. Burns' most unique challenge awaits him in Pittsburgh. "I'm the provider for my household," said Burns, a former Miami Hurricanes star who is now the Steelers' rookie cornerback. By the hospital bed, Burns told his mother that he, then a 20-year-old, would raise her sons. "Getting onto the field and around his teammates sure helped him," then-defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio said. He's waiting to sign his rookie contract after which he plans to move girlfriend Ella, 1-year-old son A.J. Burns has made promises. If the past six months are any indication, Burns should be just fine. "He's supporting me, and says all his friends are, too," Burns said. Artie Tyrone Burns Sr. and Dana Smith fell in love at Miami (Fla.) Northwestern High, got married and had three boys together. His father's absence forced Burns to accelerate his growth, which he soon discovered he didn't mind. Dad coached hard, reminding him to tackle like one of his favorites, Junior Seau. He has taken younger brothers -- Thomas, now 16, and Jordan, 13 -- to track meets and football practices. Miami coaches and players were amazed at Burns' resolve that week.

It helped Burns that Smith didn't hide her sons from their father, making sure all three boys took turns talking to him when he called. What dad will see is a scarred yet inspired 21-year-old who might as well be going on 50. Teaching Atlanta Falcons to finish, Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 8: Gio Bernard, Carlos Hyde among top pickups, Fantasy football intel for all 32 NFL teams ahead of Week 8.

On Oct. 24, 2006, Dana Smith called her parents around 9 p.m., hysterical.

Said his father, “It might be something that’s hard for him seeing me in prison like this. We use ads to fund this site and continue to bring you premium Steelers content. They never said a bad word about anybody.". She had learned Artie Sr. traveled to South Carolina, where he was arrested and, four months later, sentenced to 25 years for cocaine trafficking. Burns calls life a "tough journey," which gives him incentive to guide those around him. He decided to come here. I don’t think he’s ready yet. Something many fans might not know is that Burns has overcome a lot of obstacles to get where he is today. He was charged as having been in possession of over 100 grams. "If we ate, they ate," John Cason said. Mother's death, father's imprisonment motivates Steelers' Burns, Week 8 NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus players who need to step up, Cowboys trade DE Griffen to Lions for draft pick, Bryant, out 2 years, joins Ravens practice squad, Cowboys' Jones has terse exchange, apologizes, FA Eric Reid: Declined Washington practice squad, Fant on Broncos offense: 'Put up or shut up', Bears' Nagy sticking with playcalling, QB Foles, Panthers release oft-injured cornerback Apple, What's next for Dez? His father's projected release date is May 24, 2027. Artie Burns’ story was painted in pretty black and white terms when he was first drafted in 2016. Every NFL team's record against the spread and more, UNLV will be 1st to have fans at Raiders' stadium, NFL trade deadline tracker: Latest deals, rumors and everything we're hearing, Previously a college football reporter for CBSSports.com.