Extreme adversity accelerates maturation of Steelers' Burns

— -- PITTSBURGH -- Artie Burns has found a football fan club in an unusual location: the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina.

Artie Burns Sr. has been telling fellow inmates about his son's football ascension, and he listened to the 2016 NFL draft on a prison-issued radio. A few days later, an 803 area code appeared on Burns' cell phone, a clear indication dad was approved for a call. Once he picked up, Burns heard all about the celebrations inside those walls when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Burns with the 25th overall pick.

Burns was an 11-year-old boy when he last saw his dad, who walked out of the living room in the fall of 2006 and said he'd "be right back." Between school and football, Burns hadn't found the right time to visit the prison. His father has 11 more years in prison for cocaine trafficking.

It made Burns become the man of the house at a young age, and that maturing process took another steep climb when his mother, Dana Smith, died of a heart attack this past October.

Yet Burns finds himself fueled by loss, almost emboldened by it. He covers wide receivers by day and two generations of family at night. He has taken younger brothers -- Thomas, now 16, and Jordan, 13 -- to track meets and football practices. He's scouting Pittsburgh-area schools for them. He's waiting to sign his rookie contract after which he plans to move girlfriend Ella, 1-year-old son A.J. and his brothers to Pennsylvania full-time.

All this must be carried out. Burns has made promises. Before his mother died, Burns said he would take care of everything, just as she had for so long.

"I'm the provider for my household," said Burns, a former Miami Hurricanes star who is now the Steelers' rookie cornerback.

Filling the gap

Artie Tyrone Burns Sr. and Dana Smith fell in love at Miami (Fla.) Northwestern High, got married and had three boys together. Every weekend in the fall, they would drive their oldest son to football games at the Southwest Boys and Girls Club. Burns played linebacker and running back for his dad, the head coach. Dana was the team mom. They'd stay at the field all afternoon, then cap off the day with a pizza trip.