In the NFL, specialists are rarely expected to put their bodies on the line like linebackers or gunners. Yet, Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz proved his relentless grit by playing through a brutal broken sternum, offering fans a firsthand look at the physical realities of special teams play.
Reflecting on the grueling aftermath on teammate Cameon Heyward’s podcast, “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” Kuntz admitted the severe chest injury was far from a mild bump, leaving lingering physical pressure long after the season concluded.
"Like, it still feels like pressure in my chest. I mean it's healed obviously, but it's still like I still feel it. It sucked," Kuntz confessed when asked about playing through the pain.
While most
fans assumed long snappers lead a low-contact existence, Kuntz’s injury occurred during a full-extension punt coverage tackle. Dissecting the mechanics of the collision, which occurred during the 2025 preseason, Kuntz recalled the moment his chest took the full force of the impact.
Kuntz said he saw the punt go out and the opposing player attempt to split the middle of the field. He joked that he flew in for a huge tackle and broke his sternum, but then had to confess it wasn’t really that dramatic.
"The guy kind of juked, and I hit his foot like kind of like a p***y a little bit and then I fell on the ground, but I was fully extended, and the reason I fell and my chest compressed and broke my s**t so I really didn't, it wasn't a great tackle," Kuntz explained.
Despite the excruciating nature of a chest fracture, Kuntz pushed through the discomfort to ensure Pittsburgh’s special teams unit didn't miss a beat. His willingness to sacrifice his body illustrates the understated toughness hidden within the specialist room; a grit that Heyward and kicker Chris Boswell deeply respect as the Steelers forge ahead into another intense campaign.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers Christian Kuntz reveals he played through broken sternum
