At least the Steelers had a win in their pockets while they dealt with plane issues Monday morning.
The team’s charter plane had to be diverted to Kansas City for an emergency landing on its way back from Las Vegas, but no one was injured, per a team official.
“Our team charter plane was unexpectedly diverted to Kansas City early this morning on our way back to Pittsburgh following our game in Las Vegas,” Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten posted on X.
“Everyone on the plane is safe, and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.”
The Steelers’ team charter – an Airbus A330-900 – landed in Kansas City after 5 a.m. ET due to oil pressure failure in one of the engines, according to KDKA in Pittsburgh.
The plane took off around 11:30 p.m. PT and had been expected to land in Pittsburgh around 5:30 a.m. ET, per ESPN.
Fire trucks greeted them at the scene, per KDKA, and the plane included 182 individuals, according to KCTV in Kansas City.
A replacement plane was scheduled to pick up the Steelers around 10 a.m. ET, per KDKA, and the team was still inside the original plane as of Monday morning, per ESPN.
Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward had some fun with the situation while jumping into America’s most-discussed romance.
“Yo @taylorswift13 & @tkelce we might need a ride to Pittsburgh,” Heyward posted on X.
Heyward’s post referenced Taylor Swift’s highly publicized appearance to watch rumored beau Travis Kelce at the Chiefs’ 41-10 over the Bears in Kansas City on Sunday.
With Kelce and Swift seemingly unavailable to help, Heyward tried another celebrity Monday.
“Uncle @SnoopDogg can you come pick us up on the soul plane,” Hewyard posted in reference to the rapper’s role in the “Soul Plane” film.
Heyward also had a theory on why the Steelers’ plan had to be grounded.
“Dang emergency landing in KC.I think it’s due to @minkfitz_21 “roughing the passer call” but seriously landing KC……….,” Heyward posted.
That theory referenced the questionable roughing the passer call Sunday on Minkah Fitzpatrick, who already has drawn criticism for his season-ending hit on Browns star running back Nick Chubb.