Calvin Austin III Shares Touching Story of His Father Raising Three Kids Alone After Family Hardship
Pittsburgh, PA – September 25, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Calvin Austin III has revealed a deeply personal story about the struggles and sacrifices that shaped his path to the NFL.
Austin grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, in a household where hardship hit hard. His father, Calvin Austin II, shouldered the responsibility of raising three children on his own after a family setback left him without his wife by his side.
The wideout recalled that years later, when he had already made his mark as an NFL player, his mother returned. In a gesture of forgiveness, his father welcomed her back into the family so they could move forward together. For Austin, that moment represented not just healing, but the strength of the values he carries onto the field every Sunday.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Austin overcame early setbacks, including a foot injury that cost him his rookie season. By 2024, he emerged as one of the Steelers’ most explosive playmakers, combining blazing 4.32 speed with a knack for big plays both as a receiver and punt returner.
Through 37 career games, he has totaled 61 receptions for 854 yards and nine touchdowns, along with one rushing score. He has also delivered as a return man, producing 538 punt return yards and one memorable touchdown.
The 2025 season has already highlighted his growth. After Pittsburgh traded George Pickens to Dallas and signed DK Metcalf, Austin stepped firmly into the WR2 role. In the first three weeks, he recorded eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning 17-yard score against the Patriots.
For Steelers fans, Austin’s story adds another layer to his rise. His speed and playmaking light up the field, but it is his father’s sacrifice and forgiveness that fuel his resilience. Every catch, every return, is more than just football—it is a testament to the values he learned at home.
How to Watch Packers vs. Lions: 2025 Season Opener – Week 1
The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off with a classic NFC North rivalry as the Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions
How to Watch in the U.S.
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CBS: The game airs live across CBS affiliates—check your local channel (typically between 2–7 depending on the region).
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Paramount+: Offers live streaming of the game through CBS—access via app or website with your subscription.
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Streaming Bundle Options: Services that include CBS (e.g., Sling TV, YouTube TV) will likely stream the game—verify availability in your area.
Why It Matters
This opener revives one of the most historic and uninterrupted rivalries in NFL history—the Packers vs. Lions—dating back to 1933.Packers+1Wikipedia+1
Both teams are expected to contend strongly in the
So mark your calendars—this isn't just the season's first game. It's the first chapter of one of the NFL's deepest rivalries, setting the tone for what's to come.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:25 PM ET (3:25 PM CT)Manistee News Advocate+4Paramount+ Deutschland+4ESPN.com+4ESPN.com+7Wikipedia+7Midland Daily News+7
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📺 TV Channel: CBSESPN.com+15Wikipedia+15Paramount+ Deutschland+15
💻 Streaming: Paramount+ (via local CBS broadcast)Manistee News Advocate+3Paramount+ Deutschland
🎙️ Radio: Local affiliates (e.g., WRNW‑FM 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee) and national broadcasts like Westwood One
