Growing up in Carrick, Warren Austin spent his childhood rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This summer, he’ll be a part of the team as the first local participant in the NFL’s Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative.

Austin, who is a third-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will stay at training camp with the Steelers while he does a one-month clinical rotation with their medical staff.

The NFL started the program last year, working with medical schools at four historically Black colleges and universities. This year, the league expanded the program to 19 medical schools, including Pitt.

“I was ecstatic,” said Austin. “I feel grateful and excited to be a part of the program.”

Austin was identified as a good candidate for the program by his mentor, MaCalus V. Hogan, David Silver professor and chair of orthopedic surgery at Pitt’s School of Medicine, who also serves as a foot and ankle consultant to the Steelers.

Participants last year were able to observe medical staff — including physicians, nutritionists, trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, psychologists — as they worked to keep their NFL players healthy and strong.

Read the full story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette here.