It might be time for a shave when your beard has a following. Welcome to the world of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel.
Keisel has shaved his beard for the third annual Shear Da Beard event to benefit cancer programs at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh at UPMC. A crowd that included coach Mike Tomlin and chairman Dan Rooney showed up at Jergel's Rhythm Grille to watch a man shave.
"This is what makes Pittsburgh special," Keisel told the team website. "They have grasped on to this idea and really made it what it is today. If the fans didn't respond to it the way they did, I wouldn't do it."
Special is one way to describe it. This was the third consecutive year Keisel has raised money by shaving off his trademark beard.
"I've got to admit it's pretty unique," Tomlin said. "After six years here I can't tell you that it surprises me.
"I like him with the beard. I think it's his natural state. I think this thing has taken off and given him the opportunity to do what he probably likes to do anyway, which is not shave. He is a larger than life character and I think the beard fits his personality."
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
