JuJu Smith-Schuster throws game ball to parents in stands to celebrate dad’s birthday

JuJu Smith-Schuster showed his appreciation to his father on his birthday with a touchdown ball tossed into the stands.

How did you celebrate your last birthday? It probably wasn’t with a touchdown ball from your son, the professional football player.

Which is to say, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s dad is having one hell of a birthday.

Smith-Schuster caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter to put the Steelers up 19-7 over the Cincinnati Bengals.

You can thank Smith-Schuster’s dad for his memorable hyphenated name. The receiver legally changed his name from John “JuJu” Smith when he was at USC to honor the stepfather who raised him.

JuJu Smith-Schuster and the Steelers are rolling in 2020

With a 36-10 win over Cincinnati, Pittsburgh improved to 9-0 on the season and kept some cushion at the top of the AFC North division with Baltimore playing on Sunday Night Football.

That perfect record has come together in part because quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his receiving corps have found their groove.

The Steelers added Chase Claypool via the draft and his presence has helped free up Smith-Schuster, who struggled a bit during his third season when his production on the season dipped to 552 yards. Quarterback struggles with Roethlisberger out didn’t help on that front.

This year, Smith-Schuster has 439 yards and four touchdowns with the highest catch rate of his career while Claypool has 444 yards and five touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Roethlisberger is back and as good as ever. He’s already thrown for 18 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He has a QBR of 65.6.

Having dispatched the Bengals, the Steelers can look forward to traveling for a game against Jacksonville. Then they’ll have a critical outing at home against the Ravens. Since they bested them a few weeks ago, the opportunity to sweep the season series is on the horizon.