Tyler Boyd said he just didn’t have the words to describe how he felt at Thursday’s official ribbon cutting at the newly renovated Clairton football stadium renamed for him.
“My whole career I never would have thought I would have a stadium named after me,” he told the crowd seated on the new NFL-quality turf field and bleachers. “It’s an incredible feeling … I’ll always give back.”
Phase one renovations, funded by a $4.6 million taxpayer bond issue, have been completed. In addition to the field, the work included a new 1,200-seat grandstand, scoreboard, state-of-the-art LED lighting, flagpole, walking track and modern press box. It’s all been done in time for Friday’s game against Imani Christian Academy in week zero of high school football.
Phase two improvements will involve demolition of the concrete grandstand, construction of a new field house with locker rooms, training and weight rooms, an officials room, and a large group instruction room. A new stadium entrance will feature updated concession and restroom facilities. Two academic initiatives also will be part of it. Total cost of both phases is estimated at $9 million, and the fundraising campaign for the second portion is underway.
The NFL veteran, who played last year for the Tennessee Titans after eight seasons with the Cincinnatti following his stellar high school and Pitt football career, gave thanks to the people in the audience – his family, former CHS coach Tom Nola, his peers and friends among others – who helped him achieve success.
The short program included remarks from Clairton City School District superintendent Tamara Allen-Thomas, school board President Rikell Ford, and Jackie and Yolanda Wade representing current football coach Wayne Wade, who couldn’t attend.
Clairton athletic director Alexis Trubiani ran through highlights of his football career, noting his contributions to Clairton football’s legacy, before the ribbon cutting and Boyd taking his turn at the podium. During his four years at Clairton, the football team accumulated a 63-1 record, four WPIAL and four PIAA class A championships. Boyd scored a WPIAL record 117 touchdowns, ranked fifth in league history in rushing yards, and took home two BIG 33 Most Valuable Player game honors. He rushed for 2,584 yards and 51 touchdowns as a senior, she said.
And he also lettered on the CHS basketball and baseball teams, playing on a WPIAL championship basketball team as a senior, Trubiani said.
He was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame 2024 class for those feats.
During his three years at Pitt he made 254 catches and logged 3,361 rushing yards.
The Bengals selected him in the 2013 NFL draft’s second round. During his time there, she said the team won its first division title since 1988 and made its first Super Bowl appearance.
Jackie and Yolanda Wade presented Boyd with a football signed by the 2025 coaches and football team as a keepsake.
Allen-Thomas offered heartfelt gratitude to Boyd and his family during her remarks. She lauded him for what he is doing and what he has done in his career from youth leagues to college to the pros.
She reminded him that he “stands on the shoulders of those who came before you, and our students now stand on your shoulders.
“You have created a legacy. We want them to look at you as a role model, to be as good as you or better than you.”
Allen-Thomas addressed the students present – football team members, cheerleaders, band members and others – and asked them what the school motto is, and they answered “academics, attendance and attitude.”
With the first game less than 24 hours away, the superintendent said to them, “We’re ready for you to get on this field and do what you can do. May this be the best season ever.”
Boyd noted he worked hard at his studies, too, as he made his remarks.
He announced he has given a check to the district to help pay for the remainder of the improvements.
Helen is a copy editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but she's currently on strike. Contact her at hfallon@unionprogress.com.