1 of 5 | Linebacker T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to land in Kansas City, Mo., because of their plane’s engine issue after they played the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
The Pittsburgh Steelers made an unexpected stop in Kansas City, Mo., early Monday after their team plane was diverted because of an engine issue while traveling from Las Vegas to Pittsburgh, the team said.
“Our team charter plane was unexpectedly diverted to Kansas City early this morning on our way back to Pittsburgh following our game in Las Vegas,” Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten wrote on X. Advertisement
“Everyone on the plane is safe, and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.”
KDKA, which had a news crew onboard, reported that the flight took off late Sunday and landed at about 5 a.m. EDT Monday at Kansas City International Airport. The CBS affiliate said the emergency landing was made because of an oil pressure failure in one of the plane’s engines.
The Steelers (2-1) beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas. The loss dropped the Raiders to 1-2 this season.
Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward joked about the emergency landing Monday morning on X. Advertisement
“Dang, emergency landing in K.C.,” Heyward wrote on the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. “I think it’s due to Minkah Fitzpatrick’s ‘roughing the passer call.’ But seriously, landing in K.C.”
Heyward also referenced the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce dating rumors, making a joke about the pop star and Kansas City Chiefs tight end giving the Steelers a ride back to Pittsburgh.
A Kansas City International Airport spokesperson told KDKA that a replacement plane was expected to take the Steelers back to Pittsburgh. ESPN reported that the Steelers players were still on the original plane as of 10:47 a.m. EDT Monday. NFL Network reported that the team hoped to depart by 12:30 p.m.
The Steelers will face the Houston Texans on Sunday in Houston.
