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JuJu Smith-Schuster named Steelers rookie of the year | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

JuJu Smith-Schuster named Steelers rookie of the year

Chris Adamski
Chris Adamski
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Shuster takes a selfie with fans after the Steelers beat the Texans 34-6 Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston Tx.
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Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster makes a first-down catch during the first quarter against the Patriots on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at Heinz Field.
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Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster makes a first-down catch during the first quarter against the Patriots on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at Heinz Field.

JuJu Smith-Schuster paused and gave genuine thought.

Then he gave an honest answer typical for anyone who recently turned 21.

What was the most challenging part about excelling on the field while being the NFL's youngest player this season?

"Honestly, I would say sleep," Smith-Schuster said after being given the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as the Steelers' 2017 rookie of the year. "With me being young, I like to just be up all night just having fun. (Finding ways to) sleep has been the most challenging for me just because I just like to be up playing video games, doing what young people do, social media — and then go to bed at like 2 a.m. So I'm still trying to find out how to balance that out."

Smith-Schuster figured it out well enough that — with one regular-season game to go and despite missing two games (one via injury and one by suspension) — he ranks fourth in Steelers history in rookie receiving yards (774) and is one of eight rookies in team history with at least six touchdown receptions.

A second-round pick, Smith-Schuster is second among rookie wide receivers in catches and yards only to the Rams' Cooper Kupp. He's first among rookie wide receivers in touchdowns.

Yet it hasn't been his play, so much as his youthfulness — manifested in touchdown celebrations and viral social media posts — that has made him a sensation in Pittsburgh.

"That kid's awesome," veteran guard David DeCastro said. "He's just fun to be around. I never thought I'd be like doing touchdown celebrations ... It's kind of a breath of fresh air when you get a guy like that coming in who's young, and you see has all this energy. He's just fearless kid that enjoys it. You just watch him play, and he loves it."

The rookie of the year award is given by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.