Nov. 1, 2006

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Tuesday evening that former Shippensburg football standout John Kuhn '04 has been signed to the active 53-man roster, replacing fifth-year running back Verron Haynes who was placed on the team's reserve/injured list and is out for the remainder of the 2006 season.

Through the Steelers' first seven games this season, Kuhn had been a member of the practice squad after appearing in all four preseason games and finishing second on the team in rushing. However, he was released on September 1 following the Steelers' 15-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers in their preseason finale.

Kuhn originally signed with the Steelers as a free agent on April 25, 2005 following the NFL Draft and appeared in all four of the team's preseason games before being released. He was later signed to the practice squad on Nov. 30, 2005 and was in Detroit, Michigan as the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL.

Kuhn was the second Shippensburg player to have been on a team in the Super Bowl, joining Rob Davis '92, currently a member of the Green Bay Packers, who played in Super Bowl XXXII on Jan. 25, 1998.

Last Wednesday, former Red Raider standout Ron Johnson '03 signed with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League (AFL) after playing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 and during training camp in 2004.

A Northeast Region finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy given to the top player in NCAA Division II as a senior, Kuhn was selected to play in the 2005 Whataburger Cactus Bowl on January 7 as a Division II all-star for the North team. He was named PSAC Western Division Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and was a three-time First Team All-PSAC Western Division selection.

Kuhn holds 27 school records and six PSAC records. He finished his career with 4,685 yards rushing, 910 carries, 53 touchdowns, 5,300 all-purpose yards and 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing, all school records. He graduated from Shippensburg in December 2004 with a degree in Chemistry and 3.293 grade point average.

With Kuhn's signing, he raises the number of former PSAC players currently on active rosters in the NFL to seven, joining Davis, DT/LS (Shippensburg - Green Bay); Jahri Evans, OG (Bloomsburg - New Orleans); Kris Griffin, LB (IUP - Kansas City); Leander Jordan, OT (IUP - San Diego); Chris Villarrial (IUP - Buffalo) and Reggie Wells (Clarion - Arizona).

Also, LeRon McCoy, formerly of IUP and currently with the Arizona Cardinals, is on the team's reserve/injured list.