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John Santa Profile
John Santa

@johnnysantaPUP

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1,200
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Pittsburgh Union Progress sports reporter, on strike from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Husband of an educator. Father of a Wild Thing.

Joined March 2023
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Taking a job at a struck paper is not OK. It’s not business as usual. People are putting their lives and careers on the line. It’s time to stop rewarding people who enrich themselves on the backs of others.
@JDSalant
Jonathan D. Salant
1 year
My next chapter: assistant managing editor, politics, for the @PittsburghPG , covering the federal government and politics as they affect swing-state PA while supervising DC coverage and remaining on the Standing Committee of Correspondents and @RegionalReports board.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Being on strike with @PGHGuild teaches you about people’s true colors. It is impossible for me to adequately express what the @BuffaloGuild means to me. As my family’s sponsor they have been sending money and support every 2 weeks. Their kindness is amazing. Thank you!
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
I’m proud to stand on the line with @sagaftra . The @PGHGuild has been out on strike for nearly 10 months. I’ll fight with anyone standing against a bad boss! One day longer one day stronger!
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John Santa
1 year
I sure hope this reporter is disclosing to his sources that he is scabbing at a struck paper. If not, this is highly unethical. I’d be interested to hear if @sagaftra and @WGAEast are OK with their members conducting interviews with a scab reporter.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
@jaxelburgh @PittsburghPG How exactly will you be remaining in solidarity? Will you be withholding your byline or meeting with Stan to discuss ways to end the strike? This just feels a lot like you spitting in the face of me and my family. Good luck in there.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
10 months
Final: Deer Lakes wins it’s first playoff game in school history, 48-18, over Southmoreland.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
It was jarring to be in the courtroom and see the scabs the company brought outright lie to a judge. This one feels very good.
@ZackTanner
𝚉𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚃𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚛 is on strike.
1 year
I’m literally losing track of how many court cases we’ve won in a row. It’s years worth. And yet the Blocks keep wasting money on this shit. I hope that the family members know why their dividend checks aren’t as massive as they could be.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
It wasn’t that @jaxelburgh had no other choice but to scab. Plenty of places are looking for workers. He chose to turn his back on the people who have truly had his back. This is a betrayal. No other way to describe it. I hope the city’s artistic community takes notice.
@cajunkw33n
fireworks abolitionist
1 year
Congrats on turning your back on everyone who worked to take care of you for six months. You can get a job literally anywhere else in the city of Pittsburgh. Shame on you.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
OLSH graduate Dante Spadafora dribbles out @WLU_Hoops 70-53 victory over top-seeded @IUP_MBB in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region final.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
I am incredibly proud to be one of the passionate journalists, who as our fearless leader @bobbatzjr put it, gets to take this PUP out for a walk when my byline appears. We will keep fighting and providing the kind of journalism our city deserves. Solidarity forever!
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
1 year
This morning PUP published its 1500th post -- appropriately, on workers sending solidarity from Seattle to Puerto Rico. That's a lot of journalism we could have done for our employer if we weren't on strike. It could end fast. If it doesn't, we have good stories for this weekend.
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John Santa
1 year
Solidarity!
@MeghanKDKA
MEGHAN SCHILLER
1 year
Only on @KDKA at 6 The union repping the PNC Park ushers tell me a strike is NOT off the table after several failed attempts to negotiate a contract. Why the ushers says they’re a vital part of the ballpark and “just want a fair contract”
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John Santa
11 months
The @BuffaloGuild has also been incredibly generous to me and my family, adopting us during the strike. I will never forget the amount of support they have shown to us. #Solidarity
@SandraTanBN
Sandra Tan
11 months
ONE YEAR. Any strike that lasts that long is a sign of a company that doesn't want peace. It just wants to break the union, no matter the price or who pays. The @BuffaloGuild continues to stand on the side of right. Our @mikemcandrew1 joined the @PGHGuild rally in solidarity.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Mt. Lebanon native Mia Bhuta scored her first career goal tonight for @StanfordWSoccer at Washington State.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
It’s a game day in Oakland. @TartanFB coach Ryan Larsen leads Carnegie Mellon onto the Gesling Stadium field for a @PAC_Athletics game against @SVC_Football . Check out @ThePUPNews for all of today’s district college football news.
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John Santa
1 year
Exactly right. Pittsburgh is a union town. We don’t cross picket lines.
@mryannagy
Mitchell Nagy 🇺🇸
1 year
DO NOT CROSS THE PICKET LINE!!!
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John Santa
1 year
It was a spirited run for @MtLebanonSports who started the season 0-8 and went on to win a WPIAL title and finish as runner-up in the PIAA tournament. Father Judge wins its first state title in school history, 4-1.
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John Santa
9 months
It’s almost time for @SRURockFB and @KUBearsFootball to square off in the @NCAADII Super Regional One final with a shot in the semifinals on the line. @ThePUPNews will have you covered all game long.
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John Santa
11 months
Mars quarterback Luke Goodworth becomes the Planets’ single season passing leader with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Maple. Mars now leads 14-0 with 1:15 remaining in the first half.
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John Santa
1 year
There was no quit in the @steeltoespr7s who erased a 19-point deficit in the first half of the @prsevens Eastern Conference finals championship game to knock off the Southern Headliners 21-19. The Steeltoes advance to the Premier Rugby Sevens championship Aug. 6.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
11 months
It’s nearly time for the @PGHGuild rally to commemorate the one-year anniversary of our strike. Before the rally, I had to stop in the @ThePUPNews Doghouse to rattle off a few interviews for a story. Thank you to everyone on strike. It has been an honor to stand with you.
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John Santa
1 year
Proud to be on strike with @BREAL412 , @SteveRotstein and @Emily_M215 . They turned in absolutely amazing coverage in Hershey and did it with their integrity intact. They’re the best in the biz … Support @ThePUPNews today!
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John Santa
10 months
This @Pitt_WSOC team is loaded with former @wpial7 talent, including @sarahschupansky , @landy_mertz and @elliecoffield1 . They’ll be playing No. 1 Florida State in the @ACCWSoccer semifinals Thursday night at 8.
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
10 months
Our versatile @johnnysantaPUP takes a look @Pitt_WSOC , whose Sarah Schupansky tells him, "We’re competing against the best teams in the country. Now we’re beating the best teams in the country."
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John Santa
1 year
Westinghouse looked pretty glum after its defense set up camp in Clairton’s backfield all night. The Bulldogs aren’t satisfied with convincing regular season wins. They want statewide supremacy and appear poised to be a contender to achieve it.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Montour quarterback Jake Wolfe gives the Spartans their first lead of the game with a 6-yard touchdown run. Montour now leads 42-35 with 1:17 remaining.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Brian Stacy finds the end zone to put @TartanFB up 7-0. The Tartans make the most of a muffed punt by @SVC_Football .
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John Santa
1 year
It was also a big night for Montour coach Lou Cerro, who picked up his 200th career victory.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
The best in the business. @ThePUPNews sports has got it going on today!
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
1 year
Sunday sports SPLASH: Our amazing team (led by @BREAL412 and @SteveRotstein , with visuals by @Emily_M215 , @alexandrawimley and @JenKundrach ) presents its picks for the best of the high school basketball season:
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John Santa
1 year
Final: Westinghouse tops Clairton, 28-0.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Nobody is doing it better than @BREAL412 and @SteveRotstein
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
1 year
Without further ado, our sports team, lead by @BREAL412 and @SteveRotstein , presents the first 2023 PUP softball and baseball awards -- including for "Best Storyline," "Best Sisters" and "Best Video Interview":
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
@erinaybear @AshzAshz2344 @jaxelburgh @PittsburghPG I’m very sorry for your troubles. If you think Josh was the only person on strike dealing with family issues and mental health concerns you are sorely mistaken. Your husband made a choice and showed his true colors. You both have to live with that choice.
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John Santa
1 year
It’s hard to imagine a better a team for covering this story. So proud of the @ThePUPNews once again.
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
1 year
Our @angolds and the @PittJewishChron 's @DaveRullo share a byline on a story about the two publications collaborating to cover the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial:
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John Santa
1 year
How can you not be in awe of @ThePUPNews interns? They are excellent reporters. That they have displayed such courage to stand on strike with us is astounding. I’ll never forget that. The PG scabs could stand to learn from them this summer.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Pittsburgh is a union town.
@PGHGuild
Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh 🗞
1 year
Solidarity to the 100~ folks who came to John Block's house today, took home 300 yard signs, ate & drank with us, & donated $212 to our solidarity fund ✊ If you missed out, go to to get your own yard sign(s). We will win. @Teamsters & @CWADistrict213
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John Santa
11 months
Two of the nation’s top @NCAADII football teams are just about to square off at Mihalik-Thomson Stadium in Slippery Rock. @SRURockFB is hosting @IUPfootball . Check in with @ThePUPNews for all your local college football news.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
The @wpial7 is well represented on this list: Trueman is an @natigerbaseball guy, while Heilman is from @FASD_Athletics and Whalen is from @Baseball_Norwin . Even @Maz1Nine is from @BaldwinBSBL .
@PSACsports
PSAC Sports
1 year
BASEBALL: Your 2023 #PSACBASE major award winners for the West Division! Athlete: Luke Trueman - @Rock_Athletics Pitcher: Jarrett Heilman - @HurstAthletics Freshman: Jack Whalen - @GriffinsSports Coach: Marc Marizzaldi - @GriffinsSports #PSACProud 🔗
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
This is exactly why we stand together. Solidarity!
@ZackTanner
𝚉𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚃𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚛 is on strike.
1 year
I recommend that every worker spends their May Day having more fun than sitting in a conference room being lied to by @PittsburghPG attorneys and management. “You’re all just having too much fun on your picket lines,” we were told.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
So proud to be a part of this publication. Please check us out if you haven’t already.
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
1 year
Instead of just doom scrolling tonight, check out our home page at . We've got several new stories there, some 900 other stories, great photographs and illustrations, and you can help the strikers who make it by sharing and subscribing.
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John Santa
1 year
I guess @AndySheehankdka missed this contingent of local workers on strike in his lazy story on the 5 o’clock @KDKA newscast. Excellent reporting. I wonder why that is he skipped the @PGHGuild strikers …
@newsguild
NewsGuild-CWA
1 year
“Get up! Get down! Pittsburgh is a union town!” @PGHGuild @CWAUnion @Teamsters
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John Santa
1 year
One of the top @NCAADII players in the country has committed to a new school after leading @WLU_Hoops to the second national title game in school history this season.
@BryceButler_5
Bryce Butler
1 year
🖤🤍
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John Santa
1 year
I can’t wait to be in my seats for the opener. It’s my favorite day of the year. When @PittsburghPG and it’s scab reporters try and act like it’s business as usual today, please remember that for us on strike it’s not.
@PGHGuild
Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh 🗞
1 year
Our striking union sister, Kitsy Higgins, wrote this heartfelt letter about why she's struck for 6 months, why we're determined to win, and need your support today. Give it a read, then ask yourself, Can you donate to our fight?
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John Santa
9 months
Anyone familiar with local hoops knows how great of a scorer @Markus_Frank13 was in helping lead @QVBasketball to a @wpial7 title. Now he’s looking to score some more at @ShipURaiders . He’s already off to a great start as a redshirt freshman.
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
9 months
Our favorite sports stories aren't just about the sports. Like this one by our @johnnysantaPUP , which touches on best friendship. "We still talk a lot. I get to hear what his experience is like. He hears what my experience is like."
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John Santa
10 months
It’s about time for kickoff at Arthur J Rooney Field, as @DuqFB looks to clinch an outright @NECFootball title and an automatic NCAA FCS playoff bid with a win over Stonehill. Check in with @ThePUPNews for all your district college football news today.
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John Santa
1 year
@AFLCIO @sagaftra @WGAEast @WGAWest Don’t forget the @PGHGuild strike. We have been on strike for more than 10 months.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Aliquippa takes the field for the first time at the new Heinz Field.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
11 months
This will forever be his name for me.
@angolds
Andrew Goldstein is on strike
11 months
His full name is Goldy The NewsHound.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Final: The @TartanFB defense has yet to allow a point this season as Carnegie Mellon improved to 2-0 with a 38-0 victory over @SVC_Football .
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
10 months
It’s nearly time to kick off for the @wpial7 playoff game between @DeerLakesAth and @SHSFootball4U . Check in with @ThePUPNews for all tonight’s action.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Solidarity! I hope it was worth it, @jaxelburgh . In case you’re wondering, the word is going to be spread about what you’re doing while so many of us are standing together to fight bad bosses.
@WGAWest
Writers Guild of America West
1 year
The Board of Directors of the @WGAwest and the Council of the @WGAeast , acting upon the authority granted to them by their memberships, have voted unanimously to call a strike, effective 12:01 AM, Tuesday, May 2.
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John Santa
11 months
After 1: Pine-Richland has run 14 plays over two drive on offense and Ethan Pillar has carried the ball 13 times. The Rams lead 7-0 with the ball on the Woody High 3 to start the second quarter.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Football is back on the Bluff. @DuqFB and @EdinboroFB are set to kick off in under 15 minutes. Check in with @ThePUPNews for all of the region’s small college football news today.
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John Santa
1 year
Our Hershey crew is better than yours. @ThePUPNews killing it.
@SteveRotstein
Steve Rotstein
1 year
If you think Brad and I were putting in work this week, you should have seen Emily. Check out her gallery of awesome photos from all seven games involving WPIAL teams over the last three days:
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John Santa
1 year
The @steelers Alex Highsmith is now hanging with the Westinghouse cheerleaders.
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
9 months
A member of the Greater Pittsburgh Football Officials Association and the College Officiating Consortium, expect to see @JenBerkePhoto on a @bigten and @NFL field before too long.
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
9 months
Today's top story is a @johnnysantaPUP feature on a North Hills mother of two who will officiate at the @IDPotatoBowl between @USUFootball and @GeorgiaStateFB Saturday. She says, “If [you're] passionate about something, just go do it. Follow your dreams."
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John Santa
10 months
This is 100% fact. No other sports department can boast the quality of work @Emily_M215 , @alexandrawimley and @MattFreedPhoto put out. Truly the best in the business.
@SteveRotstein
Steve Rotstein
10 months
On this Thanksgiving Eve, I’m thankful for our @ThePUPNews photographers who continue to stand tall on strike while providing the best photos in the area to complement our high school football coverage. We’re nothing without you @Emily_M215 @alexandrawimley @MattFreedPhoto 🙌👏🫶
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John Santa
11 months
One of the @wpial7 ’s top running backs @EthanPillar is running behind five seniors Iinemen, led by @BadgerFootball recruit @RyanCory15 . That’s a dangerous combination for @PR_RamsFootball .
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
11 months
Our @johnnysantaPUP was at the Wolvarena for @PR_RamsFootball shutout of @WoodlandHillsHS :
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John Santa
1 year
Anyone involved with this should be deeply ashamed. Wow.
@NatJDuleb
Natalie is on strike with PGH NewsGuild
1 year
This is the quality of “journalism” the PG is producing. The headline is deeply misleading and not what this “article” is about at all: it’s fear-mongering, blatant right-wing, anti-labor propaganda. This scab should be ashamed and so should anyone who had anything to do with it.
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John Santa
10 months
Just like that Avonworth breaks the game open on runs of 42 and 40 yards by Andrew Kuban before Brandon Vitai-Biagiarelli gets the Antelopes on the scoreboard with a 3-yard touchdown run with 10:06 left in the second quarter.
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John Santa
9 months
Final: Belle Vernon wins 42-16 and advances to the PIAA Class 3A championship game for the second straight year and second time in school history.
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John Santa
1 year
@PaulZeise Interesting take from someone who is scabbing at their own company. Why don’t you come out on strike and help bargain your own contract?
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
Can’t wait to check this out. @BREAL412 and @SteveRotstein have been supplying the best @wpial7 coverage out there. No question. Check ‘em out in @ThePUPNews
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
1 year
And sports editor Rick Davis is just throwing this out there:
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@johnnysantaPUP
John Santa
1 year
@AshzAshz2344 @erinaybear @jaxelburgh @PittsburghPG Again, I’m sorry for what you’re going through. It can’t be easy. I’m not seeing a real connection between scabbing and showing up for you. He could’ve showed up for you at plenty of businesses and publications. We all know the man you married. I hope you find peace with that.
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John Santa
11 months
It’s impossible to say it any better.
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John Santa
1 year
@JMackeyPG @PiratesSign Succeeded some? Didn’t the union help her get hired full time? This is a tired narrative. I practically begged you and Abby to strike and have a seat at the table. Find some other excuse to justify your inexcusable behavior. You aren’t gallant. You’re a scab.
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John Santa
11 months
Next up for @EHeidenreich44 , @AlexTecza2 and @ConnorMcMahon94 is a big conference showdown for @NavyFB against @USFFootball .
@ThePUPNews
Pittsburgh Union Progress 📰
11 months
Pregame your weekend football with our @johnnysantaPUP 's piece on @NavyFB 's "The Yinzers" -- "all of us Pittsburgh guys,” says @BigMacsFootball alum Connor McMahon. “We like to think we’re the tougher guys. We play blue-collar football in the @wpial7 ."
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