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David DeCastro
David DeCastro
David DeCastro
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David William DeCastro (born January 11, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a guard for nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, and he was considered one of the best guard prospects available.[1] He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection with the Steelers.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

DeCastro was born in Kirkland, Washington.[2] Of South African descent,[3] DeCastro grew up in Bellevue and attended Bellevue High School, where he was teammates with Stephen Schilling.[4][5] He grew up a Seattle Seahawks fan, idolizing Steve Hutchinson.[6]

Also a standout athlete, DeCastro competed for the school's track and field team as a shot putter. He got a top-throw of 17.93 meters at the 2008 Washington 3A-4A State T&F Championship, winning the event.[7] He also competed in the discus (top-throw of 37.24 meters).[8]

Considered a three-star prospect by Rivals.com he was listed as the No. 11 center in the class of 2008.[9] He chose Stanford over offers from Washington, Washington State, and Oregon State.

College career

[edit]

DeCastro attended Stanford University in Stanford, California, where he was a member of the Stanford Cardinal football team from 2008 to 2011. He did not play in any games as a freshman in 2008. As a redshirt freshman in 2009 he started all 13 games at right guard. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection and a first-team freshman All-American by College Football News.[10] As a sophomore in 2010, he started all 13 games and was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection.[11] Following his junior season in 2011, he was again a first-team Pac-12 selection, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American. Under head coach David Shaw, the Cardinal finished 11–2 in DeCastro's final season. Afterward, he decided to forgo his final season of college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft.

Professional career

[edit]

Pre-draft

[edit]

In October 2011, Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline ranked him as the No. 17 prospect on his mid-season draft board.[12] As the season progressed, he solidified his status as a first-round draft pick.[13][14][15] He attended the NFL Combine and was said to have "excellent movement skills" and was able to complete all the drills and positional workouts. Although he participated Stanford's pro day, he decided to only do positional drills, as he was satisfied with his combine numbers.[16] He was ranked the best offensive guard by Mike Mayock and NFLDraftScout.com.[17][18]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+7⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		 316 lb
(143 kg)		 32+3⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		 10 in
(0.25 m)		 5.43 s 1.84 s 3.09 s 4.56 s 7.30 s 29+1⁄2 in
(0.75 m)		 8 ft 2 in
(2.49 m)		 34 reps
All values from NFL Combine[19]

2012

[edit]

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected DeCastro in the first round (24th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. He was the first offensive guard taken in the first round by the Steelers since Kendall Simmons in 2002 and was one of four Stanford players taken in the first two rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.[20]

On June 23, 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed DeCastro to a four-year, $7.81 million rookie contract that also includes $6.35 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.12 million.[21]

He entered training camp competing for a starting guard position with veterans Willie Colon, Ramon Foster, and Trai Essex.[22]

In the Pittsburgh Steelers' third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, DeCastro suffered an injury and was forced to leave the game. After DeCastro was carted off the field, Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin stated that the injury was a "potentially severe" right knee injury. The injury occurred when he was engaged with Bills' defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and had his teammate, offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, accidentally fell on his right leg.[23] It was discovered that he had suffered a torn collateral lateral ligament and a dislocated kneecap.[24] On November 26, DeCastro was returned to the active roster, while Gilbert was placed on injured reserve.[25] On December 9, 2012, he made his professional regular-season debut in a 24–34 loss at the San Diego Chargers. The next week, he earned his first career start during a Week 15 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished his rookie year starting the last three games of the 2012 NFL season.

2013

[edit]

With the departure of Willie Colon and Trai Essex, DeCastro entered the season as the Pittsburgh Steelers' de facto starter at right guard. He earned the start for the Steelers' season-opening 16–9 loss to the Tennessee Titans. During the tenth play of the game, DeCastro accidentally whiffed during a cut block and fell down onto the back of Maurkice Pouncey's right knee. Pouncey tore his ACL and was placed on injured-reserve for the remainder of the season.[24] He was replaced by Guy Whimper during the Steelers' Week 9 matchup with the New England Patriots after suffering an ankle injury.[26] He finished the season starting 15 games and was ranked the fifth best right guard by Pro Football Focus, as the Steelers finished 8–8 for the second year in a row.

2014

[edit]

DeCastro returned in 2014 to complete his first full season after starting all 16 games of the regular season as the Pittsburgh Steelers finished 11–5. On January 3, 2014, he played in his first career postseason game as the Steelers lost in the AFC Wildcard to the Baltimore Ravens.[27]

2015

[edit]

On April 9, 2015, the Pittsburgh Steelers exercised the fifth-year option on DeCastro's rookie contract, paying him a salary of $8.07 million for 2016. He also received a $3.20 million signing bonus for 2016.[21]

In his fourth season with the Steelers in 2015, DeCastro started in all 16 regular-season games and was elected to his first Pro Bowl.[28][29] Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 83.4 and ranked him the 15th-best offensive guard in 2015.[30] He was ranked the ninth best offensive guard by Sports Illustrated after he surrendered only 1.5 sacks in 590 pass blocking attempts and was flagged for three penalties (all false starts) all season.[31]

2016

[edit]

On September 8, 2016, the Steelers signed DeCastro to an additional five-year, $50 million extension. The contract includes a signing bonus of $16 million. Together, both extensions bring his present contract to a six-year, $58.07 million deal including a total signing bonus of $16.00 million and signs him throughout 2021.[21][32]

He started all 16 regular season games and brought his consecutive games played streak to 56 in-a-row. The Pittsburgh Steelers finished first in the AFC North after achieving an 11–5 record in 2016.[33] They went on to defeat the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wildcard, the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional, and lost the AFC Championship to the New England Patriots. The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line was ranked the third best by Pro Football Focus, with DeCastro being ranked as the Steelers' top run blocker. He was named to his second-straight Pro Bowl for the 2016 season.[34] He was also ranked 97th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[35]

2017

[edit]

On December 19, 2017, DeCastro was named to his third-straight Pro Bowl along with fellow Steeler offensive linemen Alejandro Villanueva and Maurkice Pouncey.[36] He was ranked 44th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[37] DeCastro started and played in the first 15 games of the season and skipped week 17's game against the Cleveland Browns because the Steelers' had clinched a playoff berth.[38]

2018

[edit]

In week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, DeCastro fractured his right hand and was forced to miss the next two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was able to play again in week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens.[39]

DeCastro started and played in 14 games during the regular season.[40] On December 18, 2018, DeCastro was selected to play in his fourth straight Pro Bowl.[41] He received an overall grade of 71.7 from Pro Football Focus in 2018, which ranked as the 11th highest grade among all qualifying offensive guards.[42]

2019

[edit]
David DeCastro in a game against the Cleveland Browns

In week 11 against the Cleveland Browns, Browns' defensive end Myles Garrett hit Steelers' quarterback Mason Rudolph on the head with Rudolph's helmet. Afterwards, DeCastro grabbed Garrett, pushed him onto the ground, and laid on top of him to prevent an even larger fight from escalating. After the game, Garrett himself praised DeCastro for his actions. The next day, it was announced that DeCastro would not be suspended for his actions in the brawl.[43]

DeCastro started and played in all 16 games during the regular season.[44] On December 17, 2019, DeCastro was selected to play in his fifth straight Pro Bowl.[45]

DeCastro was released by the Steelers on June 24, 2021.[46]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

David DeCastro

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
David DeCastro is a former offensive guard who played his entire nine-year NFL career with the from 2012 to 2020. Born on January 11, 1990, in , to South African parents, DeCastro starred at , where he earned All-American honors as a junior and started 39 games over three seasons. Selected by the Steelers in the first round (24th overall) of the , DeCastro quickly became a cornerstone of the offensive line, appearing in 125 games and starting 124 of them during his tenure. He earned six selections (2015–2020) and was named a First-Team two times (2015, 2017) along with one Second-Team honor (2016), establishing himself as one of the league's premier interior linemen. DeCastro's career was cut short by persistent ankle injuries, leading to surgery in 2021 following his release from the Steelers that June; he has not played since and is considered retired. In 2025, DeCastro was among 128 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026, recognizing his impact on the game.

Early life

Family and upbringing

David DeCastro was born on January 11, 1990, in . Of descent, DeCastro was raised in , where he spent much of his childhood. His parents, Jennifer and Colin DeCastro, met in , where his father played rugby at the ; they immigrated to the prior to DeCastro's birth. The family briefly returned to when he was 18 months old before settling back in the Bellevue area. Growing up in the , DeCastro developed an early passion for as a devoted fan, particularly idolizing longtime Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson.

High school career

David DeCastro attended Bellevue High School in , where he participated in both football and . As an offensive lineman for the Wolverines, DeCastro was a standout player in the wing-T offense, earning unanimous All-State honors as a senior and helping lead the team to a Class 3A state championship in 2007 during his junior year. He also received Super Prep All-American recognition and was named KingCo 3A Conference Lineman of the Year, contributing to an offense that averaged over 300 rushing yards per game and advancing to the Class 3A semifinals in his senior season. Nationally, he was ranked among the top five centers by recruiting services. In track and field, DeCastro specialized in throwing events, winning the Washington State 3A shot put championship in 2008 with a throw of 58 feet 9.75 inches (17.93 meters). He also won the KingCo 3A shot put championship, with his district performance of 58 feet 4 inches marking a state-best mark that season. DeCastro's versatility in football and track drew early interest from college recruiters, leading to his commitment to .

College career

2008–2009 seasons

DeCastro enrolled at in 2008. As a redshirt freshman in 2008, DeCastro did not appear in any games, preserving his eligibility while adjusting to the college level under head coach . In 2009, DeCastro transitioned to the starting right guard position, anchoring the offensive line for all 13 games as Stanford achieved an 8-5 record, including a notable upset victory over No. 11 USC. His contributions were pivotal to the Cardinal's improved rushing attack, which averaged 218.2 yards per game; DeCastro recorded 79 knockdown blocks and allowed just one sack in 874 snaps, earning praise for his run-blocking prowess and technique. For his performance, DeCastro received honorable mention honors on the All-Pac-10 team, recognizing his emergence as a key interior lineman.

2010–2011 seasons

In the 2010 season, DeCastro, as a , started all 13 games at right guard for Stanford, earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors for his performance in anchoring the offensive line. Building on his 13 starts from the previous year, DeCastro continued his reliability in 2011 as a junior, starting all 13 games and contributing to Stanford's 11–2 record under head coach David Shaw. His dominant play that season led to unanimous All-American recognition, highlighting his exceptional blocking technique and impact on the team's offensive success. Over his three-year college career at Stanford, DeCastro amassed 39 starts at right guard, recording 316 knockdowns and 68 touchdown-resulting blocks that underscored his prowess in run blocking and pass protection. Following the 2011 season, he decided to forgo his senior year of eligibility and declared for the .

Professional career

Pre-draft

Following his unanimous All-American honors as a junior in 2011, DeCastro emerged as a top offensive guard prospect for the , widely projected as the premier player at his position and ranked among the top 10 overall prospects by outlets like . Scouting reports highlighted his exceptional pass-blocking ability, quick feet, and powerful hand usage, positioning him as a potential immediate starter with elite technique. DeCastro showcased his athleticism during pre-draft workouts, participating in the 2012 where he measured 6 feet 5 inches tall and 316 pounds. There, he completed 34 repetitions on the 225-pound , ran a 5.43-second , and impressed with his agility in shuttle and three-cone drills, reinforcing his reputation for fluid movement despite his size. He further demonstrated his skills at Stanford's pro day, drawing attention from coaches and scouts through position-specific drills that emphasized his balance and blocking leverage. The selected DeCastro 24th overall in the first round of the , valuing his college pedigree and physical tools as a foundational piece for their offensive line. He signed a four-year contract worth $7,813,898, fully guaranteed at signing for $6,358,356 and including a .

2012 season

DeCastro entered the as the ' first-round draft pick (24th overall), positioned as the starting right guard following a promising where he was named the starter for the preseason opener. He started the first two preseason games against the and , showcasing his run-blocking prowess from his Stanford days before the injury setback. During the third preseason game against the on August 25, DeCastro sustained a severe right in the first quarter while pass blocking, suffering a torn , a dislocated kneecap, and partial damage to his . The required surgery on September 5, and he was subsequently placed on injured reserve with an injury settlement under the NFL's new return designation rule, sidelining him for the first 11 regular-season games. DeCastro returned to practice in late November and made his NFL regular-season debut in Week 14 on December 9 against the San Diego Chargers, contributing on special teams in a 34-24 loss. He started at right guard for the first time the following week in a 27-24 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys on December 16, then anchored the position in losses to the Cincinnati Bengals (13-10) and a win over the Cleveland Browns (24-10) to close the regular season. In these limited appearances, he helped protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger amid an offensive line plagued by injuries, beginning his adaptation to the NFL's heightened physicality and power-based blocking schemes compared to his college experience. Over the season, DeCastro appeared in four games with three starts, logging 136 offensive snaps, as the Steelers finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. His rookie year was marked by the frustration of the extended rehabilitation but provided an initial taste of professional competition upon his late return.

2013 season

In 2013, David DeCastro made a full recovery from the severe right knee injury—consisting of a torn medial collateral ligament, dislocated kneecap, and partial patellar tendon tear—that had sidelined him for most of his rookie season in 2012. He started all 15 regular-season games at right guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers, logging 949 offensive snaps, which accounted for 97% of the team's total offensive plays. This consistency marked a significant sophomore breakthrough, allowing DeCastro to anchor the right side of the line and provide reliable protection for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who also appeared in 15 games, fostering improved on-field chemistry between the offensive line and the passing attack. DeCastro's run-blocking prowess earned him recognition as one of the top performers at his position, including selection to Pro Football Focus's All-AFC North Team as the premier right guard, and he ranked fifth among right guards in overall performance according to PFF's season-end evaluations. His contributions helped elevate the Steelers' offensive line from 25th in PFF's overall rankings and 30th in run blocking in 2012 to 15th overall and 21st in run blocking in 2013, supporting a more efficient ground game despite the team's modest 1,383 rushing yards on the season. The Steelers finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, resulting in no postseason action for DeCastro.

2014 season

In 2014, DeCastro enjoyed his first full season as a professional, starting all 16 regular-season games at right guard for the and participating in 100% of the team's offensive snaps. Building on his developing performance from the prior year, he helped anchor an offensive line that supported a marked improvement in the unit's output, as the Steelers finished 11-5 and ranked seventh in the in scoring with 436 points. Quarterback enjoyed a career-best statistical year, passing for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns while benefiting from enhanced protection that limited him to 30 sacks allowed, down from 44 the previous season. DeCastro's consistency contributed to the line's stability, with the group committing relatively few procedural infractions; he personally drew just four penalties across the , including two false starts and no holdings. This disciplined play aided Pittsburgh's balanced attack, which averaged 355.8 yards per game and featured standout efforts like a 51-34 Week 8 win over the , where Roethlisberger set a franchise single-game record with 522 passing yards and six touchdowns behind solid blocking. DeCastro made his postseason debut in the AFC Wild Card round, starting at right guard in a 30-17 loss to the on January 3, , where he again logged all offensive snaps in his lone playoff appearance that year.

2015 season

In the season, David DeCastro solidified his status as one of the NFL's premier offensive guards, starting all 16 regular-season games at right guard for the and anchoring an offensive line that provided crucial protection and run support. His performance contributed to the Steelers' balanced attack, where quarterback led the league with 4,710 passing yards, and the team ranked seventh in rushing yards per game at 126.1. DeCastro's consistency was evident in his participation in 100% of the offensive snaps (1,074 total), during which he committed only three penalties, helping the line achieve shutouts in sacks allowed over three games. DeCastro earned his first selection and was named to the First-Team for his elite blocking in both pass protection and run schemes, marking a significant elevation in recognition after building offensive line stability in prior seasons. Analysts highlighted his technical improvements, particularly in pass blocking, where he neutralized elite defenders and opened lanes for a rushing offense that averaged 4.6 yards per carry despite injuries to key backs like . DeCastro played a key role in the Steelers' 10-6 regular-season record, securing the AFC's final playoff spot, as the team advanced through the postseason with a Wild Card victory over the Cincinnati Bengals (18-16) before a Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos (16-23), where he started both games. Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak praised DeCastro's reliability, noting his ability to handle top pass rushers without missing assignments, while DeCastro himself attributed his success to consistent preparation that elevated the unit's overall performance.

2016 season

In August 2016, prior to the start of the regular season, David DeCastro signed a six-year contract extension with the worth $58.07 million, securing his position on the offensive line through the 2021 season. This deal included $25 million in guarantees and reflected DeCastro's growing importance to the team following his first-team recognition in 2015, which had built significant momentum for his value as a right guard. DeCastro started all 16 regular-season games in , continuing his streak of durability and earning his second consecutive selection. His consistent performance anchored the Steelers' offensive line, allowing for effective protection and run blocking throughout the year. The Steelers finished the regular season with an 11–5 record, clinching the division title with DeCastro's contributions. He participated in all three playoff games, starting each one, as defeated the in the Divisional Round before falling to the in the . Overall, DeCastro appeared in 19 games (16 regular season, 3 postseason) with 100% snap participation, underscoring his reliability.

2017 season

In the 2017 season, David DeCastro started 15 of the ' 16 regular-season games at right guard, missing the Week 17 finale against the while inactive as a precautionary measure to protect against potential injury. His consistent presence on the offensive line contributed to the Steelers' strong 13–3 regular-season record, the best in the AFC, helping anchor a unit that supported a balanced attack led by and . DeCastro's performance earned him his third selection and a First-Team honor from the , recognizing his elite play among offensive guards. He also received the Bruce Matthews Award from as the league's top offensive lineman, highlighted by his exceptional pass protection where he allowed just one sack and 15 total pressures over 698 pass-blocking snaps, earning the third-highest pass-blocking grade (87.2) among guards. In the playoffs, DeCastro started and played in the Steelers' AFC Divisional Round game, a 45–42 loss to the at home. Overall, his season statistics included 15 regular-season starts and one postseason appearance, with assigning him an overall grade of 87.5, underscoring his reliability in both run blocking and pass protection.

2018 season

In the , David DeCastro suffered a fractured right hand during the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 1 tie against the , an injury that sidelined him for the following two games against the and . He returned in Week 4 against the and went on to start the final 13 contests, accumulating 14 starts overall despite the setback. DeCastro's resilience was evident in his run blocking, where he earned an 83.3 grade from after 12 weeks, contributing to the Steelers' offensive line enabling a franchise-record 54 touchdowns during the year. DeCastro's strong play amid the hand injury earned him his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection, continuing the recognition from his All-Pro honors in 2017. The Steelers concluded the regular season with a 9–6–1 record but failed to qualify for the postseason.

2019 season

DeCastro entered the 2019 season having recovered from a hand injury that limited him in 2018, allowing him to start and play in all 16 regular-season games for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He participated in 100% of the team's offensive snaps, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of the offensive line. On December 17, 2019, DeCastro was selected for his fifth consecutive appearance, recognizing his consistent excellence at right guard. Despite this individual accolade, he drew four penalties during the season, including holds and false starts, while maintaining elite blocking performance that earned him a 71.0 overall grade from , ranking 15th among guards. A notable incident occurred after the Steelers' 21-7 loss to the in Week 11 on November 14, 2019, when a post-game brawl erupted following Myles Garrett's helmet swing at Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. DeCastro became involved while attempting to de-escalate the altercation, leading to a $14,037 fine from the for ; he described his actions as those of a "peacemaker" and planned to appeal the penalty. The Steelers finished the season with an 8-8 record, missing the playoffs for the second straight year, though DeCastro's contributions helped anchor an offensive line that ranked ninth overall per Pro Football Focus.

2020 season

DeCastro missed the first two games of the 2020 season due to a knee injury he sustained during training camp. He returned in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, starting that contest along with Weeks 4 and 5 before sustaining an abdominal injury during the Week 5 game against the Philadelphia Eagles that sidelined him for Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns; he started the remaining 10 regular-season games for a total of 13 starts in 16 games. Despite the ongoing and league opt-out options, DeCastro affirmed his commitment to playing the full season, stating he never seriously considered opting out. DeCastro's consistent protection after his return helped anchor the Steelers' offensive line, contributing to their 12–4 record and division championship. His performance that year extended his streak to six consecutive selections, earning him his sixth nod despite the missed time. DeCastro started in the Steelers' wild-card playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns. Over his career through 2020, he had played in 125 games with 124 starts.

Release and retirement

On June 24, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers released guard David DeCastro after nine seasons with the team, a move that saved approximately $8.75 million in salary cap space for the upcoming season. The release carried a non-football injury designation, stemming from lingering effects of an ankle injury DeCastro sustained in the 2020 season, which had already limited his play that year. Following his release, DeCastro did not sign with another team and underwent additional ankle surgery in the ensuing months, effectively retiring from professional football at the age of 31. Over his career, he appeared in 125 regular-season games with 124 starts for the Steelers, providing consistent stability to an offensive line that supported multiple playoff runs. DeCastro's tenure earned him six consecutive selections from 2015 to 2020, along with two first-team honors in 2015 and 2017, and a second-team nod in 2016, cementing his reputation as one of the league's elite interior linemen. His contributions helped anchor Pittsburgh's ground game and pass protection during a period of transition for the franchise's offensive unit. By the end of his career, DeCastro had amassed total earnings of approximately $57.1 million from his contracts with the Steelers. In 2025, DeCastro was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.

Personal life

Family

David DeCastro is married to Bonnie DeCastro (née Butler), whom he met as a teenager. The exact date of their marriage is not publicly disclosed, though it occurred in 2015, after 2014, when she was referenced as his . The couple has four children, including two daughters; their daughter Brooke was born in October 2017. Their second daughter was born in May 2019. DeCastro missed organized team activities that year to be with his family during the birth. DeCastro relocated to the area upon being drafted by the Steelers in 2012, where he and his immediate family have resided throughout his career. The family has emphasized , with DeCastro rarely sharing personal details about his home life in public interviews or media appearances. Throughout his professional career, DeCastro balanced family commitments with the rigors of football, including absences for significant family events and recoveries from injuries such as knee surgeries in 2012 and 2013, as well as an ankle injury in 2020. Following his retirement in 2021, DeCastro has noted the opportunity to devote more time to his family.

Post-NFL activities

Following his retirement from the in 2021, David DeCastro has primarily focused on life, including raising his four children, which he describes as providing a renewed sense of purpose after the structured routine of professional football. He has also embraced as a key leisure activity, joining a local for regular play and engaging in to maintain and a competitive edge, often achieving around 10,000 steps per day through these pursuits. In early 2025, DeCastro entered the business world by applying to open a medical marijuana at 7725 McKnight Road in Ross Township, Pennsylvania, a location just north of . The proposal faced initial delays due to concerns from neighboring businesses about proximity and traffic, but Ross Township commissioners unanimously approved the conditional use in March 2025, with further confirmation of the third permit in May. DeCastro has expressed interest in expanding to three locations and advocates for improved regulatory treatment of the industry. DeCastro has deliberately avoided involvement in commentary, coaching, or public analysis of the sport, preferring to maintain a low profile since his departure from the league. This choice aligns with his emphasis on a private life centered on personal and family matters, supported by his family's encouragement during the initial post-retirement transition period. In a March 2025 , DeCastro reflected on his with satisfaction, noting that while he misses the camaraderie and daily purpose of football—particularly the initial six-month adjustment involving hiking and rehabilitation—he now prioritizes family time and these new endeavors as fulfilling his current life goals.

References

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  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/14935/david-decastro
  3. https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-draft-stanford-g-decastro-with-24th-pick-09000d5d828a4c6c
  4. https://www.nfl.com/news/ex-steelers-guard-david-decastro-reveals-need-for-another-ankle-surgery-has-no-p
  5. https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-release-pro-bowl-g-david-decastro
  6. https://www.nfl.com/news/128-modern-era-players-nominated-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026
  7. https://www.steelers.com/news/decastro-it-was-amazing-i-would-do-it-again-12696780
  8. https://www.sportspressnw.com/2113668/2012/steelers-take-bellevue-star-decastro
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  10. https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/heard-headlines-local-picks-on-ap-all-state-team/
  11. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/boys-star-of-the-year-east-david-decastro-bellevue/
  12. https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/SchoolRecords.aspx?SchoolID=406
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  14. https://gostanford.com/news/2017/09/7/it-happened-against-usc
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  17. http://nationalchamps.net/2010/awards/pacten.htm
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  25. https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=82440&DraftYear=2012
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  30. https://www.steelers.com/news/decastro-adams-to-start-vs-eagles-7824331
  31. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/steelers-will-start-2-rookies-vs-eagles-7941807
  32. https://www.espn.com/nfl/trainingcamp12/story/_/id/8303295/rookie-right-guard-david-decastro-pittsburgh-steelers-hurts-knee-buffalo-bills
  33. https://www.nfl.com/news/mri-reveals-steelers-david-decastro-suffered-torn-mcl-0ap1000000055039
  34. https://www.steelers.com/news/decastro-to-ir-van-dyke-signed-8187456
  35. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DeCaDa00/gamelog/2012/
  36. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/decastro-settled-in-after-frustrating-rookie-year
  37. https://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/3644/decastro-overcomes-two-major-injuries
  38. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2012.htm
  39. https://www.pff.com/news/2013-pff-all-afc-north-team
  40. https://www.pff.com/news/2013-offensive-line-rankings
  41. https://www.pff.com/news/ranking-the-2012-offensive-lines
  42. https://www.nfl.com/news/2015-all-pro-team-analysis-of-the-first-team-roster-0ap3000000619551
  43. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DeCaDa00/gamelog/2015/
  44. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/allpro.htm
  45. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2603195-bleacher-reports-2015-nfl-all-pro-team
  46. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2015.htm
  47. https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/12/23/steelers-insider-decastro-s-consistency/18521031007/
  48. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2655732-david-decastro-steelers-agree-on-new-contract-details-comments-and-reaction
  49. https://www.nfl.com/news/david-decastro-steelers-agree-on-new-six-year-deal-0ap3000000696930
  50. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2016.htm
  51. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DeCaDa00.htm#all_playoffs
  52. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DeCaDa00/gamelog/2017/
  53. https://www.pff.com/news/pro-david-decastro-the-pff-matthews-award-winner-for-best-offensive-lineman
  54. https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/david-decastro/7640
  55. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2018.htm
  56. https://www.nfl.com/players/david-decastro/stats/logs/2019/
  57. https://www.nflpenalties.com/player/d-decastro-pittsburgh-steelers?year=2019
  58. https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2020/3/29/21198703/how-accurate-were-the-pro-football-focus-grades-for-the-pittsburgh-steelers-offense-in-2019-pff
  59. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28176814/steelers-david-decastro-says-was-fined-being-peacemaker-brawl-browns
  60. https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-guard-david-decastro-fined-14037-for-unsportsmanlike-conduct-against-browns/
  61. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2019.htm
  62. https://steelersdepot.com/2020/01/steelers-o-line-ranked-9th-in-2019-by-pff/
  63. https://steelersdepot.com/2020/09/david-decastro-says-knee-felt-really-good-and-held-up-really-well-after-first-game-back/
  64. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DeCaDa00/gamelog/2020/
  65. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-lose-pro-bowl-lineman-david-decastro-vs-eagles-due-to-abdomen-injury/
  66. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/08/10/david-decastro-steelers-training-camp-covid-19/stories/202008100093
  67. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2020.htm
  68. https://www.steelers.com/news/five-steelers-earn-pro-bowl-honors
  69. https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-release-decastro
  70. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31702330/pittsburgh-steelers-release-guard-david-decastro-six-pro-bowl-selection
  71. https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-release-david-decastro-non-football-injury
  72. https://www.profootballrumors.com/2021/06/david-decastro-months-away-from-decision-on-continuing-career
  73. https://overthecap.com/career-earnings
  74. https://www.juliekaykelly.com/blog/nfl-wedding-published-on-style-me-pretty-napa-wedding-photography
  75. https://triblive.com/sports/david-decastro-misses-1st-week-of-otas-due-to-birth-of-child/
  76. https://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/25777/best-week-ever-david-decastro-adds-fatherhood-to-potential-all-pro-season
  77. https://247sports.com/article/david-decastro-welcomes-birth-of-second-child--132272880/
  78. https://steelersdepot.com/2019/05/steelers-g-david-decastro-absent-from-first-week-of-otas-due-to-birth-of-second-child/
  79. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2012/04/28/ride-of-a-lifetime-decastro-s-path-to-steelers-an-odd-one/stories/201204280154
  80. https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2020/6/17/21292500/steelers-guard-david-decastro-lets-his-on-field-performance-do-all-the-talking-pittsburgh-pro-bowl
  81. https://steelerstakeaways.com/exclusive-with-former-steelers-offensive-lineman-david-decastro-2012-2020/
  82. https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2025/02/former-pittsburgh-steelers-all-pro-enters-new-business.html
  83. https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/medical-marijuana-dispensary-mcknight-road-ross-township/
  84. https://triblive.com/local/north-hills/following-approval-of-3rd-dispensary-ross-considering-setting-minimum-distance-between-medical-marijuana-facilities/
  85. https://www.steelernation.com/2023/03/18/steelers-david-decastro-happy-wont-talk-football
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