Among the adoration the Jets have already shown to the Steelers this week — Rex Ryan praising head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive players lauding quarterback Ben Roethlisberger — is a quirky admiration of the beard.
Steelers defensive lineman Brett Keisel, a 6-foot-5, 285-pounder whose nickname is “The Diesel,” is sporting the most unruly beard in the NFL.
Jets center Nick Mangold, who said he hasn’t trimmed his beard “since around Labor Day,” and right guard Brandon Moore, who said he’s been “working on” his beard all season, have taken notice of Keisel’s beard and are impressed.
“I don’t know him, but I’ve seen him on TV and I think the beard is awesome. I love it,” Moore said.
“I’ve noticed it, I’ve seen it and it’s quite fantastic,” Mangold said. “Keisel has done a fantastic job with it. He’s put some effort into it.”
Keisel’s beard has its own Facebook page with 700-plus followers. No word on whether Mangold and Moore are among those 700.