No Longer a Surprise, Cory Trice Cements His Place with Steelers

Former Christian County Colonel Cory Trice the day he signed with Purdue University (Photo-Chris Jung)

Cory Trice’s life was forged in hardship. Despite it all, he’s always known he was destined for greatness, even when the odds seemed insurmountable.

“A lot of people going to be surprised, but I ain’t,” he wrote on Twitter in April 2023, just a couple weeks before being selected in the NFL Draft. That confidence wasn’t arrogance — it was the culmination of a lifetime of perseverance, quiet resilience, and knowing that every tribulation, every loss, every hurdle, had prepared him for this moment.

As just a boy, Trice faced unimaginable loss when his father was shot and killed, leaving the Hopkinsville, Kentucky, native with a gaping void few can comprehend. But even from that darkness, Trice found a way to persevere.

Football became more than a sport to Trice; it was his refuge, his outlet, his purpose. Football wasn’t just a pastime for him — it was his anchor, his way of coping and fighting for a future his father never got to see. His life, marked by tragedy, became a testament to resilience, grit, and a relentless drive to rise above.

With a mother, Tomica Mason, who tirelessly supported him at every turn, Trice set his eyes on dreams larger than the hardships surrounding him. He literally pinned his goals to a poster board: get good grades, improve on the field, and make it to the NFL. Those words weren’t just ink on paper; they were his survival plan, his promise to his father that he would outwork everyone.

Christian County High School became the launching pad for Cory’s dreams. His size, athleticism, and dedication helped him become one of the state’s most feared defenders, kick returners, and dynamic players. In October 2017, though, Trice’s senior season would be cut short following a broken ankle. Despite the difficult development, Trice used crutches to remain a supportive teammate on the sideline.

Two months after his high school football career ended prematurely, Trice kept on pushing and signed to play college football at Purdue University. It would be in West Lafayette, Indiana, where Trice’s character would once again shine. After transitioning to cornerback and becoming a standout player for the Boilermakers, tragedy struck again: a brutal ACL tear in 2021 that nearly ended Trice’s playing career altogether.

He could have walked away then. Nobody would have blamed him. But Cory’s story is not one of surrender. It never has been.

He fought through the pain, the long hours of rehabilitation, and the doubts of others. That sacrifice and determination led to a prolific swan song season at Purdue that launched Cory onto the national scene and, more importantly, the radar screens of NFL scouts.

In 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers saw something in Trice that goes beyond stats registered in the NFL Combine — his relentless will to overcome. Despite being projected near the third or fourth round, Trice was one of the final players selected in the seventh round by one of professional football’s most storied franchises. And even though the draft process was a tad altered from what he had anticipated, Trice’s NFL dream was finally within reach. His foot was in the door.

Just as quickly as his dream was coming to fruition, however, Trice had it all ripped away again by injury, sidelining him for his rookie season. A torn ACL during the preseason meant yet another comeback would be necessary in order for Trice to reach his next goal. Another heartbreak. Another mountain to climb.

But Trice’s strength has always been in his ability to rise from the ashes. It was ingrained in him before he was 10 years old. One of Hoptown’s favorite sons has never backed down from a fight. This newest affliction was just another wrinkle that needed ironing.

Last month, Trice returned from his injury stronger than ever. His offseason regiment had clearly paid dividends, as the former Colonel looked quick, agile, and eager. And two games into the 2024 NFL regular season, that proved to be beyond accurate.

On Sunday, in just his second career pro game, Trice did what he does best: he trusted his instincts. Watching Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix like a hawk, Trice backpedaled, glanced back briefly at the wide receiver he was defending, and stepped in front of the pass for his first-career NFL interception.

The contest-changing pick, on a 2nd & goal play, kept the Broncos from making it a one-possession game. It held up as the game’s most significant defensive play. The Steelers went on to win 13-6 to remain unbeaten in the young season.

Trice’s celebration with his teammates was a thing of beauty. This moment of triumph after years of struggle wasn’t just an interception — it was a symbol of every tear shed, every moment of pain endured, and every goal Trice has set for himself over the years.

His story isn’t just about football — it’s about survival, defying odds, and honoring his father’s legacy. Cory Trice isn’t just playing for himself; he’s playing for a life that could have taken him in any other direction. And in every tackle, every interception, you see the heart of a man who has already won, no matter what the scoreboard says.

After the game, as reporters huddled around him to ask about the big-time play, Trice wasn’t phased. One media member asked Trice how it felt to be coming home with a 2-0 record. After flashing his trademark smile and dreadlocks, Trice showed why he’s never satisfied with the status quo.

“It feels great, man, but we definitely have more work to do,” he replied. “We’re going to enjoy it tonight, but then tomorrow we’re going to start analyzing tape and start getting ready for the Chargers.”

At the next locker over, Trice’s teammate and All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt, one of the most revered and respected players in the league, showed that he’s also taken notice.

“How about Cory Trice and all that he’s been able to overcome? Just seeing all the work that he puts in, and to see him get that play, that interception, was just huge,” Watt shared with a grin. “To have Cory make a play like that in a big-time moment was huge. But we’re not surprised.”

Nobody’s surprised anymore, Cory. We’re all just excited to see which goal you’ll check off next. It’s inevitable. We’re all rooting for it…including your dad.