Former Badger Keeanu Benton made news this week when he signed a historic deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Benton signed a $72 million deal that will make him the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in Steelers history. This caused his best friend and teammate since the Badger days, Nick Herbig, to tear up just talking about it.
Herbig and Benton have been best friends since college, when they met at Wisconsin. They were then drafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers together; now they both signed deals to stay with Pittsburgh, together, even longer. This got Herbig all excited and emotional. He posted two pictures on Instagram, one of the two of them celebrating a sack for Pittsburgh last season, and the second of them walking down the street with matching jackets. The caption read, "This really my mf twin, blood couldn't make us closer."
Herbig was clearly excited for his friend and the opportunity to continue playing together in Pittsburgh. He was asked this week who was more excited about the deal, him or Benton, and he had an emotional answer. "Definitely me, for sure!" He answered with a laugh, "We've been best friends since we met in college; that's like my brother..." It was at this point that he had to choke back a tear and wipe his eye.
"Just everything we have been through together, all the trials and hardships, going through the mud together, getting drafted together, just the journey we've been on." Herbig explained, "Now it's come full circle, I can't even put it into words." You can see the full clip below:
#Steelers OLB Nick Herbig gets emotional talking about the contract extension for Keeanu Benton and getting to spend four more years with his best friend. pic.twitter.com/GJkHaX3mV9
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 15, 2026
Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton continue to showcase what Wisconsin means even in the NFL
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The bond is obvious, and it's a special bond, but it happened at Wisconsin. The two of them first became friends with early morning football practices in Madison. The blood, sweat, and tears at Camp Randall, and the grind of the football season. The two had a bond, and it became even deeper each season; when Pittsburgh drafted them both, it became surreal and even more special.
Wisconsin is proud to have both of these players as alums, and not just because they are both amazing NFL players. Which is good for the brand. Nor even just because they signed big deals and continue to show that if you go to Wisconsin and develop, you can get paid in the NFL. That's cool and all, but their friendship also shows how special Wisconsin is and can be in an entirely different way.
Something about being a Badger seeps into your pores, your blood, and it never leaves. It creates moments, memories, and opportunities. The pair of Herbig and Benton prove that in more ways than one, and it's a good opportunity to say, 'On Wisconsin!'
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