Former Chief signs with Steelers

A Moses Lake High School and University of Washington alumnus, Jordan Reffett, has signed as a free agent a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The defensive tackle said he had been talking to a number of teams before he reached an agreement with Pittsburgh.

"The Steelers made the best offer and was the best fit for me and my family," Reffett said. "I'm happy to be a Steeler."

Reffett's high school football coach Greg Kittrell said Reffett "was a star here in Moses Lake."

Kittrell said the "hometown hero" was a star on the football field as well as the basketball court and was an all-state player in both sports.

Reffett said he will be leaving later in the week to start meetings in Pittsurgh and will move there "probably for good" on May 16.

When asked if he had been a Steelers fan previously, he had to make one thing clear: "I'm the biggest Seahawks fan," Reffett said, "as long as they're not playing the Steelers."

Seattle was among the teams Reffett had been talking to before signing with the Steelers. He said he talked to them "quite a bit" and thought he had a shot, but it didn't work out.

Reffett said the week of the NFL draft was nerve-wracking.

"It's kind of a stressful time," he said. "You don't really know what's going to happen."

According to the UW Athletics Web site, the 2002 Moses Lake High School graduate helped the Chiefs to a 7-4 record in 2001 and a spot in the state 4A playoffs. He was named the 2001 Big Nine Conference Player of the Year and was recognized state-wide for his accomplishments on the field.

In 2006 and 2007, Reffett won the Guy Flaherty Award, making him the third player in its history to receive the award twice.