Welcome to Steelers Takeaways! – More than 1,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff, media and more with those that played in the 50’s through today’s current roster.

Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Ryan Thelwell, 1999

First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I’m currently the President of BKI Canada- we are a disaster remediation service company. Just like you’ve seen with the flooding and hurricane damage in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina – our organization works with insurance companies to get homes and lives back to livable standards. It’s an interesting industry – you don’t think about it until something happens to you at three a.m.

I knew nothing about the industry when I retired. Now we see, year over year, times have gotten worse weather-wise. So there’s been more need for our services.

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Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Dylan Cook

First off, why did you sign with Pittsburgh last seasons – what made you decide to go there?

They chose me really. Tampa Bay released me my second year there and I flew back to Montana. I wasn’t there 24 hours when Pittsburgh signed me and I flew to Pittsburgh.

It’s crazy – I never talked to Tampa Bay or Pittsburgh pre-draft. It’s interesting how it happens. Crazy how things work.

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Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Domenique Davis

First off, why did you choose rot sign back with Pittsburgh?

It was a great opportunity. Meeting Coach Tomlin and Coach Dunlap and seeing that defensive line room and how it worked. Hard work there is respected. In Cincinnati I busted my butt but was battling things out of my control. In Pittsburgh it feels like effort is more respected. There’s more opportunity here – they show love from top to bottom.

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Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Evan Hull

First off, why did you choose to sign with the Steelers?

Ultimately it was a real simple decision for me to make. I wanted to go where I could have the biggest impact for my team. There were multiple factors on why I chose the Steelers. I talked to my family and prayed on it. The depth chart and scheme were big reasons. I was also just excited about getting s fresh start. My family was on board and it was just the right fit.

What’s in store for you this offseason?

Work, work, work! The past two years with the Colts – I’m super grateful for the opportunity they gave me and for drafting me. It was motivating though not to see the field last season, knowing what I can bring to a team. I’m getting to work on my weaknesses and want to come back better and stronger.

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Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Rashard Mendenhall, 2008-2012

First off, what new projects are you working on now?

Now, my big thing is my transition back to Pittsburgh from L.A. We moved back about six months ago and are getting re-established here. We have twin girls and a son so getting them in school and getting settled has been a major thing.

Professionally, I signed with a publishing company to produce a book of poetry. That will come out this year. My wife and I are also talking to a family friend who is selling their business. It’s called Salt of the Earth – it’s a salt cave and crystals shop in McMurray. We’re still talking to them about that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Rashard Mendenhall, 2008-2012”

Exclusive with Celebrity Tattooist Chris Garver

First off, can you let me know where we can find you now?

I have a shop in Manhattan – Five Points Tattoo – it’s between Soho and Chinatown. I’ve been here for eight years now – before that I was on the East Side.

After Miami Ink, I wanted to lay low for a while. I didn’t enjoy the high-profile stuff. I worked at a small shop in New York after that Invisible Ink callf. As the name would suggest, it was very low-key – it even had black-out windows. I wanted to get away from the tattoo-fan clients. Continue reading “Exclusive with Celebrity Tattooist Chris Garver”

Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Julius Welschof

First off, what’s the off-season looking like for you?

I’m staying here in Pittsburgh. Being from Germany, I don’t have any family here so I’ll train here then visit home for 10 days. I’m just staying in shape and staying ready for next season, using the Steelers facilities to stay ready.

What have coaches told you to work on?

They told me to stay in shape. My goal is to have more of an impact on special teams. That’s how you get those last spots on the active roster. So I’m fine-tuning those skills. Danny Smith told me he has a plan for me at OTAs. I’m not sure what that will be though.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback B.J. Tucker, 2003

First off, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I’ve been married to 20 years now and have two boys – one in college at Oregon and the other is 13. I met my wife when I moved to the U.S. when I was 10 – I knew her since I was a kid.

I’m a firefighter now – I’m a captain here in Washington – I was promoted to captain about a year ago.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback B.J. Tucker, 2003”

Exclusive with Steelers Photographer Jared Wickerham

First, can you tell me how you got into photography?

I played sports growing up and really got into skateboarding in junior high school and high school. My grandparents had paid for a photography class for me one Summer – and I was on crutches a bit after getting hurt skateboarding. I wanted to hang out still with my friends so I got an old Canon camera online and photoed my friends skateboarding.

One of the kids was really good and I got a roll of him at the skatepark and handed out some 4x6s. He really liked them and put them up on his site. I was super-stoked to have them on a professional site! Looking back I should have asked for a royalty! But that’s when I saw there could be a future in it.

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Exclsusive with Pittsburgh Native/Actor Tom Atkins

First off, are there any projects you have coming up that you want folks to know about? Is there a “dream project” you’d love to pursue still?

I don’t have a dream project to pursue. I’ve done my dream project. Over the 57 years I’ve been doing this, different directors and actors have asked me “When will we see your Lear?” My answer is “Never.” I’ve never had any interest in doing Lear. My “Lear,” dream was to play the Stage Manager in “Our Town.” Ted Pappas at the Pittsburgh Public Theater fulfilled that dream.

My favorite year of my career and the end of my stage career was in 2013, or 2015, I can’t remember which. In that favorite year, I did the Stage Manager in “Our Town, learning the words beginning in early June, rehearsing August into September, running September into October; playing Scrooge in “A Musical Christmas Carol” for the eigth year in a row, November until the 23rd of December. Finally, The Chief in January for a two-week run, for the ninth year. All three of my favorites in a row. I couldn’t have ended my stage career any happier.

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