Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First off, what have you been up to since your playing career?

I got my degree in Pulp and Pivot Technology – so I went into commercial and residential landscaping after football. As I got older I went more into earthworks – septic systems and building and fixing roads. I like working with my hands.

Was the post-football adjustment difficult?

I played for 10 years – I was ready – my body was telling me it was time ot get ready to stop. At the end of my career I was at 285 pounds – I was smart enough to start gradually dropping weight. I didn’t do it immediately – but I got to a healthy weight and maintained that.  A lot of guys don’t do that and end up with a lot of stuff – heart conditions and stuff like that. I also did some coaching, donated to the community and public speaking ….I stayed active.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Ed McAleney, 1976”

Can you let us know first off what you did career-wise after football?

That’s a difficult question. When I was released by the Steelers I went to Ottawa in the CFL. I was there a short while but I lost my taste for playing. When I was released I figured I’d give it a shot, but I was raised to move forward and take that next step in life when the time comes.

I came back home to Florida and started a business at first and coached at my high school for a year, trying to figure out what to do in life.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Quarterback Cornelius Benton, 1992”

First off, what have you been up to since you’re playing days?

It’s been interesting. I have an electrical business now. I’m blessed to have four sons – all athletes. So I get to carry on my love of football through them. My first is graduating college – it’s exciting to see my first kid graduate.

I also have a non-profit I started with Raheem Orr called “More Than Sport”. We help kids with things like financial literacy, character building…  Between football and the non-profit I’m always around the sport.

It was rough after football though. To lose the love of your life and get in legal trouble like I did – you see people fall off sometimes and not come back – but I knew I had to get back up.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Mike Jemison, 2006”

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

After playing I stayed and lived in Pittsburgh for 37 years before moving back to Mississippi! I was a science teacher and coached high school football at Gateway High School. Life’s been good! I also started preaching the gospel in 1997 – really as a social minister.

Was the post-NFL transition difficult?

At first it was hard. What made it hard was that I felt like the best man didn’t get the job. At the time that felt difficult. I was from a smaller university and I think they wanted to keep the bigger university guys. The ledger leaned towards them. I know Tony Dungy later told me he regretted the decision – it was just a numbers game he said. It wasn’t because I couldn’t play.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Lou Rash, 1983-1984”

First, what have you been up to since your playing days?

I’m getting into the investment space now. While I was in the NFL I did some internships and networked with private equity and venture investment funds. It’s relationship driven and opportunistic and I like that – it changes the world in a very unique way. The skills required to be a football player translate well in this space. And once I’m in a good place financially I can grow my firm and use it as a way to help my former teammates and family set up their own futures.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver DeAndre Thompkins, 2020”