Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First off, what got you interested in coaching and how did you get your start?

I grew up around football. My dad was a high school football coach in Humble, Texas and I watched him. He was my hero. I Knew early on that when I was done playing I was going to get into coaching.

At Texas A&M I had great coaches. Mike Sherman, Mike Kubiak, Troy Walters were all there when I played – it was a great staff. I chased playing in the NFL for as long as I could and knew after I wanted to coach. I played for great coaches and took notes from my experiences with each one of them – Marc Trestman, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll….I took notes from each one of them.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Former Steelers Quarterback (2012)/Current Eagles Senior Offensive Analyst Jerrod Johnson”

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

My football career ended in 2007 with the Falcons. After that I went into pharmaceutical sales and did that for three years then went into medical device sales here in Little Rock, Arkansas, I’ve been doing that for 14 years and have been married for 20 years, with three kids.

Are your kids into sports like you were?

My daughter is a swimmer yes – and my older son is into baseball and football – I sometimes help out coaching the team’s offensive line.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Bo Lacy, 2004”

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

I played in the NFL and bounced around a little – the Steelers were the last team I signed with. I thought I’d have a good career there – I fit the culture of the team. I was a physical receiver – I was tough and liked to block.

But I was pretty beat up at that point. I actually left the night before I was supposed to start with them. They flew me in mid-season, but the night before I was to start I just knew I didn’t have it. I was about to go to the meeting the next day and instead just left. I didn’t even tell my agent.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Brad Pyatt, 2006”

First off, what happened after you were released in 2002?

After I got released Pittsburgh offered me a spot on the practice squad. I didn’t choose it – build I wish I would have. Erik Totten, me and James Harrison were all released on the same day. Harrison and I went to the movies after and ran into each other there. We were so damn depressed – we ended up watching different movies. He and Erik decided to stay on sign with the practice squad – but I had an offer to sign with Cincinnati. I was from Dayton and was raising my younger brother at the time so I signed with them.

Harrison went on to become a Super Bowl champion. Who knows – if I stayed maybe I would have worked my way up the team too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Lavar Glover, 2002”

First off- what made you decide to sign with the Steelers this offseason?

Honestly, I asked my agent that as well. I had a lot of workouts last year and Pittsburgh was just the most recent one. I was the most fluid of the guys they worked out and they signed me then – it just worked out for me that way.

Did any of those veteran defensive backs help you out most in Pittsburgh?

All of them did – the main guys like Ramsey and Joey Porter were just made active recently  – so the guys that helped most on the field were Echols, Samuel and Deal. In the meeting room it was J-Ram (Ramsey) – most definitely.

Continue reading “Excusive with Steelers Cornerback Doneiko Slaughter”

First off, what’s post-NFL life been like for you?

I’m a full-time dad now. It’s been crazy – when  I left the league I had my first son – in 2023. Then we had twins a year later! I need extra arms – it’s been buy.

Were the twins a surprise?

They were! My wife’s family had twins two or three generations ago so it got us! For a few months we had three kids under two – now they are all catching up to each other physically and are daredevils. It’s been a fun time – I’ve enjoyed getting close to my wife and being with my family.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety Sean Davis, 2016-2019, 2020”

First off, how/why did you get your start in coaching?

I just wanted the opportunity to impact young people’s lives. The things that happened for me as a player – the coaches that impacted my life like Dick Hoak, Tony Dungy, Dennis Green….they added to my experiences and I wanted to do the same for others.

They taught me that you need to find out who you are as a person. Herm Edwards and Tye Willingham – they showed me that you have to be able to communicate well – to give others the space to communicate and share with you.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Scottie Graham, 1992”