Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

How has offseason gone so far – why Seattle before Pittsburgh?

I signed with Seattle after the draft and was there until June. That was a good experience, but then they needed help with other positions so they let me go. After that I worked out for the Steelers and they signed me.

Why sign with Pittsburgh?

Being a local guy helped. They called my agent the day after I was released and had me come in for a workout.  I guess I did well – they signed me the next day.

Who was there for the workout?

It was just me and most of the staff.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Levi Wentz”

First off can you share what you’ve been up to since your playing career?

Once I was done playing I went and played for a year in Canada – then I went into marketing and did a bit of marketing for athletes like Melvin Gordon.

I did that for a short while then went into real estate and did that full-time. I did that for a while then went to work as a sales rep for a tea company – that’s what I’m doing now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver/Kick Returner Kenzel Doe, 2015”

First off, what’s the offseason and OTAs been like for you?

It’s been good – it was different than being in Cincinnati. Mike {McCarthy} ran a tougher program – practices have been harder and longer than what we ran in Cincinnati. It was good though – with a new offense and me getting the chance to get to know those guys, it was great to be there and work on my craft and to get ready for camp.

Why did you decide to sign with Pittsburgh versus other teams?

I thought it was a good fit. I looked at the roster – they made a lot of moves in the receivers room and I thought I might have some opportunities there. It was also closer to home – and I love AFC North football.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Cole Burgess”

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

Now I’m a senior manager at a publicly traded global real estate company. I’m a tenant rep and broker here in Chicago – working on commercial real estate on behalf of my clients. It keeps me on my toes.

Was the post-NFL transition diffcult?

It was difficult. I wanted my career to be longer – I didn’t want to give it up. I was cut from a lot of tams over my three years in the NFL – but I was also one of 96 guys at my position those years. Competing after that against a bunch of kids who just graduated college for jobs was humbling. I had to show that my experience as a quarterback was valuable – all those kids did was go to school. I got a finance degree from Illinois as well – I didn’t go to Illinois for my grades. I had to work hard to compete in the classroom and win games.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Quarterback Kurt Kittner, 2004”

First off-  what have you been up to since football?

Well – I have a 10 year-old daughter – I love working with her. She’s really become great at tennis and when she’s with me I really have a goos time working with her and seeing her get better!

For me – after the NFL I went to the CFL for a bit then I found my niche. I’m working with kids – I started with after school programs, helping others utilize my knowledge while I realized that I have a great passion for working with people. I started that 10-12 years ago.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Thaddeus Gibson, 2010”

First off, what are you up to now since your football days?

I run a gym here in my hometown and am a sports performance coach. I work with kids, adults and teams who want help.

I learned from a lot of my coaches about hard work and dedication to the craft. That was the biggest thing for me – I was a good player but I didn’t understand how important that side of things was when you got to the NFL. In college it was line up, beat your man and make a play. In the NFL you had to know what the linebacker, safety, other defensive linemen all were doing. I try to instill that in the kids I work with now – put the time in and go get it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Eric Taylor, 2004-2005”