More than 2,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff PLUS interviews with Pittsburgh actors, musicians, authors and more
First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?
For the last 24 years or so I was in automotive sales – I retired from that in 2024. I was recently hired by the school system here to be a teacher’s assistant. When I was young I was influenced by my coaches and teachers – I patterned myself after them.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Charles Buchanan, 1987”
LB Vinson Smith: “I remember talking to Mike Ditka after my last game in New Orleans. I went to his office and he gave me the best advice I ever got. He said the first thing I needed to understand is that I’ll never find anything that excites me more than football. Nothing will replace it. That’s what I loved about Mike – he was straight up about things. He told me that if I tried to replace football I’d only fail. That life was over with – I won’t find anything like that again.”
Continue reading “Remembering Mike Ditka”
First off, I know you got into coaching after football – how did that start?
After I was done playing I had no idea what to do next. I kind of fell into coaching. I got word through the Polynesian community that a coaching job opened up and got hired as an offensive line coach. I stayed with coaching and am now the defensive line coach for Mesa High School in Arizona.
First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?
Since I’ve been out of football I got involved in the oil and gas injury – Texas being what it is. I was curious about it so got into the well-side in South Texas first then moved into the nitrogen side. I’ve been doing that for the last three years.
Was the transition to post-NFL life difficult?
It was a little bit. You play the game for so long you don’t learn a lot about other things. I played since second grade until I was 28 – I didn’t know what was next. After 2015 I went and played in Canada for two years but hurt my shoulder in 2015 versus Chicago. I couldn’t get healthy in time for the NFL so went to Canada.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Terrence Frederick, 2012”
First off, what have you been up to since just recently retiring? How is retirement going for you?
I’m just here building my businesses. Working with youth, spending time with my family….just enjoying life and helping the community grow.
I own training facilities in the Atlanta area – called the Legacy Sports Complex. It’s a multi-sport training facility for people anywhere from two years old to your grandmother and grandfather. We have specialists for every sport from lacrosse and basketball to football, tennis – everything.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Bengals Wide Receiver Mohamed Sanu”
First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?
Now I’m just giving my life to God. It was tough after football – I was just starting to realize my potential then it was all cut short. I was injured then written off. Now I’m trying to figure out what my identity is.
I did some high school coaching – I’m still the defensive coordinator at a high school here. I bought a dump truck and did some materials moving for real estate companies but that didn’t last long. I’m just on the journey to find ways to continue to live my life.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Greg Ducre, 2017”
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.
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”