Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First off, what got you interesting in being a chef – even as a kid in Hungary?

My grandmother was a chef in Hungary – I grew up in a tough, Communist country and had to take care of my siblings. I was the oldest of three and cooked at home a lot for myself and siblings. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and cooked with her – she was a professional chef and I learned a lot from her.

I’ve been cooking since I was five – I never went to culinary school. I went to university for business.  I’ve always enjoyed cooking for others – I hosted events in high school and college and eventually dropped out of college to be a chef.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Executive Chef for Pittsburgh Sports Stadiums, Gabor Kovats”

First off, what are you up to now – what new projects should we be looking for?

I’ve been doing this for a minute now – I lost count of the number of records and songs I’ve done. I just finished my third covers album – I never thought I’d be doing those when I started. But I reached a point where I didn’t feel like I had much more to write about. When I started I wasn’t thinking about writing songs – the Beatles already existed. But when I do the covers I like being ironic and doing pop songs in my style. Continue reading “Exclusive with Pittsburgh-Born Musician William Fitzsimmons”

First, you have a lot going on – MySunday7, media analyst, the new book Smarter About Sports: My Life Navigating Athletes, Agents, Media, and the Business , NIL work, teaching….how are you juggling it all and what projects do you want everyone to be most aware of?

I’ve been teaching law full-time for the last 12 years – now my current project I want to work on is writing a sports law textbook.  A real textbook weaving in my case law experience  – that’s a concurrent project I have now.

That jives with the book – it covers the long, winding road through my career – the stops along the way and the lessons learned and gleaned – how to negotiate and operate through the sports business world.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former NFL Agent Packers VP, Author and Analyst Andrew Brandt”

First off, what are you up to now?

I’m retired but in name only! I’m involved in youth and high school soccer in Western, PA. I coached for 30 years at Pitt and retired 10 years ago. But when people know you are still around they call you! Now I can pick and choose what I want to do and enjoy working with the kids.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Pitt Soccer Coach, Pittsburgh Miner and Pittsburgh Spirit Player Joe Luxbacher”

First off, how did playing in Western PA influence you as a quarterback?

It had a big impact. I grew up in McKees Rocks. It was a working-class, tough town that loved Friday night football. I was an only child – my dad died young. My mother was wonderful – she let me do what I wanted and play the game I loved. I had a lot of support from the city and have great memories from growing up. I was lucky to have the chance to play in front of so many people and college coaches and to sign with Penn State.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Pittsburgh/Penn State Quarterback Chuck Fusina”

I have had a great post football career living in Edmond,  Oklahoma for the last 30 yrs.  My wife Trish and I have raised 3 great kids. John Ryan, Nikki and Chelsea is the youngest.  All my kids are grown and went to the same Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

After Graduation all attended The University of Oklahoma (of course). We are all big Sooner fans and season ticket holders.  My youngest daughter Chelsea ran track at OU and met her husband while attending school.  He played football for OU and was drafted 4th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.  His name is Lane Johnson.  They have two kids and one on the way, and my son has one beautiful daughter.  He and his wife Stephanie live in Seattle.

Continue reading “In His Own Words: John Goodman”