Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First off, what are you up to now, including your work with L.I.MITLESS Foundation?

I’m medically retired since the 2024 season. I had post-concussion symptoms and neck pain from playing. It wasn’t in the best interest for me to keep playing. I had a growing family and wanted to transition to a new life.

I started L.I.MITLESS in 2023. It started with simple events and has grown now with free clinics for kids now including the Whetstone Clinic. I started the clinic with my childhood best friend Denzel Williams. We wanted to give back to the kids with the resources and relationships we didn’t have access too as kids. I was fortunate to meet some incredible people in college and to have some great experience and I wanted to share those with the kids.

Outside of that I’ve bene rehabbing from the concussion stuff and navigating what’s next. I love dirt – I love ecology – so I’m exploring anything involving growing things too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety Elijah Riley, 2022-2023”

First off -what are you up to now?

I’m still playing – I’m, playing in the Indoor Football League for the Cincinnati Slingers. I’m playing the linebacker position for them.

How has that adjustment to indoor football been?

It’s been a big adjustment  – there are lots of restrictions. Less people, smaller field and you wear regular shows. It’s a high-paced, high-scoring game. A good defense in this league holds teams to 20 points- not like in the NFL or college where it’d be 10 or less.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety Gerod Holliman, 2015”

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers 1973 Draft Pick, Defensive Lineman Glen Nardi”

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”