First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days and how hard was the post-NFL adjustment for you?
I’ve been in management – a lot of leadership and management in the jobs I’ve had. I was a manager then general manager at Ashley Home Stores then at Geico.
I’m not gonna lie. It wasn’t something I just rolled into, life after football. I played football since I was six years old. Some say you graduate and get your degree and you have it all mapped out from there and planned out, but my mindset was football. I didn’t think about tomorrow. There wasn’t a fairy tale ending after football to the nine-to-five life.
What helped you with the adjustment?
Honestly – what helped is what I learned playing football. That mindset that you have to continue to keep working and driving. When you play football you run 100 yards, not 50 – you don’t stop. It was just like that for me after football. You find a purpose and keep working and driving.
Why did you sign with Pittsburgh as a free agent out of Arkansas State?
I didn’t know Pittsburgh was interested before the draft. New England called near the end of the draft saying they would either draft me or sign me as a top priority free agent. But Pittsburgh called then – and I was a Pittsburgh fan since I was a kid – I never liked Dallas. So I had a choice between New England and Pittsburgh and I jumped at the chance to sign with Pittsburgh.
They called me after the draft and told me to come in and prove myself. That I should do what they saw me do on film – hustle and grind and stay active all the time. That’s what I did when I got there.
Did anyone take you under their wing when you got there and help you adjust to the NFL?
Rod Woodson and Delton Hall – I got close with both of those guys. Lupe Sanchez too and Larry Griffin. And Dwayne Woodruff was the senior of the group. He took us all under his wing. They taught me a lot – they all knew their role there so I was happy they weren’t afraid to show me the ropes.
They showed me how to adjust to the speed of the game. It changes so much from college to the NFL. They taught me to study film – that helps with that adjustment. There are so many guys in the NFL who are talented – there are only a few All-Pro type players. You have to find what makes you shine and stand out. For me that was my hustle and my love of running. I was an Arkansas kid – I chased rabbits and chickens growing up. I never stopped and that was what helped me shine.
Any good memories that stand out to you of your time there?
There are so many but one that stands out was on the practice field – it was for me the turning point of my rookie year. It was a moment that told me I needed to get down to business. I was the top dog at Arkansas State, but there everyone was at a whole different level.
We were on the sidelines during one-on-one drills and Rod and I were laughing together, talking. Louis Lipps was waiting for his rep and he signaled to Bubby {Brister} to run the play. Bubby did and Louis took off as Rod was talking to me. Well, Rod turned around and said “Excuse me” and ran after Lipps and ended up intercepting the pass. That’s when I saw things were at a whole different level!
And a funny story I told my wife. It’s a crazy one that I still laugh about, When I was a rookie another player took me to a strip club. I had never been to one before – I had no idea what they were about. Well, a woman came up to me and asked if she could dance for me and I said “Sure, dance. Whatever!” That happened a few times – I didn’t understand why they were asking me if they could dance – I didn’t care if they wanted to dance or not! Well, the next thing I know, at the end of the night, I get a $500 bill! I had no idea what was happening!
Any other funny moments?
Delton and Rod were the comedians of the group – Gowdy too. They’d take equipment from me before practice and I’d be running around looking for it in the locker room while Chuck Noll looked at me shaking his head!
What enabled you to make the team as an undrafted rookie?
I wanted to prove I belonged, coming from a smaller school. I knew I could play with anybody. Those guys taught me to never give up – to keep fighting. Once I got the playbook down the game slowed down for me.
That was the year Art Rooney passed away. Did you have a chance to meet Art – and how did he impact you?
I think we all felt his passing. Everything there was new to me as a rookie. I remember going and getting my paycheck during preseason – each check was $500. After I made the team I went and got my check and I noticed a number of extra zeroes there. I ran back to the office and told Art they made a mistake. He pulled me aside and said “No young man, you earned this. This is what you get for all the hard work that got you here today.” That motivated me and meant more to me than that paycheck.
What happened after that ’88 season?
I went up against guys like Lofton, Green, Rice and intercepted passes from Pro Bowl quarterbacks and made some plays on special teams. The next season though when I came back my drive for football felt depleted. Maybe because I felt I had made the team, but I think moreso because of the business of the game. That rookie season I built relationships with guys that were later cut – I wasn’t ready for that. They told me I had a better camp than the prior season, but I was mentally tired. I think I was just mentally fried from the business-side of the game – the toll that took on me. I wasn’t ready for it.
In the end they congratulated me on the camp I had but told me it was a numbers game.
Do you still watch the game today? What are your thoughts on how it has changed?
I’m still a Steelers fan, yes – I’m still part of Steelers nation. I think back then football players played because they loved the game first and foremost. Now I think players play the game but love things outside of football more. They still play and like the game but it’s just not the top priority for a lot of these guys like it was then.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
