First, can you let us know what you are doing now with your time?

Now, I’m coaching and teaching kids and pros how to be better athletes. I’m coaching at my old high school as well – as an offensive coordinator and running backs coach.

I also went back to school at my old alma mater – Georgia Tech – to get my Masters in Business Administration.

As a coach – do you find yourself falling back on some of the things your coaches in Pittsburgh taught or said to you?

I catch myself saying some of the things Coach Tomlin used to say – he and Kirby Wilson. Little sayings, like “Iron sharpens iron” , “Finish!” and “Don’t worry about anyone else but ourselves.” Just stuff like that I catch myself saying a lot.

Stepping back – were you surprised to be drafted by the Steelers – how did you find out?

I was hanging out in my parents room, taking a nap when I got a call from a 412 area code. I wasn’t really expecting to hear from Pittsburgh – I never met with anyone there except Coach Tomlin at my pro day.

He called and told me he liked how hard I worked and to keep at it in Pittsburgh,

As a  parent of a child with ADHD, I know the ups and downs it can have. How did ADHD affect you? I know the medication rang some alarms at the combine…

It didn’t really affect me much. On the medication – the teams were told I was taking the medication so that wasn’t a big problem in the end.

For me, it was more about showing kids that they can be something and do well even with a learning disability. It didn’t mean they couldn’t do well in school and in life.  So it was good to be able to be a good example for that. It was harder when I was younger and didn’t know I had it. But later in life, once I knew it wasn’t a big deal.

Did anyone in Pittsburgh take you under their wing- on and off field – players or coaches? How did they help?

My cousin James Farrior. And Heath Miller weirdly – I followed him around everywhere he went. It was weird because he wasn’t at my position – but I just loved how he worked. How he brought a lunchbox attitude. We saw each other and spoke every day – he became a good friend too. Rashard Mendenhall too – I followed him around too and did whatever he told me to do.

Just with both of them, watching how they worked and prepared was a big help. They showed me that it was a business too – you had to treat the game that way and take care of yourself.

What was the biggest adjustment to the NFL game for you- on and off field?

The game speed was difficult at first, but once you get enough reps you get used to that. Getting your technique down was big. Technique just means so much more at the NFL level – everyone is so good. Your technique has to be on point.

How hard was it fighting for reps and getting in and out of the lineup like you were, especially after having some success? Did the coaches tell you why?

You get used to it. It just made me realize that I had to take advantage of every opportunity I got. It was motivation really. To take advantage of every chance you get. It was difficult at first.  They didn’t say anything to me about why I was going in and out of the lineup, but I learned to handle it myself. I just rolled with the punches and gave it everything I had when I got the ball.

Any fun/good memories you can share of your time in Pittsburgh?

The main thing was really just being with all of the guys. The friendships I made. I remember Deebo {James Harrison} coming in late to meetings and Tomlin asking him if he was ready to go and Deebo’s intimidating looks.

But guys like Ryan Clark, Deebo and Troy – he probably wasn’t the same guy fans thought they knew – he was a prankster! Just playing with those legends and building those friendships and connections. It stays with you forever.

Any specific ones come to mind though?

Well, my son being born in Pittsburgh! He loved the Steelers – he understands where he comes from. He’s a 412 kid even though he’s being raised in the South. He loved being a part of the Steelers family.

And some of the pranks and rookie singing we had to do. For Dick Lebeau, when he was voted into the Hall of Fame, all of the rookies had to sing a song for him – I think it was a Temptations’ song – “My Girl”.

And I’d play pranks on guys too – me,  Redman, Gilbert….I’d tell guys they were late for meetings when there really wasn’t any meeting – things like that.

What happened after 2012 when you were released? Did the team talk to you at all about why?

It was difficult because I had such close friendships with the guys I came in with and other guys – AB, Pouncey…But Bruce Arians was in Arizona and we were and still are close. It was like Pittsburgh West so that helped.

I still talk to Bruce Arians a lot – I call him a lot to pick his brain on ideas for our high school offense. As the offensive coordinator I’m always looking for new ideas.

What do you think of the state of the NFL today?

I really like that players have more of a voice now – they are speaking up about things – socially and about the players’ needs. I hope that helps change things. It’s important – I hope it helps change things for the better.

Has the NFL transition been difficult?  

Yes it was at first. It’s been a smooth transition now though. Now, it’s just about me being a dad more. I can drop my kids off and pick them up from school and not worry about being late for recitals and things like that. That has helped me with the transition.

You looking to get into the NFL as a coach any time soon?

It would be cool to get to coach in the NFL – but later on in life, when my kids are older. I don’t want to have to move around a lot and that happens a lot in the NFL.

Like to go back and coach in Pittsburgh?

That would be cool, yeah. To go back to Pittsburgh or even Arizona. To go back to Pittsburgh and coach there would be great for sure, Once a Steeler, always a Steeler!

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