First, what you are doing now with your time?
Well, I’m teaching criminal law right now here in West Palm Beach. And I’ve gotten involved in horse racing a bit. I’m paying more attention to my kids now. I always wanted to spend just eight to 10 years in Congress before I retired. I didn’t want to miss time with my kids when they were older – I wanted to see their football games and spend time with them. It’s a 180 degree change from Congress!
I was actually going to retire after eight years but stayed longer because I started moving up on some of the committees I sat on – plus I had two more years on the Intelligence Committee and wanted to stay on to wrap up the Russia investigation.
To add to that, the Republican party was changing. Unless you were willing to go on TV and say things that made me feel uncomfortable, you were considered a RINO and part of the problem. A lot of the older school Republicans left so it felt like a good time.
Much of your family leaned Democrat – any good-natured ribbing for being a Republican and did it cause any issues as well?
We definitely had two different philosophies on government and what have you, but we were all part of the same family and we were all raised the same way. We all wanted to maintain our grandfather’s legacy of the way you conduct yourself. We had our disagreements but nothing that caused us not to talk to each other. We were still family.
One good anecdote I can share. When Uncle Dan was Ambassador of Ireland I signed a letter that singled out an individual. This was in my first term in Congress. It was probably stupid of me to do and Dan called me and wanted me to apologize to her for doing it – and I did. That’s just an example of how we tried to do things the right way – that’s our legacy.
Unfortunately now in politics it’s way too much about throwing bombs and walking away. You may get some love from your base but is that the example you want to set?
How much did the Congressional baseball shooting affect you and your decision to leave politics – I know you were very close to that situation?
We are always aware of death threats – there’s not a congressperson who doesn’t get them. I was always watching out for people who seemed out of place around me. There are always unstable people who feel justified in behaving a certain way. With social media that makes it even easier – they say things to you they would never say in person. I’ve had people who said nasty things to me on social media come up to me and kiss my ass in person – and I’d be like, weren’t you that guy who said that nasty thing about me?
I have no idea what the situation was with the guy who shot at the team. I know he was living in a van near the field for days before it happened. I played first base and that day I told the manager I had to leave right at 7:00 am to take the kids to school. Normally I didn’t do that but it was their last day of school and I guess I wanted to let my wife sleep in.
I texted my wife at 7:05 telling her I was on my way, and at 7:09 Congressman Scalise was shot. The man who shot him was propped up by the fence behind third base right in line with first base – at 6’4″, 230 pounds, I likely would have been the next guy he shot. People say I had a guardian angel that day and I think they were right. I don’t think I changed from my baseball uniform that entire day.
But in terms of it affecting my decision to retire – I had already decided on retiring so it may have looked like it affected it due to the timing, but I already had my mind set on it.
Wha are your thoughts on how politics has further entered the sports realm – especially as it relates to the Steelers?
It’s an easy thing to say – I know many people want sports to be a refuge from the problems of life. I know I do at times.
When players use their platforms for political stances I understand why it upsets people. But at the same time, I try to look at the bigger picture and put myself in their shoes. Why are they doing it? For fame or are they sincere? It doesn’t bother me as much as it does a lot of Republicans. I served in the Army and my great uncle Tom – who I was named after – he died in World War II. But I still try and look at the bigger picture.
The problem I have with the way Kaepernik approached it was that I don’t think he ever explained to the public what he was looking to achieve in his stance. I know there is a 30 for 30 coming up on him – maybe he can use that as a way to bring people together.
I want us to evolve as a country – away from racism to a generation where racism isn’t the norm. Beyond the “N word” and the confederate flag.I worry we are just instilling a new generation of racism instead.
I just hope that when players use their platform to speak out about issues, it brings us together instead of splitting us apart. When Trump Tweets about not allowing the confederate flag for example bringing down NASCAR ratings – are you really wanting wanting to say that? That doesn’t bring people together.
I think about what Brees said – and Ed Reed’s response. This all isn’t helping. We know Brees is a decent guy – instead why aren’t we all listening and understanding what each other meant first instead of reacting?
As somebody with a law degree, I know we need to understand what it all means first. Players need to better understand what the flag means to some people and we need to understand better why they are kneeling. Instead it’s just one side hating the other for what they said instead of trying to understand it.
We’re definitely not there yet as a country. I worry it’s a powder keg waiting to happen – but I hope that this all moves us beyond traditional racism. I don’t know which direction it will go and that’s scary.
What about how it affects the Steelers?
I think Dan’s reputation speaks for itself with the Rooney Rule. When I heard people bad-mouthing the rule that upsets me – the intent was for it to work. When they proposed changes to it I heard Plaxico Burress really criticize it. I just didn’t understand that.
Why did that upset you?
On social media there’s no dialogue or understanding – it’s just people clapping back for likes. The changes were to help hiring from within – when you want to help the best way is to help by getting people who are employed promoted. It’s easier to hire from within – you know who they are and how they fit already. Rather than hiring from outside the organization and being unsure about the fit.
So when Plaxico was upset over the proposed changes, I wasn’t sure why. I appreciate that he spoke up – players aren’t just dumb jocks. But I want to understand where you are coming from. When you just throw out stuff it can seem, I don’t know – it just seems cheap.
I spoke with Jack McGinley who discussed his concern for family-owned teams due to the amount of money pouring into the league and of the power billionaire owners now have. What are your thoughts on how the Steelers can stay solid?
It’s inevitable – family-owned teams are having a harder and harder time for various reasons – the tax code, family dynamic….trying to get things from the first to the third generation is hard. And the number of people involved can make it difficult too.
It’s hard to pass your stake due to the tax code to the next generation. Some of the family has already sold it’s interests – that has started to happen. My family has been able to keep our small percentage. But every year we need more and more investors.
It’s unfortunate. The American dream of passing the business down to your family is hard to maintain. I take pride in saying this though – we have had our little tiffs as a family, but we have always gotten along. We all understand the lay of the land. Of course it helps we have six Super Bowls!
We were all raised to be down to Earth people – that has really helped too. My kids still make fun of my dad for driving a Subaru. I guess we all still have that North Side mentality.
What are your experiences with the team that stand out to you most?
The only job I ever had with the Steelers was as a ballboy during training camp. The coach I was assigned to was Tony Dungy. As a 15-year old, that was awesome.
How was Tony with you?
He was such a nice man. Players can be ruthless with a redheaded kid named Rooney. But he was very good to me.
I actually roomed with Merrill Hoge right before I went to Washington & Jefferson College – when he was having his big season. I used to work out with the Steelers tight ends when I was at Washington & Jefferson too – unfortunately, they didn’t have much to work with with me!
Any other memories?
One thing I remember. When I got out of the Army I was at a crossroads. I was a captain in the Army but wanted to give working for the Steelers once last try. I wrote a letter to Uncle Dan asking if there was any position I could work at for the Steelers. He wrote back that the only role I was suited for was his, and I wasn’t getting it!
I washed cars and made some extra money then too – washed Donnie Shell’s and Mike Mularkey’s cars.
And one last one. I remember once in the locker room, I asked Jack Lamber if he would sign my football. I asked him if he could make it out to Tom… but he interrupted me: “Don’t tell me how to sign a football!”
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