First, what’s gong on with you now – what’s next for you?
Well I’m a full-time dad right now – I have a one-and-a-half year old so I’m chasing him around a lot. I was playing in the XFL when it folded due to Covid. Now it has a new owner so I’m not sure what’s going on with that. I’m staying ready for the NFL – staying in shape.
I’d really like to go back to the NFL. The XFL was great – it was great competition and a lot of fun. It made me like football again. But these new leagues are tricky – they are tough. I played for the AAF before it folded too – it didn’t make it either. I don’t want to get caught up in another thing that doesn’t work out.
Any inquiries so far?
There were a lot of people inquiring but they just opened camps for workouts. You couldn’t go work out before due to Covid. So hopefully now people will have me come in and see if I’m in shape and get a good look at me.
You signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2016 – why Pittsburgh?
A couple of teams reached out to me but Pittsburgh had that historic reputation – it seemed like the right place to get in and get after it. I don’t think that anyone thought I’d be there long but i made it that year. I think my work ethic and my desire to get after it helped me stick around. They had great coaches and they had been good for like, ever, so that inspired me.
Was the 3-4 a big adjustment for you – especially coming from a small school like Mars Hill?
It wasn’t that complicated really. There were a lot of veterans guys that helped – made you get into the playbook and know what you were doing.
Coach Mitchell made sure you knew the playbook as a rookie – if you didn’t you didn’t stick around long. I played for a small school but it was the same ;process for everyone. Pittsburgh made sure they had guys that knew the system, As a small school guy, I felt I had an edge. I knew I had to work harder than the guys from bigger schools. I had less respect because of that and that made me work harder.
Were there other Mars Hills guys in the NFL that helped you?
Denzelle Good – he’s in Oakland now. And Marquis Williams played three years at Mars Hill before transferring to Miami. I worked out with Denzelle this Summer, and Marquis was in the NFL with me – he’s in the same situation as me.
Who were the guys that really helped you in Pittsburgh to learn the system?
Cam – he was pretty helpful. I came in with Hargrave and they wanted to be sure we would be ready when our number was called. They made sure we took notes and paid close attention in meetings. It was just the culture there – it changed me into the kind of player they wanted you to be.
Coach Mitchell – he expected a lot. He told us he had his starters – if we were going to make the team we’d have to find out how – on special teams or on the defensive line. I just took any opportunity I had and ran with it. He demanded perfection – he coached hard. I liked that – tough coaches always brought out the best in me.
You got some significant playing time as a rookie – how did that happen?
Cam tore his pec – that’s how the league goes. Injuries give guys opportunities sometimes. Those go to those who apply themselves and who know the playbook. I watched and learned when I was on the practice squad. I applied myself and copied what the starters did. I watched Cam and saw him kick the butt of the guys he lined up against and tried to do exactly what he did to make plays.
What memories stand out to you most there from that season?
The first real big play I made was in Cleveland. It was the game after we clinched the playoffs by beating Baltimore. I got that moment where I knew I could play in the league and earn the respect of the team. I ddi that versus Baltimore as well – I don’t think they expected a DII undrafted free agent rookie to play. I think I played well. I had my first TFL (tackle for loss) in my career. That’s something I’ll always remember.
What I remember most about the team was that it was just real family-oriented. When you’re not playing that’s something you think a lot about. It’s a brotherhood. A fraternity. You miss that. The people I was close with – I still talk to some o those guys. You develop friendships with them and miss that.
How did the team change it’s approach when it got to the playoffs?
It didn’t change really. It was the same approach – there wasn’t much they needed to change. I got to play in the Miami game in the playoffs. But they treated every game like it was just the next step to the Super Bowl. They expected to be there. Unfortunately we lost to the Patriots – it didn’t work out.
What happened that second season – numbers game?
It was a numbers game yeah, but I had an opportunity.
My second year I had a lot going on in my personal life – it took my mind off of football. I had a few deaths in my family – it steered me away from football even though football helped me out so much in life otherwise.
When I got to Tennessee my best friend died – that affected me even more. People don’t realize that athletes are still human beings. Things don’t always go as planned. If I went to Pittsburgh again it’d be like a do-over. A lot of athletes hate fantasy football for the same reason – we’re human beings not just numbers. We go through things too. I just want the chance to prove myself again.
So if Pittsburgh calls again?
I don’t know – I just want to get a call from somebody. I’d take it and run if it were from Pittsburgh – I enjoyed my time there.
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