First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time playing football?
I played with a couple of teams after Pittsburgh than retired in ’97. I’ve since taught firearms and been involved in executive protection and have been a stuntman for shows like SpiderMan Live.
I’ve been living in Las Vegas – I’ve done six-to-seven movies as a stunt driver and 10-to-12 TV shows as a featured extra and have done some stagehand work as well. So I’m just being a regular Joe out here in Vegas!
Looking back, how did you first end up in Pittsburgh in ’91?
I was cut by the Chargers. I wasn’t in Pittsburgh long. They brought me in after another offensive lineman had issues with steroids and was in the middle of filing their grievance. They liked me and I was on track to start when one day we were all practicing and joking around and Chuck Noll walked by and saw me joking around. He wasn’t happy – he talked to Dick Haley and told him to let me go, and I was done.
Did he say anything to you?
No – he talked to Dick Haley who asked him if he was sure. That I was on track to start. Evidently Chuck told him I wasn’t – that I didn’t work there any more.
I spoke with Dick – I told him he was crazy – I wasn’t bragging, but that I was about to start and was one of the best linemen there at the time and that they screwed up. But that’s what Chuck wanted – I had no idea he was so sensitive.
Why do you think they brought you in?
I was a big guy and ran a 4.9 40. I could play all the offensive line positions – I was tall enough to play tackle, had quick enough feet and long arms to play guard and was smart enough to play center. So I think being able to play every position on the line was a big deal for them.
Did you get close with any of the guys – did any help mentor you or give you help on how to adjust to the team?
Tunch did – Strelczyk too. He helped me with technique and plays. I didn’t know their run offense – pass pro is pretty much the same. But running plays and hot reads are much harder to learn. I was there for three days when in the fourth quarter of a game Dermontti Dawson got hurt and they yelled “Withycombe – get in there!” I was like “What? Me?” But I held my own and didn’t do anything wrong.
I really enjoyed my time there. I wanted to stay longer – I just had no idea Noll was so sensitive. I wasn’t happy. He could have said something to me – maybe fined me – instead of just getting rid of me. I was like “What the hell?” when they told me.
Who were the guys you remember most there?
I was impressed with Tunch. When I got there he wasn’t as big as I thought he’d be for an All Pro guard. But he told me he was taking Karate and showed me some of his technique. I was like “Wow.” I wanted to go with him and learn that. But I got cut.
I remember we had played the Eagles and Reggie White. Tunch just rag-dolled White all game – I never saw anyone do that. It was a clinic – unbelievable.
I wasn’t there so long to form a lot of bonds. Jugger – Strelczyk – he and I hung out. I remember that full beard and him coming in all dressed in leather because he rode his bike to work.
Tell me what you remember about Justin?
He had a great attitude. He was funny and kept things light. I was disappointed with football at the NFL level. Too many people forgot it was a game and was supposed to also be fun. They got so wrapped up in trying to win that they just became people. Justin helped make it fun.
My dad gave me the best – and worst – advice after my first year in the NFL. I couldn’t believe the difference between college and the NFL. The negativity in coaching – in college it was all about building you up, but in the NFL it was all negative – about breaking you down. All the screaming at you: “How can you do this or that so badly! Why did you make such a stupid mistake – what the hell is wrong with you!” I just went on and on talking to my dad about it when I finally stopped to take a breath. My dad just listened the whole time and when I finally stopped, he said to me.” At least no one is shooting at you.”
The next year I started having more fun. I made it a point to laugh and joke around more. They’d yell at me “Withycombe what’s your problem! What’s so funny!” But here we are getting paid to play a kid’s game – getting paid well. It’s a beautiful day. Why can’t we also have fun while we’re doing this?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask you about the story involving kilts and saving a neighbor…? What happened on that night?
Well, I just moved into an apartment in downtown Las Vegas. My neighbor had a 16-year old daughter who was just a beautiful kid – she could have been a model. Well, one day a guy followed her home from CVS and was lurking in the alley next to the apartment. They called the cops on the guy but they didn’t do anything to the guy.
So, about three a.m. I heard my landlady screaming at the top of her lungs. I have four kilts I own – I’m Scottish, and let’s just say I like how they feel – I like the breeze! I put one on and quickly ran outside. The guy was trying to bang the door down of the woman – trying to break in. I went out and put my hand on his shoulder to try and steer him away from the door. I knew what he was going to do – he turned around and tried to take a swing at me so I jacked him up three times in the face and grabbed him by his hood and threw him down and held him there.
He was so bad ass – yelling at me that he was going to kill me. I had him subdued but he kept on fighting me. I put a choke hold on him then and he started screaming for help after that. He woke up with the police putting handcuffs on him.
I didn’t know it at the time, but evidently he told the woman that he was going to kill her and take her daughter. I have two sisters – I can’t imagine how she must have felt.
How was the post-NFL adjustment for you in general?
It was rough. You’re inside a bubble when you’re in the NFL. It’s the red carpet treatment. Unless you’re a superstar though, once you’re out, no one gives a shit about you anymore. They just don’t.
I spent my entire life playing and practicing football instead of spending time learning another trade. I was a drama major in college. It was a rough transition from being the man to not knowing what’s next.
I don’t really talk to anyone now that I played football with. I bounced around a lot and made few connections. But to be honest when I walked away from the game, I was done with it. I was tired of all of the negative attitudes. It was awful – so many were just miserable. I didn’t even watch games for years – I just started watching games again two or three years ago.
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