First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since your time in the NFL?
I’m an Athletic Director now at a middle school and high school. We’ve started a new school and are in year three here. This is the first year of sports – we have a number of different sports teams we’re launching, so I’m excited about that.
How difficult was that post-NFL adjustment and how did you come about that direction?
It’s something I always wanted to do. Growing up I had a good mentor who was an athletic director where I played. What he did for me was great – he was a mentor for me and I wanted to be that same kind of voice for kids.
The opportunity came so fast and at such a young age for me. I was still interested in playing football but to get that kind of opportunity…I spoke to my wife and family and decided to take the opportunity.
Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult? What helped?
The main thing is, when sports is your whole life it’s hard to change so abruptly. When you’re in college that’s when you start noticing kids looking up to you. You go out in the community and give speeches and talk to kids. That stuff grew on me more and more. And the coaches I had all helped motivate me too.
Now, it’s a great feeling being able to show kids that their dreams are achievable – not just for football, but for anything in life. They can look at me and see someone who’s at least been there.
Did any particular coaches help you when you played – how so?
Kirby Wilson helped give me an opportunity early – day one. I just got there and he held me accountable – he let me earn my keep. He gave me an opportunity to show what I could do – the other teams I played for – Indianapolis, Chicago – they never gave me a chance.
How did you end up in Pittsburgh as a free agent?
It’s a funny story. I was working out in the gym after being cut by Chicago when the Colts called me. Right as I picked up the phone the Steelers called me. They both ended up giving me the same offer but Indianapolis called first and had sent me tickets and told me to fly out that day, so I went with them at first.
Later on after I was released Pittsburgh called again and I said “Let’s do it!” It was the greatest opportunity I was given. I got the opportunity to play. I never got in a game with the Colts all preseason but they liked me enough to put me on their practice squad. In Pittsburgh I was put in games and actually got a chance to play.
My first game I was in there with Ben because some guys like Isaac Redman were banged up and made some key blocks. I remember Ben telling me “Great block 39!”
I knew I could run the ball – most guys at the NFL level can run the ball well. But I figured if I could show I could block and work hard on special teams that would help.
I guess it did – they kept me that year and re-signed me for the following season. Unfortunately I tore my groin in the offseason.
Any good stories of your time there?
One crazy story. When I was with the Colts Kashif Moore and Isaiah Green were there. All three of us ended up in Pittsburgh. Isaiah first, then when I went for the workout in Pittsburgh I saw Kashif there. We were reunited in Pittsburgh for that season. It’s rare how the NFL gets people from all over together like that.
I used to joke with Isaiah. I played against him in a bowl game my Junior year in college. I broke a 60-yard run against his team and remember him being one of the guys trying to chase me down.
What was the experience like for you when you arrived in Pittsburgh?
When I got there there were still legends on that team. Ike, Troy, Keisel, Ryan Clark. It was a blessing to be able to be there when I was. The legacy was still there, and to be able to walk in that locker room with that lineage – with those guys and a great coach like Mike T. – it was a blessing.
What helped you to stand out and make the team?
I worked hard in practice – I think they all saw that and let me know that was how things were done there. They were all down to earth. It was a tight-knit group and they accepted me right away even though I got there late and was a free agent – that was great.
I tell everyone now – I didn’t have a team I rooted for before. But Pittsburgh is my team now – they are the ones that gave me a real opportunity.
What helped you most to get that chance?
Learning the system. You have to know what you are doing if you want to do well. A lot of guys some in and don’t know what they are doing – they don’t study the playbook enough. Coach Wilson made sure I was in the playbook. Many don’t take the time. But when I got there Kirby did – and Willie Parker was there assisting him at the time. He helped me to learn the system and the playbook – he gave me some good advice. I was thinking “Are you serious? Willie Parker is helping little old me? This undrafted free agent?” But it was a huge help and I was very grateful.
When I got there, because again some of the guys were banged up. I ended up playing two days after I got there.
What happened after that season?
I was injured. Right at the end of the offseason I hurt my groin in practice. The team told me to take my time. When I got back I felt better but I wasn’t 100%, so I started on the PUP list. But Le’Veon and other guys were hurt – all they had really was Dri Archer – so they had to bring other guys in and I was the guy that they needed to let go to make room. I was waived injured.
Kevin Colbert told me he still wanted to keep the opportunity for me to come back open. I was going to talk to him about putting me on IR rather than cutting me. I wanted to stay in Pittsburgh. But my agent told me he thought other teams had interest and I just needed to take a couple of weeks off and I’d be ok. I went with the agent’s vibe even though I knew I needed more time. Speed was a big part of my game and I felt I needed more time to rehab. But I listened to my agent.
That’s why I cut ties in the end with my agent. I should have gone to the Steelers and asked to be put on IR and at least tried to make that happen first.
Any other thoughts on your time there?
Just coming in so late and getting to play two days after getting there. Getting a chance to show what I could do and seeing them having me take more reps on special teams. The writing was on the wall for me to get more chances if not for the injury. Getting that injury just really sucked.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
