First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
So right now I’m working as a warehouse supervisor. I’m going to school though to get my nursing degree. It’s a family thing – my mother is an RN and my sister is a CSNA as well. We’re all taking classes together.
Was the post-football adjustment difficult?
I’d say that I was able to adjust perfectly fine to it. You have days when you watch games and think “I can still do that.” It stays in the back of your mind but injuries just caught up with me. As a running back you’re hit hard every play and get beat up.
I adjusted fine after football though. You have those thoughts – you wonder “What if. If I was healthy would I have gotten another shot?” But I was blessed to play for a great organization and score a touchdown on tv and be forever in the stat book!
What made you decide to sign with the Steelers as a free agent?
The tradition of the organization and their focus on the running game. They were a tough, hard-nosed running style of offense and that fit well for me. My agent and I talked and felt it was the right fit – the scheme was right for me. The cold weather and running the ball. The running back was the feature of their offense then and I liked that.
Did anyone help take you under their wing when you got there – on or off the field?
Some guys helped but I wouldn’t say anyone really took me under their wing. They were all cool with me but it was less about making friends and being buddy buddy with guys. Not many guys want to be friends with someone who may replace them.
Willie Colon and I – we walked and hung out some. I kept to myself a lot but he showed me where to go in the city. Isaac Redman helped too – what to do and the right direction to go.
What did they help you with most?
Mostly they both helped show me that I just needed to be myself. I put a lot of pressure on myself and messed up some of the little things I normally wouldn’t mess up on. They just helped me to relax and not to force things. They helped me to focus more on the details.
Any good memories from your time on the practice squad?
I has some good times going up against Ryan Clark and Troy, Woodley and Harrison.
One play I had to run a crack block on James Harrison. Obviously in practice the defense knows the play and what’s coming. James was waiting for me – I was able to get to him, but he was shorter than me. He got his shoulder underneath me and laid into me and cut me under my chin. I still have that scar!
I also remember when Troy came up to me in camp when I was on the sideline. He told me he knew me – that he saw what I did on the field and introduced himself to me. That made me feel good about myself. I was starstruck – this All Pro guy was my teammate now and that was something else.
And off course, your first play in, you score a 10-yard touchdown. Do you remember that feeling?
I have to say, when I got out there and I heard them call a run play, I had to replay that in my head. “Did I hear that right?” I knew I had to score a touchdown or I might not get another chance! I heard the play and I remember just focusing on doing the right footwork and the right cut at the right time.
Coming off the practice squad then scoring a touchdown on Christmas Eve – celebrating with my teammates and doing it all on tv with my parents watching was pretty amazing. Mike Wallace gave me the football and told me not to lose it – that it was my first one! They all hugged me and celebrated with me.
What happened after that season?
That next season Mendenhall tore his ACL. I was in the conversation to be the backup – probably behind Isaac Redman. Camp was going well then I pulled my groin. I wanted to stay out there though to show I could play. I couldn’t sit and let myself get replaced or passed up.
I started feeling better but then I tore my quad – it ripped to the bone. That was the end of my season. After that I ended up going to the Bengals. I was in mini-camp there and the coaches asked me to run another play. It was a stretch play and when I cut I planted my foot and my knee gave out. I fell to the ground but I was able to get up and run off the field after. I figured it was an ACL sprain – nothing too major. Maybe I’d be out three-to-four weeks.
Well the next morning my knee blew up and I went in and the doctor drained it and told me my season was over – that I tore my ACL. I asked myself then “What did I do to get this karma? Did I hurt someone and now I’m saying for it?”
What did you think after all that happened?
After that I had a couple of looks but nothing major. Being a running back you have a short shelf-life. Especially after injuries.
I never got another opportunity to come back and play after that. I guess God had a different plan for me. Maybe nursing is my calling. I still see some guys playing and think “What if.” But I’m blessed. I’m walking and have my health. I played for a great organization with great teammates and coaches. I’m thankful for all that I did have. Not many can say they had a dream job and scored a touchdown on tv and is in a video game!
What do you think of the way the game has changed today – especially how the running back position has been affected?
It’s crazy – depending on the team and conference you’re either a passing down running back or a true running back. But either way there aren’t many teams that use one featured back anymore. It’s usually multi-back offenses.
Any last thoughts on your time in the NFL?
I’m just thankful for the ride I did have and to have played with such a special group. My one regret is not taking a lot of pictures with my teammates. I talked to Troy when I was there about getting a picture with him but I never got it! I enjoyed being in the moment there too though.
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