First of all, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
I’ve been in medical sales for 10 years or so now. When my career ended in the early 2000’s I had to start fresh, trying to leverage the skillsets I learned from athletics. That led me to distribution and sales. Those require the same kind of teamwork, competitiveness, hard work and resiliency you find in sports.
My first big-boy job, so to speak, was working for Cardinal Health in Wisconsin. Then I worked for Pepsi before going into medical device sales.
I know a lot of athletes go into medical device sales. Why do you think that is?
I think the greatest skillset you need in sales is competitiveness. That’s something you have as an athlete and something you have to have in sales – to beat the competition – even your co-workers. You want to see your name as number one on the scoreboard.
Was the post-NFL transition difficult?
It was easier for me. I didn’t have a long career – I was there for a cup of coffee. A half cup! It’s not like I was a vested veteran. That made it easier for me than it was for some others.
How did you end up with the Steelers after playing at Pitt?
I grew up in Pittsburgh – I was a Pitt fan. I wasn’t the biggest, strongest or fastest guy. I used my brain as many biggest advantage and did a lot of film study starting at Pitt. Doug Whaley and David Sumner – I picked their brains.
I didn’t know what would happen at the time of the draft. A few teams reached out and said they would draft me but that didn’t happen. When the draft ended I turned my TV off, and about 30 minutes later Charles Bailey from the Steelers called and asked if I wanted to join the Steelers. I jumped at the chance – I didn’t get other offers.
Did anyone help you most once you got there?
That was the fascinating part. The Summer before they brought in Bo Orlando. They had Darren Perry and Carnell Lake and DeWayne Washington they also brought in. They all were seasoned vets – but they treated me like a seasoned vet as well. They expected my performance to be that way. That put pressure on me to perform and show out.
Bo got hurt early in camp and so I ended up being second-string behind Darren for a while.
What did those guys show you that helped you most?
A lot about tendencies – things like route trees. For instance, when Buffalo was in, say, a second and 9, if a guy lined up outside the numbers, they’d usually run an inside route. They watched film with me to help show me how to see those tendencies. They pointed them out to me. They’d stop the film and drill me and tested me on what I was seeing.
Was it helpful to be signed by the local team? I know some players felt there were too many distractions when it happened to them?
For me it was helpful – here’s why. Even in high school, I committed to myself that I wanted to work it out so that my father and grandmother could see me play. That was my main focus. My father and grandmother went to every game I played – my family meant a lot to me. Even during the recruiting process at Pitt I chose to stay close to my family. I told my father when I was six he was going to see me play at Pitt, and he did.
I didn’t go look at schools in California or Texas. I went to schools like Youngstown State and Akron. When Pitt gave me an offer I accepted and canceled every other visit.
Who at Pitt really helped get you ready for the NFL?
Tim Lewis was the secondary coach. His expectation level was high every day – day-in and day-out. He was like nobody else I played for. He wanted you to live up to his Pro Bowl, All American persona. When he coached me he was still built like a brick you-know-what. He looked like he could still play. He taught us how to be pros.
Any on-field memories stand out to you most with the Steelers?
I remember the first time I went out on the field with the starters. Bo hurt his hamstring and Perry was banged up. I was the only free safety practicing with the first string guys. I’ll tell you, that was the easiest I ever had it! Steed up front, Kirkland, Holmes, Edmunds…all those guys in front of you made life easy! Walking on the field for the Hall of Fame game against Tampa Bay with those guys too – that was a dream.
What about off the field – any memories stand out?
What comes to mind is how close that team was – the vets and rookies. It didn’t matter if you were a vet or rookie – we all went out together. We went out in groups – for beverages or dinner. We all did things together – I have fond memories of that.
There was no one guy who led it. It wasn’t like as rookies we came in scared or felt like we couldn’t open our mouths and say anything, It was an open environment – everyone could hang out together and say what was on their mind no matter how long they were there.
Anthony Griggs was a big part in that – he was the Director of Player Personnel and he was phenomenal. He organized things so the guys all were able to hang out together and was great at making sure new guys were welcomed.
Were there any matchups in practices you liked the most?
Our group of rookies – we wanted to be challenged by the vets. We didn’t go up against each other as much. Hines liked to go against Carnell and Darren. I liked to go against Mike Adams and Will Blackwell. We didn’t want to face other rookies – we wanted to be challenged and prove ourselves against the veterans.
What happened when you were released? What did they tell you?
We were all working out on the weight room when the reaper came. He came in and told me to grab my playbook. It kind of all went black from there. I knew something was coming. Tom Donohoe spoke to me – he was very professional. He thanked me for my time and effort and told me I lived just 11 miles away – that there was always a chance they would bring me back. That’s what happened – they brought me back several weeks later after someone got injured and I dressed for the game Sunday, then was released afterwards.
I wouldn’t change it for the world though. Obviously I would have liked to have played longer – like Tom Brady – into his 40’s! But it was an unforgettable experience.
Do you still watch the NFL and the Steelers today?
Absolutely – I watch every game. The game has changed due to the rules, but it’s still Steelers football. It is still two-yards and a cloud of dust, despite the fact the NFL is becoming a passing league. They are holding on to that old edge – but they are evolving. They have to because of the rule changes.
The game was more suited to me then than now. I wasn’t the biggest or fastest – definitely not the fastest free safety! The guys now are freakish – like Pickens. I couldn’t survive against these guys today! I was 4.5 on a good day – I liked to play that old style of safety – running downhill and cleaning up after the linebackers. Now these guys are too fast – I couldn’t keep up with those guys running up the field!
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