First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?
After I was done playing, I went back to Notre Dame and got my Bachelors. I met my wife – she was in San Antonio getting her degree, so I moved down there with her and we got married and had kids.
She’s in education and wanted me to get into education too. I got in there and have been doing that for five years now. I started off as a PE Aide and am now coaching at Kitty Hawk Middle School.
Something I ask a lot of players who went on to coach – were there coaches you played for that most impacted how you coach? How so?
My two high school coaches – Jack and Tracy Welch. They were just down here recently – they are part owners now of the San Antonio Caballeros.
They influenced my career and life in general. They were father figures and mentors – they showed me how to do things the right way – to have the right work ethic. They had just come from college to coach high school and ran the high school program like a college one. That had me well-prepared for college. I took those attributes into my daily life. It’s always “Yes Sir, No Sir, Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am.” It showed me how to present myself in the right light.
That sticks with me. I keep my head held high not just because of football experiences. As a small town guy a lot of people know you from playing football, but I know I can get a job because of my character, not just because I played football.
You started off as a terrific running back going into Notre Dame. Why the position switch and how did you pull it off?
My first few weeks were with the running backs, but a few guys in the secondary got hurt and they just asked me to play defensive back. I just wanted to be on the field – I thought that would bring some better opportunities for me.
It was an easy transition to corner. I think I had the natural instincts and athleticism and just wanted to be on the field.
You played for a number of teams over a short stretch of time – how tough is that for a player logistically and mentally?
The logistics are mostly managed by the team – if they want you they’ll bring you in and take care of the logistics.
Emotionally – I was so engulfed in the X’s and O’s and learning the playbook. The defense and jargon. My focus was on just learning those things and my work ethic. Just wanting to be out there – that’s what I was striving for.
Were there guys who took you under their wing when you got to the NFL? How so?
In Houston a guy you’re hearing a lot about – Aaron Glenn. He showed me how to be a pro – how to do extra work after practice – things like that.
In Pittsburgh, me and Joey Porter clicked well. Just hanging out outside of football.
As a practice squad guy, you’re there learning the ropes. You see guys come and leave and you think “I’m still here.” At the end of the 2004 season right before the last game my agent called me and told me the Rams wanted to sign me to their active roster. They were fighting for a playoff spot. I could have signed with them but they probably would have cut me the following week. I decided that staying in Pittsburgh provided me with a great long-term opportunity.
After the season was over the Steelers didn’t talk to me about going to play in NFL Europe. They told me they wanted me to come in to camp next season and try to make the roster.
Who were some of the fun practice squad matchups?
Hines Ward – everything you see about him always smiling – that’s who he is. I just saw him recently at a coaching school here in Texas. He and Plaxico Burress. Plaxico’s size and length made him tough – trying to hold him on the line was difficult.
I feel like the defensive back room was well-rounded. Ike went to school with Charles Tillman who was a friend of mine – so we had that connection there.
Any memories that stand out most from your time there?
Troy Polamalu – he was just one of those guys that are the coolest, calmest guys off the field and when they are on the field it’s like a beast was unleashed. I remember that about him.
Bill Cowher – on the field he was yelling and grabbing guys, spit flying. But off the field he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. He was a great player’s coach.
I also remember picking off Big Ben in practice a couple of times in practice!
It was a different type of organization. You could see the Rooney family strung throughout the organization. The guys were like a family – it wasn’t just a business to everyone.
For me – it all gelled together when we went to the playoffs. As a practice squad player we didn’t get bonus checks for playoff games. But the defensive backs all put some money together and gave me what amounted to a bonus check for the playoff games. That’s what kind of team it was.
Do you like the way the game has changed today?
It’s a hard question but I can say I do as far as guys having the opportunity to make money – life-changing money.
As a defensive player a lot of the calls I see now are ticky-tacky. Look, when Tom Brady says a defensive penalty shouldn’t be called you know its not good! I think mentally it plays on the refs – they throw flags just in case now because they know many can just be reviewed.
But I like where it’s at now. I still love watching football and working with youth. I want more kids involved in football again. A lot have left over the years – I think parents see the injuries and don’t want their kids to play and get hurt. That’s why I think the rule changes have helped. I think the game is in a great place – of course there are always things you can tweak.
I want to see more kids involved in all sports. I’m seeing the push for flag football for girls and I love that too.