First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?
After I was done playing I got into medical device sales. I’m selling neuro-modulation devices – nerve stimulators. I started because of Matt Kranchick – he asked if I could help him and I said sure – that was the start for me.
Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult?
It wasn’t difficult no. My mindset was to get to the NFL and play but I was also realistic that I wasn’t going to be a 10-to-15 year player. I knew another career was going to be needed – that I was going to have to do something else to make money.
It was difficult to leave the locker room – the guys you play with. But the transition to the real world wasn’t as hard – I went to the NFL transition programs and those helped. So it wasn’t terribly difficult.
How did you end up with the Steelers after the draft – why them?
I grew up hating the Steelers – I was from Youngstown, Ohio. I was a Browns fan. My wife loved the Steelers. I think over 60% of the people from Youngstown were probably Steelers fans. But it was close to home and they only had two tight ends on the roster at the time – Heath Miller and Jerame Tuman. I felt that gave me a good chance to make it. They drafted a tight end – Charles Davis – and I thought I compared well with him.
Did any of those guys take you under their wing at all and help you?
Heath was awesome. Jerame was great too but he got hurt in camp and wasn’t around as much. Heath was a great dude – he never passed up a chance to help. At that time it was really three rookies and Heath.
With Heath it wasn’t as much anything he said. He was in his second year only and here were three rookies trying to take his job. But at no point did he not lead us in the right direction. Some guys may have tried to sabotage players. That’s what I took with me throughout my career – to do the right thing and help others.
What stands out most to you of your time there?
Cut day. That was the most impactful day I ever experienced in my career. I graduated with 95 kids from Penn State. I was always the kid that was picked early to play. I was the biggest guy and got picked early. To be released when I felt like I did everything possible to be on the team – when I felt I deserved to be on the team – that was difficult.
Why they chose to cut me I don’t know. I think they just needed a veteran tight end when Tuman got hurt.
Any other memories stand out?
One of the most distinctive memories was a drill we did where the tight ends would stand in the backfield – pass protection practice. It was my turn and they were deciding on whether to send James Harrison or another linebacker to blitz, and I was thinking “Please don’t be Harrison!” But they sent Harrison and I gave him a good pop, but he was so low and strong, he just picked me up and set me down. He was just a ball of muscle.
I also remember when Ben {Roethlisberger} gave me his pads and helmet before we went to the field for practice. He told me to put them on. He and I were about the same size and looked alike. He wore my pads and ran to the field first, and I wore his. He just wanted a break from the fans! When the fans all yelled at me I took my helmet off as I ran to the field and when they saw me they just went “Awww…”
A year later I was with the Jaguars – I was on their active roster and we went through the tunnel to the field. On my way Kevin Colbert stopped me – we were walking out at the same time. He told me that he wanted me to know something. That when they let me go he felt like it was the wrong decision – that I deserved to make the roster. That meant a lot to me- I was working with the two’s there when I was de-elevated so quickly. I’m a strong believer in God – I do think that was His way of helping me re-dedicate my life to Christ. I thought my career was over. When I fell back more into my faith, my career restarted.
What are your thoughts on the way the game has changed since you played?
A lot of it I hate. I don’t like how you can’t do anything. I’m an offensive guy but the way the NFL has hamstrung defenses is awful. If an offensive player lowers his head and a defensive player hits him in the helmet, he gets thrown out. I understand safety first, but it’s a violent game. If you didn’t sign up for that maybe you should get out.
I do love on the tight end side how they are utilizing tight ends now. It’s steadily increased and I love the recognition tight ends are getting now.
Before I let you go – any other good memories for you?
Check me on this but the touchdown I caught from Charlie Batch in that first preseason game versus the Cardinals – I think that was the first touchdown in that stadium. That was a big deal to me.
I wouldn’t change my time there for anything. I rooted for the Steelers for six months and now I root for the Jaguars. Now my wife hates the Steelers worse than me! It’s funny – you see them cut guys in football movies – and it was just like that for me. I got the call that the coach wanted to see me in his office, and to bring my playbook. It wasn’t just in the movies!