First off, what are you up to now?
I’m blessed – I’m a husband and father – life is different now. We relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina and I’m doing different things here work-wise.
I have the non -profit thing going on with my brothers – My Brother’s Keeper. We’re doing different events in the Danville, Virginia are where we’re from and have branched out to other areas where we’ve played as well. We’re in the process of opening up an after-school program in January, 2026 so we’re excited about that.
Outside of that I am also working with Pro Athlete Community – PAC – where we help pro athletes transition from professional sports to life after sports. That’s been wonderful.
I’ve spoken to a number of players who struggle with life after football. How do you work with athletes who don’t want to plan for life after football while they are still playing – feeling like that means they are already planning to fail?
That’s a great point and I agree with both sides really. It’s critical after football to not be idle a whole lot. Guys see problems when they do that. Most people who played sports professionally played since elementary school and retire at 30 or so. They spent half of their life doing one thing. But people retire from their careers normally at 70 or so. So they have to figure out what to do now for the rest of their life. I think it’s necessary to take a break after playing, but then you have to figure out what you’re good at.
I know you were a multi-sport athlete who really loved basketball- how did that help you and why did you end up choosing football?
I’m an advocate for playing multiple sports – that gives you the best chance to express yourself. It also helps you to train different parts of your body. As a kid I don’t think you need to specialize in one sport. And your body changes – all of the sudden you grow six inches and gain 50 pounds! That changes everything!
I think kids should maximize their palette and try different things. Sometimes you don’t think you’ll be good at something then realize you have more talent doing it after all.
For my journey – I always say football chose me. Basketball was my heart – my first love. I loved track too. But I stopped growing and gained muscle mass – I had to respect my calling to play football then!
Why did you decide to sign with the Steelers after playing for New Orleans?
Legacy. Culture. Identity. Those three words. Who wouldn’t want to play for them? I got a call from Mike Tomlin – he was another Virginia guy and I watched his journey to achieve what he did. I thought that was great. My brother was there too which was a big plus.
Was it harder or easier with your brother on your team to have your own identity/story?
I get asked that a lot and looking back I think it helped me more than it made things difficult. In college we weren’t together as much – it was different. In the NFL we lived together – we were in the same space together. We talked a lot about what we saw on the field and in practice. We grew up close and were able to help each other out
I know the story of your father’s on-field NFL accomplishments and your siblings – what did your parents do or not do that helped you all most?
My parents let us make our own decisions – to decide on our own path. It’s wrong to push your kids and my parents didn’t do that. They introduced us to all sports at a young age. My father actually sat me down at an early age and asked me if football was something I was serious about pursuing. It was a serious, heartfelt conversation. If I was he let me know it took a lot of work and sacrifice. I knew then how serious it was. I understood what it took just to get a shot. My parents were on the same page on how they communicated that to us – I was blessed that way.
What caught the team’s eyes to help make the team?
It was a good running back room. When I decided to come to the Steelers Bell was still technically on the roster. I think my versatility to play on special teams helped me – I proved that I could play on special teams in New Orleans.
In Pittsburgh I showed that I could pick things up quickly – I knew what to do and was a high energy guy. A good locker room guy – I wasn’t afraid to tell guys what they needed to do well and to get excited for guys as well.
Did you have any mentors in Pittsburgh that helped you? How so?
There were a lot of good guys in the running back room. Most of the guys were young though – they were figuring things out like I was. Stevan Ridley provided some great perspective as a vet. Rosie Nix was a year or two older and he helped too.
Joe Haden was the one that brought me under his wing though. He was a defensive back but he showed me how to be a pro. How to work hard – like Pouncey. Even though Pouncey was who he was – he was still the first one in the building every day. I watched them and saw how they navigated spaces and wanted to be like them.
What was it like getting called up and being active? How did you find out?
It was a dream come true. All that work towards that paid off – it was a beautiful feeling. It showed that all of that hard work didn’t go unnoticed. I had to come prepared and once I was called up I never wanted to go back down again.
I had an idea it may happen during practice. Things started to switch – the coaches started to talk to me more and my reps started to increase. Then Ben and Cam started talking to me more about the game plan. I thought “This could be real!”
What are some of the memories that stand out most to you over your career?
I think playing against my brother in Buffalo – we played them three years in a row. Those were good battles. In 2019 – that first time – that was the best moment – to have all three of us on the field at the same time. That was the best feeling – if my career ended then I couldn’t have asked for more.
Also – another good memory was the interception I got versus the Rams. I’m sure I’m one of just a handful of running backs to get an interception! It was on special teams when they ran a fake punt. We rehearsed it – we knew they may run it and they did – we were prepared.
Danny Smith must have been all over you after that!
Danny was the best! He smothered me after that, yeah! He was always reassuring me that I was supposed to be there. He was terrific.
Any funny moments stand out? Pranks?
Anything with Cam! But I never did any pranks – I didn’t dish them out because I didn’t like to take it! The rookies always had practical jokes played on them but they honored the fact that I wasn’t a rookie when I got to Pittsburgh – and I wasn’t in a position as a second-year guy to be pranking anyone yet!
Lastly – any advice as a free agent who made it on how to do so for others?
Control what you can control and don’t focus on the other stuff. You have to understand that it’s a business – but you can do some things to affect those business decisions teams make. Exhaust all you can to make it and stay in the league.
And – don’t forget to live in the moment too. Make memories and capture them – take pictures and videos to remember those times with.