First off, what are you up to now since your playing days?
I’m working in the sheriff’s office now in Alachua County as the deputy there- I’m also on the bomb squad there. Besides that I’m enjoying life and watching my son grow up.
What made you decide to go into law enforcement and how did playing ball help you as a deputy?
I got my college degree in Sociology – I always wanted to go into law enforcement. It’s a challenging career and everlasting learning. I wanted to get my Masters in Criminology in college but I wanted to pursue ball first.
I’d say playing ball has helped. You learn to adapt quickly, understand teamwork and the important of comradery. Those are things you need to have. You need to be quick on your feet playing football – you never know what will happen in a play. Plays don’t always go as planned – they start one way and end up in another direction. Being in law enforcement is the same way – you have to know how to maneuver from this to that.
Was the transition difficult after football?
It was hard but not as hard as some have described it. I went out on my own terms which helps. I was in the middle of the police academy when I got calls to play in the UFL but I turned that down. I was ready to transition to the real world.
I always knew what I wanted to do when ball was done. I knew how harmful playing was long-term – I wanted to be able-bodied in my later years. I knew I wanted to play and lived in the moment, but I knew that it wouldn’t last forever.
Did anyone take you under their wing when you started in the NFL?
Devonta Freeman in Atlanta talked to me about what it takes to make it as an undrafted free agent. We talked every day on what I was doing wrong and what I was doing right and how to improve.
In Tampa Bay the running back coach Todd McNair and I were close. He told me that even though I was on the practice squad they needed me.
In Pittsburgh Eddie Faulkner and I had a good relationship too.
What made you decide to sign with the Steelers?
They needed a running back and I needed a job! James Conner, Benny Snell were helpful there and I knew Henry Mondeaux from college – we talked a lot. JuJu for some reason – even though he was a receiver he and I talked a lot. He was very helpful.
What did they help you with?
Just showing up and what it takes to play at the next level. I wasn’t a typical back – I was 5’9″ – I wasn’t 200 pounds and wasn’t that physical. But I knew I didn’t need to be – I needed to do what I did best – stay true to my game. I could break tackles and get to the outside – I was versatile -I could play in the slot and return kicks. I just didn’t get the shine I needed – I wasn’t used the way I needed to be to shine. But that’s just the way things go.
How do you navigate that when you struggle as a player to get the reps you need to prove yourself?
That’s something Devonta and I talked a lot about. He told me that as an undrafted free agent my reps would be limited – I needed to out it all on tape and leave it to the coaches. I internalized that. I did everything I could do and did whatever they asked of me.
What was it like getting on the field for the first time in the NFL?
It was a childhood moment for me coming true. The first time was in preseason and it was cool – my welcome to the NFL moment.
Playing for the first time at Heinz Field – I was on Cloud 9. The crowd and atmosphere – being on the big stage…. Then it at settles down and it’s just about playing ball.
Any moments stand out to you?
The biggest thing was the Mason Rudolph-Myles Garrett fight. I was just like “What the fuck is going on?” Off the field the goofing off – it was the most childish group of people I ever met! Always goofing off – guys like JuJu kept practice lite – kept people loose.
In Atlanta the funny guy was me! I got comfortable there after a while.
You returned to Pittsburgh in 2021 after playing there in 2019 – notice any differences in that 2021 team?
It was always a good atmosphere there and they always had great coaches. It was a younger team in 2021 – they were still trying to find their identity on the field. Najee and Warren were young guys.
Who were the leader in the running back room?
Najee was because of the pressure on him as a first round pick. Derek Watt was the older guy in the room. He took us under his wing and showed us the lay of the land. He was the vet in the backfield. McFarland was there for a while too but he was still trying to find his place on the team.
Any other memories stand out?
It was a sad time in 2019 because James Conner got hurt. That’s when they activated me. That’s when all of the guys there started giving me looks! “You’re time now!” “No pressure – it’s on you now! Don’t be scared!” They were all joking around with me. I figured they would have another guy starting and I’d back them up – but we shared the workload that week. I went from essentially watching them play to playing a lot of the game.
I sat next to Joe Haden and we talked a lot. He helped – he talked to me about game speed. He was in my ear. I grew up in Gainesville and he played for the Gators so we had that in common. He broke things down for me so I had to think less when I was playing.
You played for seven teams (Pittsburgh twice) in four years. How tough is that mentally?
It’s tough – I can’t lie. It uproots your life. You go from Atlanta to Pittsburgh and you’re living out of a suitcase. Then to Minnesota. It’s suitcase and hotel living. You give it your call but it’s out of your hands.
Two teams were really transparent with me – the Falcons and Steelers. The Falcons told me they wanted to keep me but they couldn’t due to other transactions. That makes you the most frustrated. They wanted to keep me on the practice squad but couldn’t.
The Steelers – I fumbled in preseason. Coach Tomlin kept it real. He does not like fumbles. He brought me in after the game and laid it out flat for me. He told me that he does not like fumbles and it led to a touchdown – that’s why they were letting me go. When the fumble happened I knew my time was up. I respected his transparency.
Any other thoughts on your time there?
The city and team were so welcoming. The team still sends me emails – I get a happy birthday message every year. I really appreciate that – they care they show players after they’re done is pretty special. They are the only team that does that.