First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing since you’ve retired from the NFL and how you got started in these new ventures?  

After I retired I jumped right into coaching high school football and teaching physical education at Rock Bridge HS in Columbia, MO. I’ve been the Head Coach since the 2003 season. My son Alex just completed his senior season and signed to play collegiately at the University of Oregon

How did you prepare for life after the NFL and how hard was that adjustment for you?

Because I was an early entry into the draft (primarily due to a coaching change) I hadn’t completed my degree program when I left school. I committed to taking classes every off season. I got my degree prior to completing my playing career so I was in pretty good position to make a seamless transition into coaching/teaching which is what I always wanted to do long term

As a coach, what lessons from your NFL time and coaches inspired you most, and how do you pass those on to your players/students now? 

The biggest thing I try to make my guys understand is how much commitment it takes to be really good something. And even when you are really good you always find out there are still people who are better. I try to make sure they understand and appreciate the process of the “journey” more than the just the outcome.

You were drafted by the Buffalo in 1994, but found yourself in Pittsburgh in 1995. What happened to initiate that move for you and why did you decide to sign with Pittsburgh? 

I was only 20 years old and probably way too young to be in the NFL and Buffalo was a very veteran team that had the sense of urgency of team who was in the last leg of a race for a championship so they didn’t have much room for a player who needed a lot of development. When I got cut I chose to come to Pittsburgh because of the tone Coach Cowher set for the team based on seeing them up close in joint practices and pre-season games. I really liked the attitude of those teams.

With veterans like Mark Bruener and Jonathan Hayes on team, what did you learn most from those guys and how difficult was it for you waiting for a chance to play on game days? 

Mark actually was a draft class behind me ( we were the same age) so that was his rookie season. He was a tremendous talent with great work ethic. He was an even better person. Hawk was the consummate veteran. He always did his best to share his wisdom and experience with us. He was the was a great sounding board and what every veteran player should be as far as mentoring the younger guys in the program. I’m a patient person and a team guy so I didn’t worry about not playing, I just focused on making sure I was doing everything I could to be ready if I was needed to play.

You made it to the Super Bowl in that ’95 season. How did the coaching staff and players prepare for the game and stay loose? 

It would be hard to really pinpoint one specific thing. Everybody prepares for games in their own way.

How much did humor play a part on those Steelers teams, and how so? Can you give a couple of examples of some funny things that occurred, on or off the field? 

Humor is always a big part of any locker room. I can’t remember any real specific instances but I know Johnny Barnes was a hilarious guy. But nobody was a s funny as Fred Mcafee.

You ended up playing for five teams across three leagues (NFL, WFL, XFL) in your seven-year career. How did those leagues differ and how difficult was it for you, moving from city to city? 

Obviously there is no league like the NFL but when I was with the Ravens they allocated me to the World League (which came to be known as NFL Europe) and that was a very unique and memorable experience. Getting that playing experience at the time really helped extend my career a few years. Moving never bothered me. I was always prepared for a possible move so I always kept a house in Columbia, MO and rented an apartment wherever I was playing and packed light!

What are your thoughts on how the game has changed since you played, and what advice would you give to players today entering the sport? 

Players have gotten bigger and faster at a dramatic rate. It’s fun for me to watch how the skill level continues to evolve. It’s also great to see how the league continues to improve in terms of player safety and long term care as well as providing support for the game itself at the high school and youth level. The best advice I could give young players is act as if your career can be over tomorrow because in reality it can be.

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