First, can you  let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you’re time in the NFL?

I am currently working back at my alma mater Oklahoma State University as the Associate Director of Development. I also am the defensive coordinator of the OKC John Marshall Bears where my brother Rashaun is the Head Coach and my other brother Gary is the Secondary Coach. I also do some radio for OSU as well on 107.7 The Franchise.

What was the most difficult part of the transition from the NFL to “regular life” for you, and how did you make that adjustment?

Coming to the realization that you won’t be able to play a game that you have played all your life. Football is different from every other sport in that, once you finish playing, that is really the end. Nobody gets together to play pick-up games or anything like that. It really is the end and it is tough. I struggled with it like most players do, but eventually accepted things and though still tough at times, I have moved on to the next stage of my life and career.

At Oklahoma State, you played quarterback, then safety, before finally settling in at linebacker. Why the changes, and how do you think that affected your college career and development?

I changed positions because I was the starter for my entire freshman season and into my sophomore season and the coaching staff wanted to go in a different direction. I never planned to be a quarterback. My dream was to be an NFL safety. After the decision was made that I would no longer be starting, I made the choice to see if I could play defense since that was the plan all along and it worked out for me in the end. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to fulfill my ultimate dream of playing in the NFL if I hadn’t decided to switch positions.

Despite being the defensive MVP of the Insight Bowl, you ended up going undrafted. Was that a surprise for you – what did your agent tell you beforehand and how did he advise you through the process?

I had an injury prior to my pro day and didn’t have the best showing, so I knew that was a possibility. My agent told me the same thing. He had experience with some people in Pittsburgh and knew that it was a top flight organization so after some dialogue, the decision was made to head to Pittsburgh.

You ended up signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. Why did you choose Pittsburgh and what did they tell you in terms of what position (outside versus inside linebacker) that you’d vie for?

They really didn’t say much about position. I think I was really just a training camp body, but I just wanted an opportunity.  I thought I would be playing inside but they put me at outside in mini-camp so I was outside. There were a ton of guys I thought. Though I played outside all camp and preseason, we had some training camp injuries and in the last preseason game against Carolina and I volunteered to go to inside after Arnold Harrison went down with a knee injury and had a very productive game and just like that I was at inside now.

Who on the team helped mentor you as a rookie- both on and off the field – and how did they do so?

All of the guys were great and offered a helping hand whenever they could. It was different from the other places I had been. Ryan Clark was tremendously helpful as well as Aaron Smith, Andre Frazier as well as a host of other guys.

You made the team in large part due to your stellar special teams play. What made you so good on special teams and how did you develop the mindset for that part of the game? It’s not something every player adopts…

I was just blessed athletically. Growing up, my brother Gary was a defensive back and he taught us those skills as well as receiver so even though I grew into a linebacker, my other brothers were receivers, I still had that skill set. I was just being athletic and it was productive.

The team was loaded with veteran linebackers – Farrior, Harrison, Timmons, Woodley, Haggans and Foote were all there at the time. How competitive were they as a unit with one another and was it frustrating with all of that veteran talent not being able to get more reps on game days?

Forget game days, I was just happy to get practice reps in the beginning. These guys were the best group of linebackers I ever had the chance to be around. As far as game reps, I knew they would be very few of them unless there was an injury so I concentrated on my special teams assignment. Keith Butler did an excellent job of preparing us so we never went into games without being prepared.

Humor plays such a large part on successful teams in the NFL. What are some of the funnier memories you have of your time in Pittsburgh with other players – either on or off the field?

Just being around the guys all the time was a comedy show. Nothing specific but just normal locker room stuff.

You made it to the Super Bowl your rookie season – how surreal was that for you and were you able to appreciate the rarity of that then?

Very surreal and yes I was. I brought my parents and was able to give them that experience as well. Every day I just took it all in. I was so thankful God allowed me the privilege to have the experience of playing in the NFL.

In 2009 unfortunately, you were released and later signed with Dallas. What prompted that release and how difficult was that for you?

Very difficult. I had been released quite a few times before and signed back to the active roster or practice squad but this time felt different and it was. We struggled on special teams that year and they wanted to shake some things up. I thought there might be another opportunity in the future but it was not to be.

What advice would you give players today entering the NFL based on your experiences?

My advice to other players would be to make sure you have the right people around you. You have a lot more free time than you do in college. Make sure you fill it with productive things and take care of your body.

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