First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

I’ve been working at a tire place here in Wheeling, West Virginia. I’m the warehouse manager and work with the lift kits on trucks. Been doing that for twenty years now.

Was it hard adjusting to life after the NFL?

It was pretty tough, yeah. I still love and miss football. But after we had our first daughter  my focus was on her first. I lost my edge. She became my number one priority. It was tough in the beginning but I have no regrets.

You signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in ’91. Why Pittsburgh and how hard was that adjustment after playing at a smaller school like Akron?

I had no choice really. I knew the Steelers were looking at me heavy but I let my agent handle it.  It was a big adjustment, no doubt. But we were a division 1 school then. We played teams like Florida and Auburn. What caught me off guard more was just that there were more people. Bigger crowds. It was 20,000 people in college, but now there were 70,000 people watching, Other than that there wasn’t a big difference. Once the ball snaps after the first play, it’s back to business.

And you made the team?

Well, I hooked up with Ralph Cindrich after practice in the locker rom and he told me I was released. This was at the end of the camp and I was one of the last guys cut. I drove home and my father ran out to the driveway yelling at me that that Ralph called and wanted me to go back. So I flew back up there and they signed me.

Who helped you adjust to life in the NFL? Both on and off the field?

My defensive backs coach Mike Woodford Akron was great at keeping your spirits high, no matter what. No matter how bad you felt about yourself, he had such a positive attitude – he’d remind you that you had what it takes to make it. He coached a lot of professional athletes and let me know that if you work hard it would happen.

In Pittsburgh, Rod Woodson’s contract dispute and hold out I think helped me make the team. D.J. Johnson was a great influence. David always made me feel comfortable. Thomas Everett too… they all made me feel like I was part of their team. They didn’t make me feel like a rookie. That I should be there with them on the field.

As a guy on the bubble, how did you stay positive – how did you handle that pressure?

You take it day by day. The people were so encouraging. They believed in you. They reminded me they brought me in for that. That I was a good athlete. With those positive vibes I couldn’t be negative.

How did humor play a part in your time there?

The player initiation – the luncheon and rookie skit. I had to tell a joke in front of everybody. I was so nervous. I was just one joke but I had to stand up in front of the everybody in the lunch room, all looking at you. They all laughed – it was pretty funny.

Against Houston, I got my first interception. I was on the sidelines with D.J. talking about the next series. I saw Warren Moon looking over at me and I told David that this was the play. He told me to go get it then Saint Vinny!  I just had a feeling. Well, I picked off the pass and went off running with it and a lineman pushed me out of bounds. I slid headfirst into Gregg Lloyd. He just picked me up and said to me “You’re not a rookie no more.” Lloyd was a beast. Him saying that felt even better than the interception.

Despite a successful rookie season, you left the game the following season. What happened?

I’d been playing for so long, I just lost my edge. I sat down with my family – my wife Jodi said she had my back. I wanted to be happy. I miss it but I wouldn’t take it back if I could. I had fun, but I’m happy.

What did the players and coaches say to you when you told them you were leaving?

I had some influences sure trying to have me stay. But David told me the game wasn’t for everybody. You can’t do it if you’re not happy. I made the choice on my own and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have four beautiful children and five beautiful grandchildren and I couldn’t be happier.

What advice would you give guys coming into the game today?

The only advice I can give is buckle up your chin straps. These guys are bigger and faster today. I understand the concussion thing. But the defense is taught t dislodge the ball. they’re bigger and faster – it’s very hard to  just stop. I understand the rules but there are lots of rules and it takes away from the game. It may have been dirt then but it was football. I think they need to just let them lay football. Guys are too big and fast. It’s Bam-bam – it’s hard to control that. It’s definitely a violent sport. So, prepare your best for it – and buckle up your chinstraps.

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