Author: admin

First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL? Was the post-NFL transition difficult?

Well, I’m married and have grown kids now and live here in San Antonio working retail.

My oldest son Dimitri played in the NFL for two years and my nephew Trey is playing now for Atlanta.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Buffalo, Steelers Linebacker Erik Flowers, 2013”

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

Well, I’m pretty much retired now. I oversee real estate and construction for a company. I make sure they do what they re supposed to do and help handle payroll.

How hard was that post-NFL adjustment for you?

Oh yeah it was hard. Just after winning a Super Bowl too. I wanted to be part of that process again, but I didn’t get an opportunity. It was hard to deal with. Hard to swallow. There is always something to remind you of the game too. Constant reminders – TV or something on the news. It was hard to digest. Hard to accept.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Orpheus Roye, 1996-1999, 2008”

First, tell me what you’re doing with yourself since you retired?

I’m in medical device sales. It’s a competitive business – a lot of players are in it and do well in it. It’s a lot about who you know. You either love it and do well or don’t and don’t do well. I’ve been doing it for over 10 years now. I went back after I retired and got my Masters and went to law school, but then decided I didn’t want to be a lawyer after all.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Todd Fordham, 2003”

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

Yeah I’ve been doing a couple of things work-wise. I have a commercial construction company – the Rossum Group – and we work a lot with the Department of Transportation and the City of Atlanta and state municipalities in Georgia working on everything from libraries to roadwork.

I’m also part of a group that owns apartment complexes in the United States – about 20,00 to 30,000 units across the country. That was formed in 2014 with two good friends, one of who recently passed away.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Kick Returner Allen Rossum, 2007”

My personal feeling about what’s going on in the National Football League? The owners have let the league get out of control with the salaries and trying to protect their investment. I only wish they had to go through what we black players did back in the 60’s and 70’s. I have to say that the owners of today are not like Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers

He cared about the players that played for him and took care of them. More importantly, I feel that the concussions of the past are just as important as those of today.  And the fans are not seeing football the way it was started back in the day. Too many flags and too much protection for the quarterback and penalties for what the referees think they saw – to me they are fooling the fans that payed good money to see real football. Yes it nice to see a Quarterback throw along pass for touchdown. But what about the defense or linemen who try very hard to do their job. But when they do you can be assured there will be a flag. As I have said too many flags.

Continue reading “In His Own Words: Eugene Mingo”

First, can you let mw know a little about what you’ve been doing with yourself since you retired?

Well, I coached my son in Orlando – his team was the West Orange Bobcats and we were in the semi-finals. I’m also coaching and training athletes here in Orlando, as well as doing some TV and radio with Bmac and other guys. Staying busy man.

Speaking of coaching – who were some of the guys that influenced you as a coach and player – and how did they do so?

Dicky. That’s what we called Dick LeBeau. He didn’t have to say much. He was so well-respected and had such a calm manner. Whenever he spoke to you about doing something wrong, if you messed up in a game, he’d pull you aside. He wouldn’t yell or curse. He’d just tell you what you were doing was hurting the team. That was like being stabbed in the heart. He had this way of getting his point across without raising his voice.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Ike Taylor, 2003-2014”

First I want to thank Ron Lippock for keeping up with us old guys and letting us share some memories. Next I want to thank the Rooney family for always treating me and my family as a part of the Steelers family. They were and still are the class of the league!!

I was truly blessed to have played for the Steelers and Coach Noll. I was only there for one great year but it was a life changer for me and my family. I was a member of the greatest rookie class of all time in any sport and won the Super Bowl in my first year as a pro.  Those things stay with you your whole life. No matter where you go or who you meet, you are always introduced as a Super Bowl Champion. Your children and grandchildren are always known as the children and grandchildren of someone who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Continue reading “In His Own Words: Dick Conn”

As a ten-year NFL veteran, I have been through a lot, and I have seen a lot, especially what takes place behind the scenes that most individuals are unaware of. I was not a multi-million-dollar superstar. I was a “journeyman,” and I am okay with that label. I did not leave the game with millions of dollars in an account. I was a “blue collar player” that fought every year to make a roster. I feel as if the NFL got everything that they could out of me, only to be left to fend for myself with no assistance from neither the league nor the teams that I played for. Due to this lack of help, I believe that is why there are so many lawsuits against the league and its teams.

Continue reading “In His Own Words: Troy Sadowski”