pittsburghsportsdailybulletin – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Tracy Simien, 1989

First off, what have you been doing with yourself since you stopped playing?

Right now I’m just enjoying my downtime. I’m a high school coach and a teacher here in Sweeney, Texas. I’m just gearing up for another football season!

As a coach, were there coaches and coaching lessons that impacted you most? And how?

You can always learn from somebody. I’ve taken a piece of something from everyone and incorporate that into what I do now. Even going back to my playing days. One of my first coaches was Bill Cowher when I was in Kansas CIty – there are certain aspects I take from him – his high energy and enthusiasm.

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Exclusive: Jim Britt, Vice President of Sports Events, VisitPITTSBURGH

First to all, can you let us know about your new role at VisitPITTSBURGH?

I just recently joined VisitPITTSBURGH – I come from a fairly deep background in professional sports. I worked for over 20 years with the Penguins – the bulk of that with team operations – travel, logistics, things like that. I also led the Penguins Foundation – building community relationships and partnerships throughout the region.

I’m excited – my work now is about highlighting the city to bring exciting events here. I work with the Pirates, Steelers, Penguins and the vibrant amateur and youth sports in the area to help bring other events to the city.

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Exclusive: Pittsburgh Musician Joe Grushecky

First off, any upcoming projects/shows we should be aware of?

Well – we’re doing our annual holiday extravaganza we like to call it at the Crafthouse on December 28th. We’ll have two sets – the first with the old stuff with the Iron City Houserockers then the new stuff with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers.

I also have two new records coming up and was involved in a new musical that premiered in New Jersey called East Carson Street.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers (2010) and Ravens Cornerback David Pittman

First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

Currently, I’m working for Marathon Petroleum. I moved to Indianapolis here in May and work in the transportation and logistics division and manage everything in this region. We have three operations in Indiana and one in Champaign, Illinois.

How was the post-NFL transition for you?

The initial transition was difficult. At that time I was till trying to figure out what discipline I could transition into. This was right after the economic downturn. I relocated home – my dad had just passed away and I wanted to be closer to my mother and siblings. I looked at different opportunities – coaching, scouting…then I thought back to high school.. Back then I had wanted to learn more about manufacturing and oil and gas. The area I am from in Louisiana – we had a lot of oil and gas facilities there. A lot of people we knew worked in those facilities – my dad also worked at a steel mill for a time. So I became interested in the process of making finished products.

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Exclusive with Mike Gill, Philadelphia’s Host of the Sports Bash on 97.3 ESPN

First – how’s the health of the Eagles – I saw Dallas Goedert was placed on IR – how big of a hit is that?

Well we’re a lot healthier than the Steelers! Then only guy we have out is Dallas Goedert – and he should be back by the end of the season. Earlier on Davonte Smith, A.J. Brown and Jordan Mailata were out but they’re back now and we’re almost at full health.

Grant Calcaterra has done a great job too at tight end. He’s more of a pass-catcher than a blocker though.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Mike Gill, Philadelphia’s Host of the Sports Bash on 97.3 ESPN”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dwyane Hooper, 1985-1986

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

I’m doing full-time ministry now. I started off in banking and finance after football but was very active in the church at that particular time. So it seemed like a natural progression.

In the mid-80s everyone stayed with their company forever. It’s funny, when I told my best friend I wanted to talk to him about a change in career and told him I was going into the ministry, he wasn’t surprised. He thought I was going to get into coaching or something. That he said would have been a real surprise!

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Exclusive with Pittsburgher/Actor Manu Narayan

First off, what projects should we be aware of that you’re working on now?

Well, I just finished shooting season one of an Apple series. I signed an NDA so I don’t think I can give away the name of the series or many details yet, but it includes Olivia Munn, Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet. I have a re-occurring character. It’s a great series directed by the same person who directed Banshee.

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Exclusive with Danny Chew, Ultramarathon Cyclist and Co-Founder and Promoter of the Dirty Dozen

First off, what are you doing now – are you still riding?

It’s my eight-year anniversary of the accident that changed my life and left me paralyzed from the chest down.

Now the only exercises I can do are with my arms. I push a wheelchair on the street in my Manchester neighborhood – it’s a flat street so I can do it easier. It’s been excellent exercise for me. I use a safety flag so I’m visible, and do about 3-6 miles a day – at about two miles an hour.

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Exclusive with Former Browns Quarterback Mike Pagel

First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I’m just raising my kids now. I worked for a telecom company – a small one you may have heard of – AT&T! A friend of mine from church talked to me after I retired from the NFL. I was in Ohio and was looking to move to Indiana for a job with Ameritech and the Yellow Pages when he told me he was looking for someone there in Ohio. So I ended up working for them.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive/Offensive Lineman Mike Finn, 1992-93

First off, what have you been up to since your time playing football?

Currently I’m working as then Deputy Shift Supervisor for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office. I’ve worked in law enforcement now for over 22 years and started basically because of former Steeler Dwight Stone.

How did that come about?

He was a guy who took me under his wing as a rookie and talked to me about the transition away from sports. He was the main reason for me to get involved in this.

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