Author: pittsburghsportsdailybulletin

Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Ryan Switzer

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First, can you let us know a bit about your recent charity work in Pittsburgh?

Well, I had a background doing it at North Carolina. Every Friday we’d go to the burn center at Chapel Hill and visit for an hour. I got into it my junior year.

When I got to Pittsburgh I knew UPMC was prevalent there – they were everywhere. But I didn’t know how to go about working with them. I did some research but then I had that back and forth on social media with Colin Dunlap. When that went down I learned about his daughter’s treatment and they reached out to me for a visit.

I went once and I was hooked. I just had to go back – it caught on like wildfire. It was incredible. I’m out of Pittsburgh for the offseason but will be back in April and visit then. I want to make a routine of it.

As you said, it all started with social media as far as Pittsburgh is concerned.  How do you manage to stay out of trouble on social media especially seeing other guys who do get in trouble?

Oh there are definitely knuckleheads out there. A lot of guys get a voice on social media that don’t deserve one.  It bothered me more when I was younger. People can be really harsh and mean. As I’ve gotten older I guess I’ve become more mature.  I realize now that those opinions don’t matter.  You need to pick and choose my battles, right?

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Report: Ryan Switzer Says Critics are wrong about Ben Roethlisberger

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In an exclusive with Steelers receiver and kick returner Ryan Switzer, he talks about a number of things,  and below, shares his thoughts and experiences showing why Ben critics are wrong:

It’s funny. Ben takes a lot of heat. As a young dude I see all of it. No one says anything about the good things he does though. You see them bashing him on First Take and all. But my experience is the opposite. Hey-Bey reached out to me with the do’s and don’ts of the team. I owe him a lot. But Ben jump-started my career.

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Vintage Steelers: The Start of the 70’s

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One could say that Chuck Noll’s second year was a little better than his first as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Even though he won his first game as the guy in charge things didn’t go well after that in 1969.  They lost every game after that.  The 1970 season couldn’t come soon enough for him and the Steelers.  The 1970 season started with what may have been their second best draft in the history of the organization.  Anytime a team drafts a Hall of Famer it is considered a successful draft.  In the 1970 draft the Steelers drafted two Hall of Famers, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount.  Throw in second round pick Ron Shanklin and you’ve got yourself an extra special draft.  The 1969 and 1970 drafts are arguably the most successful consecutive drafts in the history of the NFL.  This will lead to a 5-9 record.  Things are definitely looking up.  

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Exclusive with Larry Krutko, Steelers Fullback, 1958-1960

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First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL – what you’ve been up to in the past couple of years!

Well, my family has just started a grocery business – my wife and I. We just became owners of a wholesale business and are attempting to run it. We’re just staying above water and are working in anticipation of success!

How hard was that adjustment to post-NFL life and what prompted it after just three years in the NFL?

Well remember I played organized sports since high school, college, and then pro football. You become a sort of regimented robot. You expect things to happen and when as the band starts playing, as they say, you just start dancing around. But the transition wasn’t very difficult and frankly I knew it was necessary to do it right to be successful.

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Exclusive with former Steelers Wide Receiver Gordie Lockbaum, 1988

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

Well, now I’m the Vice President for Sullivan Insurance Group here in Massachusetts. It’s near Holy Cross. I grew up in New Jersey and got recruited at Holy Cross and moved and stayed here since. I started the business with my old roommate’s brother, oddly enough.

How hard was the post-football adjustment for you?

It was an adjustment – I did it really on two tracks. My first year in Pittsburgh I tried to make the team but unfortunately did not. Then I went to Buffalo … I played as many preseason games as a guy can over those years but didn’t make it over that final hump.

I kept in shape – mentally and physically after Buffalo just in case I got another call.

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Vintage Steelers: Selling Alan Faneca

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One of these days I’ll understand the whole “who gets into the Hall of Fame and who doesn’t” thing.  I think every team has a player or two, or in our case four, who definitely deserves to be in the NFL Hall of Fame.  Jerry Kramer waited a lifetime to get in for the Green Bay Packers.  But, this past weekend shows the weaknesses and prejudices in who gets in and when.  It took Jerome Bettis how many years to get the call.  he should have been a first ballot entry without question.  There’s this whole “waiting your turn” crap that bothers me.  Those players chosen this past weekend to get into the Hall all deserve to be in.

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In His Own Words: Irv Eatman

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Life After The NFL

During my eleven year career , there were a great number of positives that I enjoyed being in the National Football League. The competitive challenge of playing against other great athletes, the brotherhood is like no other work environment, and of course the pay wasn’t bad either. There were many other positives as well, the ability to affect change and positively influencing kids were two of the most important to me. I also dealt with some not-so-positive side effects of playing 11 years in the NFL. Arthritis throughout my body, broken bones, detached ligaments, to name a few. In addition, playing in the NFL can be very much like existing in a bubble. While it is the real world to those inside the business, to rest of the world the NFL is a fantasy world used to entertain millions.

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Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Olasunkanmi Adeniyi

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First, I spoke with you before camp started about trying to make the team. What are your thoughts now after  year one with the Steelers?

I think it went pretty good. It obviously started off tough – on IR. It was a tough situation. But when I got back I did what I had to do to get back on the field. I could do more I know but it was a good start to my career, especially coming in as an undrafted free agent.

What did the coaches tell you you need to work on to take that next step and get more playing time?

Basically, I just need to perform better. Come in with the same mindset and especially – get better on special teams. Me, just being used to the system now and knowing what’s going on. That will help me develop from where I am now.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Markus Wheaton, 2013-2016

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First, what are the next steps for you and your football career?

Well, first off, I’m hanging up my cleats. I’m currently retired – I just haven’t officially announced it yet.

I have a fee businesses – I’m working in real estate and all over the place really. That’s about it. I have three little kids and they’re a handful.

Why the decision to retire?

The last few years, it’s been tough. I was injured all over the place.  Small and big injuries. Just a bunch of different situations and at the same time I had three little kids. I started to think about hanging up my cleats when I went to Philly. I told my wife then that if it didn’t work out there I would retire. I had a great camp in Philly, but I got more injuries and they released me. I already had some businesses in place so decided then to let it go.

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