Author: pittsburghsportsdailybulletin

First, can you let us know what you’e been doing since retirement? 

Well, a big part of what I’m doing now is speaking to schools about drug addiction and abuse. It started when I started going to AA meetings and met a woman who later became my wife. She was speaking and talked about her daughter who she lost when she wandered away during a party and drowned.

She was doing various speaking engagements on the effects of alcohol on families. We started dating soon afterwards and I watched the effect she had on people when she was speaking.

And that’s how you got started? 

I waited a couple of years first – I wanted to be able to go into schools and say for sure that I was clean and sober. Other asked me if I would speak but I wasn’t a public speaker. I hated speaking and hate the attention. But a friend had a program called New Beginnings and I spoke for them a couple of times then started doing it with my wife and the Drive to Save Lives Tour. Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Chris Sullivan, 2000-2001”

First, what are the next steps for you as you enter into your eleventh potential season?

Well I’m definitely keeping my eyes open and hope for the opportunity to come back this way to Miami. I’ve been enjoying time with my family. I don’t worry about much of the things that are out of my control. I’m hopeful that Miami will bring me back and am still preparing my body to play.

Any thoughts about what your next steps are, even if Miami brings you back. What’s next after playing in the NFL?

After my playing career I’d like to stay in football and coach. At what level I don’t know. I’ve spoken to my wife and agent about it and we’re still discussing it now. But I would definitely like to stick around football.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Ziggy Hood, 2009-2013”

First, let me know how you got involved with the Steelers and Duquesne?

Well I grew up in Pittsburgh and a sports fan, so when  I got the call for a PR internship with the Steelers it was Mike Tomlin’s first season. It wouldn’t have mattered who was coaching but it was cool to work for his first draft. It was a good one too – everyone played in a game except Stephenson. Timmons, Woodley, Spaeth and Gay…and Sepulveda would have been great if he could have stayed healthy.

How did you get in a position to get the call?

The way it worked out for me – Duquesne was close to the Rooneys. So many went to school there -Art and Dan played football. I played too and went to Duquesne grad school  for a fifth year on a scholarship – I could go for five because I was injured one year, I was in the media and journalism program then. I was a T.A. for my professor there. Right after grad school my professor called me and told me that the Steelers were looking for someone to help them – someone looking to get a start in their career. I had a part-time marketing job in Elizabeth and started boxing at my dad’s gym in South Park at the time.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Robert Healy III, Duquesne Sports Journalism Professor and Former Media Assistant for the Steelers, 2007”

First, can you talk a bit about how your dad decided to make football his career?

Val: I have some stories but dad was pretty private about his playing days. My brother didn’t even know he played football until high school!

He took the numbers off of his game jerseys and the Steelers patches off of his football jackets he had. He was a humble guy.

I know they called him a sleeper. They didn’t expect him to be as good as he was. He was gifted naturally. He had a good friend in college and they mirrored each other – Chuck Mihalik. They played for the Fleet City Blue Jackets during the war and played at Duquesne together.

Tim: They used to call my dad and Chuck the Gold Dust Twins!

Zeb: He only played high school in his senior year. He worked in the coal mines after high school until one day his principal asked him what he thought about going to Duquesne on a football scholarship.  My dad was a one-hit wonder in high school – he won the Mid-Mon Valley award in 1939 as a senior.

Continue reading “Interview with sons of Steelers WR Val Jansante, 1946-1951”

First – congratulations on signing with the Steelers. Tell me why you chose the Steelers?

Well, I’ve been a Midwest guy the whole time I’ve been living. I think playing in Michigan and in the MAC – it’s a blue collar mindset. And it’s the same thing in Pittsburgh. Everyone works hard to get what they get.

Plus, the tradition of he team and the success of other MAC quarterbacks that have played there – with Ben and his historic career. All that stuff made it a great opportunity.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Quarterback Brogan Roback”