pittsburghsportsdailybulletin – Page 109 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Chukky Okobi, Steelers Center, 2001-2006

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself since the NFL and about The Mansion at Maple Heights bed and breakfast in Pittsburgh?

I’ve been running my B&B in my hometown, Pittsburgh, Pa.! We’ve won awards for wedding planning and general hospitality from publications like The Knot, TripAdvisor, and bedandbreakfast.com, and we’ve been featured in the New York Times and Forbes Magazine as one of the most unique B&B’s in the world.

In addition, I have been acting a lot. I’ve been featured in seven commercials for the Pennsylvania Lottery, Nickelodeon TV shows, as well as the pilot for the FX series “Justified”. I was in a few feature films including “Out of The Furnace” with Christian Bale and Casey Affleck and “American Pastoral” featuring Ewan McGregor and Dakota Fanning.

I started a T Shirt Line, “BucTown, Pa.”, designs inspired by Pittsburgh sports teams and Music culture.

I also write music for female vocalists and I started a music publishing company called “No More Genres”

Just staying busy following my passions.

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With Steel Nation Association, Exclusive Podcast with Former Steeler Ed Bradley on Injuries, SB IX and more

Click here for our exclusive podcast with LB Ed Bradley on Burfict, players speaking up for one another, playing hurt, SB IX and much more.

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Articles by Former Steelers on Their NFL and Post-NFL Issues and Experiences and Interviews with Rival Teams' Players and Coaches

Derek Moye, Steelers Wide Receiver, 2012-2014

First, can you let readers know what you are ding with yourself now?

Right now – we just had a baby. We have an eight-month year old so I’m busy there. I also am working with my brother in his recruiting company. I haven’t given up completely on the NFL – I’m still working out and keeping everything in order in case things come up on the horizon.

Is it hard being out of the game – especially after you had success working your way on the roster?

It’s pretty tough, I haven’t played this year – sitting back and watching other guys play is hard, especially if you see someone and think you can do it better than they could but I’m at home… I’ve been involved in sports my whole life – it’s an adjustment – life after the NFL. But I am pretty busy with my baby and have been tied up …

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Players as people

So I sent out an innocuous happy birthday Tweet out to Kordell Stewart wishing him a happy birthday. A fan promptly responded back with what a negative comment about Kordell – to both me and Kordell.

And it got me thinking.

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Highlights from the Steelers Takeaways Weekend Book Signing Tour

Craig Bingham and Marv Kellum couldn’t have been greater people for coming out and being so terrific to all those that attended – and to my family. As you can tell, my son had a “terrible” time 🙂

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Gregg Garrity, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1983-1984

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

I own my own construction business – I do additions and renovations – kitchens and baths, that sort of thing. I’ve been building stuff since I was in seventh grade – I always got into it. It progressed over the years. I guess I like taking a pile of sticks and making something out of it!

How hard was it for you, adjusting to life after the NFL? Did the NFL help in your post-career?

It was a big adjustment. You go from having everything done for you to having to do it yourself. I bought a house in my hometown outside of Pittsburgh though so it was easier being in my hometown.

The NFL offered zero help then. It’s basically, “We don’t want you anymore so goodbye!”

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Jim O’Brien: Station Square scene for Steelers’ games has to be seen in order to be believed

O’Brien column:

Station Square scene for Steelers’ games has to be seen in order to be believed

A man came toward me, smiling, and said, “How do I get in touch with Jack Lambert?” I had to smile, too.

“Why would you want to do that?” I asked.

“I’m a big fan and I’d like him to sign this,” he said, pointing to a multi-colored likeness of Jack Lambert on the man’s left calf. This is about the fourth time in my journalism career that someone has shown me a similar tattoo. It’s one of the perks of my job.

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Upcoming Steelers Takeaways Book signings – Meet Former Steelers!

September 30:

Wheeling WV Books a Million 6 pm

October 1st:

Penguin Bookshop in Sewickly w/ Steelers Linebacker CRAIG BINGHAM – 1:00 pm

October 1st:

Barnes & Noble in Monroeville w/ Two-Time Super Bowl winner Linebacker MARV KELLUM – 6:00 pm

October 1st:

Hudson Books in Pittsburgh Airport – 9:00 am

Mike Quinn, Steelers Quarterback, 1997, 2004

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself these days?

Well, I’m back in Houston – I moved back here when I signed with the Texans in 2002. I’ve been married eleven years and we have an eight year-old son. I’ve been working in commercial real estate since my retirement from football in 2007. I’m currently a broker at Fritsche Anderson.

I’ve also had the pleasure of running a quarterback academy since 2010 (Houston Quarterback Academy). I have group camps and offer private instruction. It’s been great to stay involved with the game in that way and mentoring QBs is something I love to do.

How hard was that post-NFL adjustment for you?

Everybody has a tough adjustment I think. In my situation I had to scratch and claw to make the team over my career. I had to fight to keep the dream alive. When the phone stopped ringing – you know maybe it’s time. In ’04 – that was my last year in the NFL – in Pittsburgh. My career came full circle. I tried the Canadian Football League in 2006 and that was good because it gave me closure. I knew it was time to start on the next chapter.

It was a tough adjustment. At first I didn’t like watching or going to games. I felt like I could still play – I know lots of guys have that feeling. Now that time has passed, I love watching games with my son and love being around it again and passing on the knowledge I gained.

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Congratulations to Coach Bill Cowher on his HOF Nomination – see what players have said about him:

RB Foster: “When Bill came in, the first thing he did was unify the team. From the outside, you don’t see or understand it. We were a divided team.”

LB Barnes: “Bill Cowher was former player, and you can tell he was a player’s coach. You knew where you stood with him, and I appreciated that. He had a lot of energy and he kept everyone loose. That made you better. “

K Reed: “Cowher was very easy to play for despite his sideline antics and “chin” at times…he is a great man…I’m blessed that he and Mr. Rooney gave me an initial opportunity…that’s where it all started.”

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