pittsburghsportsdailybulletin – Page 15 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Exclusive with Former Steelers Chaplain Kevin Jordan, 2008-2012

First off, can you let me know what you’re up to now – what you’re doing back with UCLA?

I’ve worked with students for a long time at UCLA – the past one-and-a-half years now I’ve been given the Director of Player Development position at the school. Every NFL team has one but it’s a newer thing for colleges to have. It’s a similar role to what they do in the NFL – we mentor and equip student athletes with the resources we have on campus to adjust to life after college and football.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Chaplain Kevin Jordan, 2008-2012”

Exclusive with Former Pittsburgh Condor Walt Szczerbiak

First off, what did you do with yourself after you were done playing?

I retired in ’84- actually I retired first in 1982 after an injury. I was looking to get into the stock brokerage business after the injury. But I was playing pickup ball in Long Island when the GM of a local team told me that there was an FIBA team that needed a player and I should go play for them. I got offered a two-year contract to play for them – a team in Spain. I had to decide to drop it all and go to Spain or keep looking to become a stockbroker.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Pittsburgh Condor Walt Szczerbiak”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Clifton Geathers, 2014-2015

First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?

I’m retired now – I’m permanently disabled and living on a farm in South Carolina. I’m living in the woods near a lake and looking to work on the horticulture here – trying to holistically heal my body. My wife is now in Alabama with my son – I’m here on my own trying to start up a B&B or retreat here.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Clifton Geathers, 2014-2015”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Assistant Coach/Offensive Assistant Matt Raich, 2000-2006

First off, I know you were a defensive player and coach in college at Westminster and Robert Morris, but you were coaching offense for much of your time in Pittsburgh. How did that happen?

That’s a great question. I thought the same thing when then the job was offered to me by Bill Cowher! At the time Mike Mularkey was hired by the Bills to be their coach after being the Steelers offensive coordinator. Mike took some of the Steelers assistant coaches with him.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Assistant Coach/Offensive Assistant Matt Raich, 2000-2006”

Exclusive with New Chicago State University Head Coach Bobby Rome

First off, congratulations on being hired to start up a new football program at Chicago State – how do you go about starting up a program like that?

It starts in the community – creating stakeholders and positive energy and community engagement. It’s going well – the community has taken to the program. We’re getting a good vibe from Chicago. I’m enjoying it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with New Chicago State University Head Coach Bobby Rome”

Exclusive with Steelers Photographer Alysa Rubin

First, can you tell me how you got into photography?

I always loved documenting things and watching history unfold. I love photography because it’s a mish-mosh of all of that. It’s an art form and storytelling – it’s capturing history.

When I first got hold of my mother’s digital camera and saw her pictures – things like family vacations – I loved it. I loved taking pictures with her camera and got my own camera at the age of 10.

When I was in middle and high school I learned how to use a dark room and learned the art form of photography. I learned I could make a career of it in college. I went to Penn State as an undecided communications major – I didn’t know what I wanted to do then. One of the options they gave me was photojournalism. I knew what the photo part was, just not the journalism!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Photographer Alysa Rubin”

Exclusive with Steelers Tight End J.J. Galbreath

First off, what made you decide to sign with the Steelers?

Honestly, the last months leading up to the draft I had no contact with the Steelers – it all came out of the woodwork at the end. I had no conversations with coaches leading up to the draft. In the late rounds one team called and was going to give me an offer but then they picked a tight end at the end of the draft so that fell through.

It was silent after the draft for about 30 minutes when my agent called saying the Steelers wanted to sign me – he locked that in. It was funny to hear since I had no contact with them. But my agent told my that’s pretty typical for the Steelers – they are one of the more quiet teams. I’m super-excited though to go to the Steelers though. That program has had a lot of success – it has so many great players and a great fanbase.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End J.J. Galbreath”

Exclusive with Pittsburgh Actor David Newell (AKA Mr. McFeely)

First off, you studied theater well before Mr Rogers – I’m not sure how many knew that. What got you interested in acting in the first place?

My grandfather used to take me to plays. The first play I ever saw was from a touring company that come through Pittsburgh. The play was called “Harvey” – Jimmy Stewart made it into a movie. The play starred comedian Joe E. Brown – I think he was related to a former manager of the Pirates.

The play was in a grand old theater – the atmosphere of that Saturday matinee – it was enchanting. I came home after that and redid the play in our basement using crates and curtains and played every part. That’s what got me started!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Pittsburgh Actor David Newell (AKA Mr. McFeely)”

Exclusive with Steelers Camp Invite, Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren

First off, why did you decide to try out with the Steelers – what went into the decision?

It was kind of a weird process – I was trying to get a contract with any team – some teams showed interest but I didn’t get offers. Then the Steelers called – they said they were interested and extended the offer to come to camp. My agent had reached out to Omar Khan and asked if he was interested in bringing me in – they were friends and Omar said he was interested and that’s when I got the offer.

I looked at their history of developing small school prospects and went with that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Camp Invite, Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren”

Exclusive with Steelers Tryout and Pittsburgh Native, Offensive Lineman Dominic Serapiglia III

First off, why did you take on the tryout at Pittsburgh versus another team?

I’ve been away for so long from home – except for the Summer and holidays. I was a walk-on at Tulsa, then got a scholarship at Southeastern Louisiana then went to Central Michigan my final two years.

It feels good to get an opportunity to play for such an awesome franchise that’s so deeply rooted in the NFL. So coming back home to Pittsburgh was a no-brainer. They always have some of the best lineman and offensive line coaches. And Coach Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the game.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tryout and Pittsburgh Native, Offensive Lineman Dominic Serapiglia III”