Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!
More than 1,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff, media and more with those that played in the 50’s through today’s current roster.
First off, what have you been up to in the offseason?
I’m just training – working on cardio and strength training. Nothing too crazy. Doing isometrics for and getting my body right for Spring.
I’m also spending time with the family – we just had a son a couple of months ago so spending a lot of time with him. And I like to bowl and fish when I get the chance.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Jonathan Ward”
First off, what have you been up to since your time working for the Steelers?
When I left the Steelers I was hired by the FBI. I went through the academy then worked there for seven-and-a-half years. It was a great career – I worked undercover – but that took its toll at home. After that I went into corporate security and am working now as a VP of Global Security. It’s been an interesting journey – it’s been an incredible amount of global travel over the last 16 years.
I worked for Bayer than Mylan – in one year I did six trips to India. Those frequent flyer miles paid for a lot of vacations!
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Scout Bill Scheider, 1998-1999”
First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your time in Pittsburgh – and was it hard to adjust to life after football?
When I was done playing I landed in the scrap metal business with my father. I’m still in that business today – with Omnisource – it’s a large company owned by Steel Dynamics.
It wasn’t bad, the adjustment. I stayed in shape through 2009 to stay football ready. I had some interest from some smaller leagues. The main arena league went out of business – a number of smaller leagues were competing but the money wasn’t there. I realized I could make more money doing a regular job than banging on my body. I realized that the NFL wasn’t in my future.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Jeff Bradley, 2009”
First, what are you up to now?
I’m working four jobs now! It’s crazy when football season kicks in. My 9-5 job is in banking finance – I work on loans and leases for companies.
I also help Chartiers Valley High School with their stats and give them my two-cents on ideas for plays. And I work for Pro Football Focus taking down stats on most college games – FCS and FBS mostly and the NFL sometimes. I get all the details you can imagine – from how far a quarterback drops back to the first point of contact for a running back.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Video Intern Dan Sofranko, 2023”
First off, what have you been up to since playing?
I’ve been raising my kids, playing golf and working on my business. I’ve been busy. When I was playing I didn’t think at all about a plan B. I figured I’d figure it out after playing for eight or nine years. That’s how I looked at it.
Was the post-NFL transition tough – how did you navigate it?
It was weird. You have all of that freedom – that time and energy. It wasn’t easy – I needed to find ways to decompress and transition to civilian life. I struggled for the first six months or so – I was rehabbing after surgery then too. Your ego is so big as a player you think you’ll play forever and it’s a shock to your system when you stop.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman David DeCastro, 2012-2020”
First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since you stopped playing football?
I work in the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s office – I’m a Lieutenant and work on the emergency response team in the training division. I have a wife and two kids – a 10-year old and a daughter at the University of Pittsburgh. That’s the summation of my life – family and work!
What made you decide to pursue law enforcement?
I was actually at Virginia Tech on campus during the shooting. I was in the middle of a class at Squires Hall right across from where the shooting occurred. I saw the students running out and law enforcement running in. It was a pivotal moment for me. I think about it often – I’m not sure I ever digested that day – it was surreal.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Fullback Demetrius Taylor, 2010”
First off, what does the offseason look like for you? What are you up to now?
I live in Tampa here with my family. I’m here staying in shape and waiting to see where I’m headed next. Right now I’m enjoying time with my one-year old.
What made you decide to sign with the Steelers as a free agent last season?
For one, my familiarity with Arthur Smith after having played for him in Atlanta. That was a big draw. I like his offense and liked playing for him when he was the head coach. And who wouldn’t want to play for the Steelers and Mike Tomlin – it’s a top-notch organization and Tomlin is a great head coach.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Scotty Miller, 2024”
First off, what have you been up to since your time playing football?
I’ve done a number of things. Immediately after I hung up my cleats I knew I wanted to be an artist. I always wanted to be an artist – as a kid I was artistic – always doodling and doing projects. I was a big Shel Silverstein fan as a kid – I loved his books. I knew I wanted to do something like that.
I wrote three children’s books since then. Mally in the Middle was my first – all three have their own inspiration. One – Flower Flower Give Her Power – was about a friend of mine who is a single Black father and his experiences raising his daughter. Molly in the Middle – I had that idea while I was playing and shelved it until after football when the time was right. My third book –Numbers Don’t Lie – that was about protests and cops killing Black people – that had a math tie to it too.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Jordan Sullen, 2015-2016”
First off, what’s the offseason looking like for you?
I’m now in Houston – in my home base, here with my wife and daughter. I take my daughter to acrobatics, soccer, gymnastics, ballet…. And on the side my wife and I always have our family over. It’s just a time to hang out.
Did the Steelers or other teams talk to you yet about returning?
Not yet – my contract is up. Hopefully the Steelers will call – I’d love to go back. Well see how it plays out. I’m on the older side I know. There’s really no rush in signing with someone. I’ve been playing a long time and I have made good money. I know how it goes too – teams like to focus on their younger guys first.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Safety Eric Rowe, 2023-2024”
First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?
Now, I’m teaching algebra in the Virginia Beach school system. I got my degree in property management. After the NFL I did that in Ohio for a little bit then moved to Virginia Beach. The real estate market was bad then so going into teaching was easier.
How difficult was that post-NFL transition for you?
It wasn’t easy for me. It wasn’t real bad, but I just had to figure out what where I wanted to be next. Football was what I knew. Now I had to figure out if I should go into something different.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Cedric Humes, 2006”