Author: pittsburghsportsdailybulletin

First, can you let me know what led you to retire from football?

Yeah, I am just going through a lot right now after all that stuff with all of the lawsuits and stuff going on with what happened with my ex-girlfriend. There was a lot of things the police and people got wrong that caused a big blemish on my life. I just needed to regroup and get over the depression I’m experiencing now. I’m taking medication and just trying to get over the depression I’m in now and get past all of that stuff.

What have you been doing since your time in Pittsburgh?

I played some after Pittsburgh but never got the chance to develop like guys like Bud were given. So now I’m just hanging out with my family…helping my dad plant trees and staying in shape. Trying to work through things. Maybe I come back and make an impact with a team next year, I don’t know.

Looking back, were you aware of the Steelers’ interest in you before they drafted you?

Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert came to my pro day so I knew they were interested. I think they could see my athleticism. That I could work well in open space. I think that led to me getting drafted by them. Tomlin told me then he thought they would draft me but didn’t know what round.

Were you excited that they took you?

It was an emotional day. My family and I were excited, but I was down at the same time.  I thought I’d get drafted higher than the 212th pick, to be honest. I thought maybe in the third round.

Did anyone help mentor you when you got there – and if so, how?

First and foremost was Joey Porter. He was a mentor on and off the field. He changed my outlook and the way I played. He taught me how to be a dog – he made me a more vicious player. It wasn’t just what he said, but how he acted too. He got me fired up and ready to play. He also taught me how to run – to open up my hips.

Arthur Moats too. He was like family to me. He showed me you can have play in the NFL and still have a solid family and be a positive person every single day. How to kill them with kindness.

Was it frustrating not getting playing time at first?

I had a good motor – I thought I could play more. It was frustrating. But I became quite the playboy while I was there. I got lost in the sauce – caught up in the moment. I shouldn’t have let getting paid big money go to my head, but I did. I think a lot of young guys that get money all of the sudden let that happen to them like I did.

Now I’m learning the art of humbleness. That’s where I am now. I’m trying to find my way. Joey tried to show me the way then – to show me the importance of good family values.

Did Coach Tomlin speak to you?

He did – but those talks didn’t go well that last two times. He told me I needed to man up. That I needed to stop with the excuses and that it was all in my head. That I needed to overcome my excuses – like my dad always being disappointed in me, stuff like that. I felt like he didn’t care about what I was going through then though. He didn’t care what was going on in my head.

What memories stand out to you know about your time in Pittsburgh?

Some of the greatest moments of my life were when I was in Pittsburgh. I was there for five years. Winning the Swag Award in 2017 – that was a fun time. We’d mess around and have fun. Me, Bud, Tyler Matekevich were all close. And I was close with Ryan Shazier and speak to him sometimes too.

Scoring a touchdown was cool too – I remember running as fast as I could after Tyler blocked the kick and jumping on the ball in the endzone.

And all the sacks stand out. Especially the one I had on Zak Prescott. I think I was a good pass rusher and was on an upward track before I retired.

A lot of guys there were impacted by free agency – as were you. How did you deal with that?

It’s stressful being in that business of seeing guys come and go. I think I handled it the wrong way sometimes. I think the stress – I handled it poorly at times and took advantage of some people – instead of just going out and being a simple man.

You had experienced free agency in a sense twice in Pittsburgh…

Yeah – the first time I wanted to stay and wanted to be loyal to the Steel City. New England wanted me to play the same role as a backup that the Steelers had me playing.

The second time was the decision of Mike Tomlin, Colbert and Rooney. In my exit meeting they told me they’d keep me then they cut me a month later. They never said why – I had no idea what was going on. I felt blindsided.

Did you ask Coach Tomlin what happened?

I was going through a lot. I think he could see the pain in my eyes but he didn’t care. All of my life I tried to make everyone else happy but I was going through hell. Now I’m just trying to regroup and get past it all.

Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.  To order, just click on the book:

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

We’ve been in South Florida for the last five years. My wife and I moved here from Columbus, Ohio with our two kids. We didn’t want that cold Winter life of Ohio!

I managed the guest experience and security for the Dolphins and Marlins for three years. From soccer to tennis to Super Bowls and college championships.  I managed the security and guest experience for some of the biggest events here in South Florida. South Florida is a global destination – we have world class entertainment here.

Also, for the last six months I have also started as the Senior HR Manager for Coral Springs Dental here, in charge of HR, OSHA, HIPAA and other standards.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back LaMonte Coleman, 1995”

First, tell me a bit about what you’ve been doing since your time coaching?

I’m the CEO and owner of City on My Chest – it’s a custom apparel company. We make t-shirts that represent any city around the world. We opened up our first store in 2020 in Norfolk, Virginia. We’re growing rapidly – I’m actively looking for more space now.

The meaning behind the work is that we’re trying to help show people that they can empower their own community. They can be proud of their communities. No matter where you’re from you can feel proud of your community.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Coaching/Scouting Intern Tommy Reamon Jr., 2014”

First of, what have you been up to lately since you retired from playing football?

I’m just happy now being a dad and watching my older son play at Penn State and my younger son play here at North Allegheny.  I stayed in Pittsburgh because I still love it here and am enjoying being the best dad I can be. Watching my sons play football has given me the best joy I have had in a long while.

Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult for you in any way?

No – football wasn’t my life. It was just how people looked at me. I wasn’t lost when football was over if that’s what you are asking. I know some guys are but I always knew there was a deadline on all of that stuff. My body told me my time was done and I was fine with that. I’m enjoying watching my kids, golfing – I’m enjoying this time that I’ve had now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker and Coach Joey Porter, 1999-2006; 2015-2016”

First, I know there are many stories of your time in Cleveland and trade to Pittsburgh after you were drafted.  Tell me what happened, from how you remember it?

Yes, thank you. I played quarterback at Pitt. I was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, but they wanted me to play defensive back in the NFL.  I would throw the ball around in practice and I was good. I knew what I was doing – how to drop back and my footwork.  I don’t think Cleveland liked that. I guess I had too much promise for a Black quarterback during those times!

So, since Cleveland saw that I wanted to play quarterback, they decided to trade me.  They didn’t believe I could have enough training to play even though I played quarterback all through high school and in college.  I felt I did. The Steelers had wanted to draft me so when I was available they traded for me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back/Quarterback Henry Ford, 1955”

First, what are you up to now? 

Currently I’m a free agent. I still have a lot left in the tank and am ready to play. I have a small trucking company I run as well – when I come home after working out I work on that.

But I’m staying prepared. I train every day two times a day. I’ve had some interest from NFC and AFC teams. It just takes that one call. Teams are one play or one injury away from bringing me in, and I’ll be ready when they do. I’m eager and hungry and I think a team will be happy to get someone like me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety J.J. Wilcox, 2017”

First, what have you been doing with yourself since you retired in 2017?

Since I’ve been done playing – it’s been over five years now – I’m still trying to figure out what to do full-time. I’ve dabbled in coaching – helping receivers prepare for the combine and pro days – that sort of thing.

The last couple of seasons I’ve been doing some media stuff too – working for the local NBC affiliate doing a weekly spot on TV.  There may be more opportunity there. I don’t want to coach at the NFL or college level. I always told myself while I was playing that the last thing I wanted to do was spend more time on football after I played than when I played. That can happen as a coach. I have three young kids and I don’t want them to not see me at all.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Lance Moore, 2014”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time playing football?

I’ve been working at International Paper now for the last 25 yeas. I had thyroid issues when I was playing that forced me to stop playing. I didn’t know what I was going to do next but I went with a friend for an interview there and that’s how I got started.

How was the post-football transition for you under those circumstances?

It was difficult – it wasn’t planned. When the hyper-thyroid issues happened I lost too much weight – I had to stop playing and that was hard not having a say in how you stop. I had to deal with that and at the same time I had to figure out how to earn an income. I just got lucky I found the job I did.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Darryl Ford, 1992”

First, tell me about your coaching work at Raw Talent in Columbus and how you got started with that?

I do speed and strength training and football-specific skills work. Raw Talent started really in Cleveland in 2005 – by Mark Harris. Mark trained me, Denzel Ward, Shaq Washington, Connor Cook and others. We expanded to Columbus and that’s where I work from.

What coaches helped shape the way you approach your work with athletes today?

Mark – especially on the training aspect. I learned a lot about technique and style from him. Looking back in college too, Coach Meyer taught me a lot about why he did things and how to do them. I watched what he did to prepare and liked a lot of the “isms” he had. He knew how to make things make sense by being pure and blunt. You couldn’t run from things with him – you had to go through the fire to build yourself up. He used to tell us “Some do, some don’t.” He’d have his thumb up at do and down and don’t. There were no gray areas with him – you had to choose whether you were going to do it or not.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Doran Grant, 2015”