Fist, can you tell me what you’re up to since your time in the NFL?
Well I just recently retired- I couldn’t play anymore because of the knee injury I had in 2018. I’m developing real estate now – I bought one property and am close to closing in on another one. I’m just keeping that going.
I also work for EMG as a player development guy – that’s been going really well too.
Tell me about that role – and how playing has helped you in it?
I just help them with the on and off the field stuff. I’m just here to steer them in the right direction – to help them not make any of the same mistakes I may have made. To help them handle things the best way possible.
A lot of what I help guys with is just football terminology. I’ve played the game and understand the language and had the same schedule they do now. Sometimes guys are too tired or confused and don’t know what to do next. I’m here to serve them in the best way I can.
Stepping back – what made you decide to sign with the Steelers in 2018?
Shit – I was undrafted – I didn’t have a choice! I signed with San Francisco out of college and was there until the veteran mini-camp. It was my first time in the league – I didn’t understand the numbers game. They needed another offensive lineman so I got released. I guess it’s better than them signing a safety they liked better than me.
I was out all of the offseason after that. I had no idea what was going to happen next.
My agent tried to reassure me I’d get a call from a team. Then, on the last day teams were reporting to camp, my agent called me and told me I needed to get on the next flight out of Connecticut to Pittsburgh. I was like, “Can I have an hour to get ready?” But he said no – they needed me there right away.
So, I flew there. I was excited to go to a top-flight franchise like Pittsburgh.
Any idea why they wanted you?
I honestly have no idea why. Maybe they saw me play at Penn State. But I was grateful for the chance.
Anyone take you under their wing at all in Pittsburgh?
Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden – honestly the whole DB group. Coty Sensabaugh and Brian Allen too. There were a lot of characters there – it was a great room.
I was the new guy though. After the first or second week there I wanted to quit. I didn’t know many people there and we were hitting every day – I didn’t expect that – the practices were rough.
Why did you want to quit?
I am an introvert – I didn’t come into camp with everyone else. I still felt like the new guy there. I didn’t have a car and being in Latrobe, there wasn’t anywhere else to go so I stayed there the whole time. But then I broke up a pass in the first game against the Giants and broke up a pass my second game. Then I felt I was supposed to be there, It gave me the energy and confidence I needed.
What happened after that?
I went on IR for the year. I intercepted a pass against the Panthers then tore my groin on the play. It was the biggest play of my career then that happened. I would have scored a touchdown but had to limp out of bounds.
I was supposed to play the entire second half on defense and special teams too. Coach Tomlin said I was going to go in the rest of the game. I felt a strain in my groin earlier in the game but wanted to play out the game – then it tore after the interception. Mike T. said it was one of most memorable interceptions he’d seen in a while too.
What did he tell you after the injury?
He just told me to get healthy. I wasn’t on a long-term contract so I was expendable. He just told me I had to get healthy – that injured guys can’t do much. So I took the year to get healthy.
The next season I came back healthy but then blew out my knee – again to the Panthers. I threw away all of my Panthers stuff after that.
Any memories stand out most to you of your time in Pittsburgh?
Just on being in the locker room – Mike had a good hold on the locker room. There may have been celebrities from the fans’ perspective, but there were no celebrities inside the locker room. Everyone was treated fairly and there was good comradery. It was exciting to experience that fellowship with the Hall of Famers and rest of the players there.
The betting too. Guys bet on college games – on their alma maters. There was a lot of betting on guys’ college teams. Shazier – he won a lot of bets betting on Ohio State – I lost bets against him. Chickillo too.
Who were some of the bigger characters on the team?
The offensive linemen – they were goons but Foster, Pouncey and even DeCastro – they were funny guys, DeCastro was subtly funny – you would be surprised.
Justin Hunter and JuJu of course – the wide receivers were funny. And Morgan Burnett and Bud Dupree – Bud was probably the funniest of everyone.
Lastly, with Coach Tomlin just recently signing an extension, can you tell me more about your impressions of his coaching style?
He is just very transparent. Nothing is sugar-coated. If I had to start a business or a franchise and could choose any player or coach, I’d choose Mike to start it off. The respect he gives and demands from people – I’ve never seen it before. His leadership and transparency is a big reason for his success.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
