pittsburghsportsdailybulletin – Page 61 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Exclusive with Pittsburgh Artist Matt Speck

First, can you let us know where people can find your artwork and how you got started in the “Pittsburgh art world”?

Well, I own my own art business and you can find my work on Instagram @MattSPeckArt.

As a kid, I went through some tough times like a lot pf people do. Art was an escape from reality for me – it came natural to me. I did some small scale things for people – friends and family – and that caught on. I just wanted to give others some of what art did for me.

I did a mural in the Strip District on unity and racial issues and some of the Steelers came out and signed it. I asked them if they wanted me to do some custom cleats for them. Now some of those guys went from clientele to friends – guys I hang out with and are personal friends with.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Pittsburgh Artist Matt Speck”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Eli Rogers, 2015-2018

First, what’s been going on with you – what have you been up to this season?

Well I’m training right now – getting ready for when the next opportunity presents itself. I’m spending time with my family – catching up with my sisters and brother more. It’s been a blessing.

What’s been the hangup do you think in getting picked up by teams – what’s your agent telling you?

Well I had re-injured my knee and needed a scope for that – so that was a holdup. I expect some opportunities to open up soon though. I’ve been working out and am in great shape – better than I’ve ever felt. I’m just staying prepared.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Eli Rogers, 2015-2018”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Emil Boures, 1982-1985

First, can you let me k ow what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

Well, currently I’ve been working for Canon selling copiers throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult for you?

It was definitely an adjustment. Back when we played big money then was $100k, maybe $120K. Jobs after football paid maybe $35,000 to $40,000. So it was difficult finding a job that could fulfill that challenge you found playing football and that paid enough. That part was difficult – finding something you just wanted to do.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Emil Boures, 1982-1985”

Exclusive: Former Bengals Head Coach/player Bruce Coslet

First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since you’ve retired?

Well I’m just living my life – I’m retired of course and enjoying spending time with my grandchildren when I can see them. I live in Florida now and also get out and play some golf now and then.

I wanted to begin by discussing how you got started in coaching – what prompted your coaching start?

Bill Walsh is how I got started. I played for the Bengals for eight years and Bill was the offensive coordinator there – he and I became good friends. I retired from playing and had moved to California. I had just sold a chain of five delicatessens when Bill happened to call me in 1980. He asked if I would be interested in coaching – he had just started the coaching intern program and asked if I wanted to come in and coach during camp to see if I liked it.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Former Bengals Head Coach/player Bruce Coslet”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Pete Brewster, 1959-1960

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?

When I quit I did a couple of things. I got into the construction business – pouring concrete for basement walls and that sort of things here in Missouri. I mixed that in with a little fun. I have an RV as do my two daughters and we often go RV’ing locally here in Missouri – out to Branson or the state parks.

Was that post-NFL adjustment difficult for you?

No because during the offseason I worked down in Florida. We had a home in Ft. Lauderdale and my brother-in-law built homes there. So I worked for him in the offseason. I couldn’t justify just sitting around all Winter. We didn’t make much money then anyhow.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Pete Brewster, 1959-1960”

Exclusive with former Bengals Offensive Lineman and Bengals Broadcaster Dave Lapham

First, tell me about your media career and how that got started?

Well, went I went to Syracuse I started off as a pre-law major, but I decided I didn’t like the law books and studying law. I was playing football and thought that if I didn’t get into coaching maybe broadcasting would be a direction to go. I got my degree in PR and communications at the Newhouse School at Syracuse after that.

After that I tried to understand more about the business and did substituted some for Bengals radio during the week. Paul Brown after I retired asked if I wanted to color for their radio broadcasts so I interviewed and got the job.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Bengals Offensive Lineman and Bengals Broadcaster Dave Lapham”

Exclusive with Tim Rooney, Director of Pro Personnel for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972-1979

First, let me know what you have been doing since your football days?

I’m fully retired. We go to Florida in the Winter usually. But outside of that I’m just here with my grandkids. I like to golf, Swim, and my wife and I go on walks. We like to travel usually one or two times a year and see our son in New Jersey, but of course now we’re grounded.

I had three successive back surgeries a few years ago and that set me back a year, but I can walk, golf – I can still do those things now.

As a kid, what memories of your time with the Steelers stand out to you most?

My father worked in the ticket office so we would be very actively involved with the team – we’d g to games, and when I was a Sophomore in high school – around 1955, when the team trained at St. Bonaventure – I would go work at training camp. I was one of the camp boys – I’d do whatever they needed me to do there and on Sunday I’d work as a waterboy.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Tim Rooney, Director of Pro Personnel for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972-1979”

Exclusive: John Boccacino of Buffalo Rumblings

First, you’ve been winning a lot of close games this season against good teams – what’s been that big difference for you guys this year?

I just think it’s all about Josh Allen. He was the most scrutinized and criticized Buffalo player going into this year. Was he good enough was the question. A lot of the time he carried the day last year but then he’d make a bonehead play – like that reckless backward pass in the playoffs. But then he’d come back and make a great pass to John Brown. He was just too up and down.

So what’s changed?

This year his mechanics have changed – he worked hard in the offseason with quarterback guru Jordan Palmer. Palmer filmed him in 15 different camera angles to look at his mechanics and learned that Josh Allen wasn’t using his hips properly when he threw the ball – his shoulders and arms beat his hips when he released the ball which accounted for many of the poor and under-thrown passes.

Continue reading “Exclusive: John Boccacino of Buffalo Rumblings”

Exclusive with Inaugural NFL Hall of Fan member Rick Holman

First, tell me about how the nomination into the Ford Fan Hall of Fame got started?

Well, before the last home game in 2012, I got an email from Steelers Nation Unite telling me that I was one of 12 people to have attended every game that year. You had to check in with the Steelers app – like an “I’m here” thing, and they can track to see you went to the games.

Well, I had pneumonia but I had to go. They wanted us to go down on the field for a drawing -one of us would win a trip to the Super Bowl. I was sick – I wasn’t supposed to go out for more than 30 minutes, but I had a streak of 17 years – never missing a preseason, regular season or playoff game at Heinz Field. It was at 183 games. The last game I missed was at Three Rivers.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Inaugural NFL Hall of Fan member Rick Holman”

Exclusive with former Steelers Safety Cornell Gowdy, 1987-1988

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

Well, I’m currently the sale manager for a Toyota dealership. I’ve been doing that for four years now. I’m hoping to get back to the NFL as a scout. I did that for 15 years or so. I spoke with my former GM in New Orleans who was associated with the AAF now, but they were still figuring out their scouting process.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Safety Cornell Gowdy, 1987-1988”