pittsburghsportsdailybulletin – Page 94 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Exclusive with Former NFL Scout/Steelers Radio Host Matt Williamson

First, how do you think the social distancing issues are going to affect teams and the draft this year?

I’m not real dialed-in to the technology teams are using, but communication has to be a big issue. Draft meetings happen a lot this time of year traditionally and they are more effective with everyone in the same room going over their position boards – battling over players – those battles are important and can’t work as well battling over Skype or whatever people are using.

On draft night, it should work out ok as long as the internet doesn’t go down or there aren’t problems with whatever software they are using. There was an idea that teams should all get one timeout on draft day so they can call Goodeell in case somethings goes wrong – I actually think that’s a good idea.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Chris Carter, 2011-2013

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

I just accepted a job in tech actually – with StubHub on the business side in ticket sales. I retired from the NFL last year after an eight-year run. It was a great run for me.

It’s funny – of all the teams I played for, my family never had a team they loved until I got to Pittsburgh. Now they are Steelers fans for life! How the Rooneys treated me – they got me doing internships while I was there – I got my Masters while I was playing in Pittsburgh. The owners – Tull, Paul – they were the ultimate mentors for me. They stayed by my side even after I left Pittsburgh and helped me with internships – to help me with my career. I have nothing but love for them.

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Exclusive with Attorney Nasischa Anderson Malone

First, tell me a bit about your background and how you got involved in fighting for players’ disability benefits?

Well, I started practicing law in 20001. I was in a big firm for a few years, then started my own practice. I started off doing probate, estate planning, and personal injury work. My husband is Alfred Malone – he played for the Texans and Green Bay and retired in 2001. In 2014 I started getting directly involved in helping him with his disability claims for his issues. I saw his progression – his health decline as we dated. He had a number of health issues due to his playing time – he dislocated his knee in the UFL and that finally ended his career, but before that he broke his hand, fingers and his back. I saw him on the couch with icepacks on his back every day – sometimes for the whole day. Just in pain – sometimes in tears.

I didn’t get it then. I didn’t see the whole picture and I didn’t know much about helping with disability claims then.

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Exclusive with J.T. Wall, former Steelers Fullback, 2003-2004

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been up to since your time in the NFL and how you got started coaching?

Well, like a lot of guys, I was in a crazy place after football. I still wanted to play in the NFL but there were no NFL teams that thought I could play. But I had to stay ready just in case. I had six or seven tryouts over the next two years, and in the meantime I did speed and agility and strength training for high school athletes here at home. It kept me in the game, so to speak. I kept working out and staying n shape. I was ready to go in case I got a call.

I did that for two-to-three years and then got a job as the athletic director for a recreational center. I still did the personal training as well on the side. Then, in 2009 a coaching job came up where I graduated from high school – at John Milledge Academy. My mom was in education her entire life, and she told me I should get into coaching. Well, a lot of people told me that over the years and I didn’t listen to them. But I finally listened and gave it a look.

I met with my college coach and we talked for a long time about being a coach. The last thing he said to me stuck with me. He said that most people coach their whole life to get an opportunity to coach at home. This was a unique opportunity to start at home. So I gave it a shot. And I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s fun, seeing the kids through their eyes develop and transform over four-to-eight years in the program, depending if they started in middle school.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Todd Spencer, 1984-1985

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

Well after football, I had a hard time adjusting to the working world. I didn’t finish with my degree.

So, I got to working with kids in group homes after a friend of mine helped me find the job. It was the House of Champions – my friend was a former athlete from USC who believed in emphasizing positivity with the kids. I also became a foster parent to two of the kids – twins – who are both now successful, married with kids.

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Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Cameron Heyward

First – tell me about the Heyward House- why you chose his charity and what it’s about?

I started about five years ago – I saw guys like Troy {Polamalu} and Brett (Keisel} – how they got involved in the community. I didn’t know how but I knew I wanted to get involved too. I worked with my family and started the Heyward House to help children who were at-risk, the Southeastern Brain Tumor Association and the Asthma Institute. Those are causes near and dear to my heart. As you know, my dad had a brain tumor and I wanted to help people who had those issues.

Children at risk – these are crazy times and I think people don’t realize that this is still the biggest need we have. Just providing them social activities and working with the Boys and Girls Club where my dad grew up attending. If not for that my dad may never have been on a path to get to the NFL.

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Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Chris Wormley

First, how are you handling the trade and the logistics amidst all this craziness – how is the team helping?

It’s definitely a strange time. I had my physical last Monday at the Redskins offices – they were a neutral party the Steelers trusted – the guy there worked with the Steelers for a number of years before.

I haven’t been to Pittsburgh yet – I’m still in Baltimore – quarantined here. It’s been a challenge time finding a place in Pittsburgh – people just aren’t renting or showing places right now.

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Exclusive with Steelers Safety Tyree Kinnel

First, tell us why you signed with Pittsburgh ? What sold you on them and vice-versa?

After the XFL I just wanted to get back into the NFL as fast as I could. Pittsburgh was the first to show interest and they wanted me to be there to compete and go through camp. Me and my agent talked about that and other opportunities and thought this was a great opportunity for me to compete and make a team.

Any idea what role they expect you to play – what safety spot?

Any role right now – anything to make the team. I know special teams is the first way I can make the team, but I have to play at a high level there and at safety. My main thing is to learn the playbook quickly and go as fast as I can there.

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Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Cavon Walker

First, what made you decide to choose the Steelers as a team to sign with after the XFL experience – you had some choices?

I just feel like my XFL experience and previous NFL experience helped me show teams that I have what it takes to make it in the NFL. I think they can see what they have in me and know I can help.

As for Pittsburgh, they have a great defensive line coach and great front – and a great tradition. I was excited to sign with them,

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Walter Rasby, 1994, 2004-2005

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since you retired from the NFL?

Well, right now I’m doing some real estate work, like a lot of guys end up doing. That, as well as some logistics investment in things like trucking. I kind of always wanted to do real estate since I retired. I ran for the hills for a while when the recession hit – its an eat what you kill job and there wasn’t much to eat then!

Why both lines of work?

Well, with logistics, I just always wanted multiple sources of income. And even in a recession, if you’re positioned correctly you’ll always have work. No matter what, goods always have to be delivered by someone.

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