Author: pittsburghsportsdailybulletin

Here are some select quotes from interviews with players who have praised Donnie Shell for his on-field play and locker room leadership and mentoring:

Tony Dungy: “Noll put me in a room with Donnie Shell and told me  Donnie would teach me how to play the position. He told me to do what he does. Donnie taught me how to be a Christian – a good man and husband as well as a competitor.”

Larry Griffin: “Donnie Shell was there too. He mentored me at safety – to see the scheme – what the offense was trying to do to us. I played a bit of cornerback and safety so Shell and Woodruff both helped me the most.”

Joe Greene: “I’d argue L.C., Donnie Shell, and Andy Russell all should be in the Hall of Fame. “

Rod Woodson: “My roommate as a rookie was Donnie Shell. That was great for me.  We’d go to the hotel before games and go over the gameplan.  His biggest advice was about being a pro both on and off the field.”

Continue reading “Congratulations to Donnie Shell for being Voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame”

The players, Steelers and rival coaches who have praised Bill Cowher in our interviews is endless – here are some select quotes and memories they have of Bill:

 

Brian Billick: “Bill was very gracious and respectful towards me. He didn’t try to demean me as a new coach.  After we won the Super Bowl. he saw that rivalry grow and we all bought into it. But compared to other coaches, while I was known for saying some stupid shit at times about other guys, that never happened with Bill. I never went back and forth like that with him.”

Marvin Lewis: “I learned a great about coaching and how to deal with players at a professional level from Dick LeBeau, Dom Capers, and Bill Cowher.”

Dave Shula: “I remember at an owners meeting, Leslie and I challenged Bill and Kaye to a tennis match, Bill just got new shoes and he was bleeding – you could see his socks. But he wouldn’t quit…”

Ron Zook: “Working with Coach Cowher, and meeting with and getting to know the Rooneys – that was a great experience for me.”

Dave Hoffman: “I remember when Cowher finally had to let me go. Here was this great big, strong guy in front of me, his eyes watering up. It wasn’t easy for him. I was almost comforting him during the talk, He was a unique man. He had a good Christian heart.”

Continue reading “Congratulations Bill Cowher on Being Selected to the NFL Hall of Fame”

First, what have  you  been involved with lately  -family, work, etc.

Well, I moved 19 times and my kids have gone to 28 schools. So I’m making up time with my family after all of that time I spent in the NFL. And I also help out some of the coaches here in Cleveland at Notre Dame College. So I’ve had fun helping them too.

Your work on the Inner Circle is well-known and lauded – how did that start and what you think about the legacy and impact its having on players today?

Well, it started when a player came to me who was on drugs. We helped save many players’ lives because Art Modell paid for all of their treatments. It all started with Art because his son had the same type of problems so he helped the players who had issues. He helped eight-to-10 players on those Cleveland teams.

The Inner Circle Foundation is now a nonprofit that serves at risk kids in the Cleveland Metropolitan District. Dr. Greg Collins worked with me to create the first substance prevention program in the NFL and created Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation 10 years ago. You can learn more about it at coachsams.org

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns Head Coach Sam Rutigliano”

First, let us know what you’e been doing lately?

Well, first of all everyone seems to be worried about my health. I had a heart transplant three years ago and it went without a problem. I was very fortunate though – I was in my last hours – maybe minutes of life – when the heart showed up. It had to be the right fit and blood type and I got it just in time. I’m blessed beyond words.

It’s funny – the doctor made a mistake when he was talking to me about the heart. He said it’d take two hours to get the heart and two hours to get back, and I needed it in me by four hours latest. I did the calculation and actually figured that two hours from me was very likely Pittsburgh – so I could have the heart of a Terrible Towel waving Pittsburgh Steelers fan in me right now!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Bengals Head Coach Sam Wyche”