First, can you let readers know what you have been doing since you’re time in the NFL?

I’m, in media. I’m a producer and analyst for NFL Films and the NFL Network. I’m also the producer for ESPN College Football.

How did that get started?

I tried to get in front of the camera, but if you’re not a big name former athlete it’s hard. I found a niche not a lot get into. I was an imposing guy – I have an MBA in Healthcare Management and own a nursing school.  I wanted to do something I love too.

I’m one of maybe ten guys that got into this. Not many people go in to media trying to learn to be a producer as an athlete. I have insight into the game that most TV people don’t have because I played it. I interned at NFL Films – knowing TV and football makes me a commodity now.

How hard was it for you to adjust to life after the NFL?

It was pretty hard.. I couldn’t see it then but my family could. My wife and I almost broke up because of it. It’s a lot like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – many of the same things as guys that go to Iran and Iraq. Not to say it’s anything like almost losing your life I mean, but just mentally. Being out of what you have been doing for all of your life – what defines you – it’s like losing a big part of your life. You go from being the man, to just a man.

You signed with the Steelers as a free agent in 2003. What brought you to Pittsburgh?

Kevin Colbert… He brought me into Detroit when he was there in 1999. He had Hartings and Batch then. Me and Charlie were tight there. Once I left the Giants, he gave me a call and had me come in for a workout to see if I was in shape.

I fit the prototype for a the guy who comes in to use as a cheap, smart guy to mentor others. I understood the game and could play multiple positions – center, guard, tackle… We had a lot of injuries then, so I fit that mold of a guy who could do it all. With me, they only needed to dress one guy instead of two. There weren’t many people who could play all three positions like I could.

How hard was it to come in and play the role of the mentor – teaching others to play the positions when you still wanted to play?

It was definitely hard. I was still a competitor. I wanted to play. But I also understood my role.  I was long in the tooth – that was my ninth year in the league. And they clearly defined my role before they signed me.  They understood I wanted to play but wanted me to mentor the younger guys. Colon, Max (Starks), Trai Essex, Kemoeatu…my job was to keep those guys out of trouble. To keep the coaches from having to focus too much on them.

What did you help them most with?

We had a real good offensive line then – the coaches really wanted to concentrate on the starters. I would teach the younger guys the little things – the intangibles. Like controlling weight. Cowher wanted them to focus on being ready. That it was more of a marathon than a sprint. In college, you play at most maybe twelve games. In the NFL, you play four preseason games, sixteen regular season games, then the playoffs. That’s a lot more games. Guys hit the wall as rookies. I taught them how to keep their bodies in shape. How to watch and break down film…

You were actually a good basketball player in high school – why did you choose football?

I played college for a year too. I just lost too much weight. There aren’t many 6’5″ centers in the NBA! I figured I might as well go where I’d get paid. It wasn’t a hard choice (laughing).

You were there for Bill Cowher’s last season. Could you see him winding down as coach – were there any signs he would retire?

You could kind of see it yeah. He was a fierce competitor – he was a former player. He understood us, but we understood him too. Even in 2004, you could kind of see it.  It was wearing on him. He was one of those guys that was totally in when he competed. We heard some whispers from those that were close to him. His daughters were getting older and it was hurting his family. We heard whispers from guys – like Jerome (Bettis). Cowher said we needed to win the Super Bowl for Jerome. But Jerome said we needed to win it for Cowher.

What do you think of the way the game has changed?

Football is football, but I think the game is set aside for different kinds of players now.  These guys aren’t rough and tough like they used to be.  Guys were tougher then. Haley was a beast, for example. No one can hold a candle to those guys now.

Even guys like J.J. Watt?

Watt is maybe the closest. But he wouldn’t be even in the top five of guys I faced in my career. He’s not like Reggie White, Chris Doleman, Sam Mills…

What are some of the funnier memories you can share of your time in Pittsburgh?

Jeff Reed’s locker was next to mine. He’d do some crazy things. I remember when James Harrison first was brought in and got cut. You could tell he was good, but he got in with the wrong crowd. He didn’t work hard and took days off. He came back the next season – man, no one could block him. Marvel Smith … no one wanted to block him. They all got Harrison-itis! I ended up drawing the short straw a lot and got stuck having to block him. It made me a better player.

When we played Cleveland and that running back – Green – was mouthing off to Bussy (Bettis), I remember telling Joey Porter that that rookie was disrespecting Bussy. He said. “You’re right!”. Next thing, the fight happens and Joey gets kicked out of the game. Harrison comes in and he gets three sacks. You remember those little things that happen.

I remember when we played New England when they had that winning streak going. Right before half time Reed kicks a 46-yard field goal, but I clutched my fist and they called me for offsides. Reed missed the field goal afterwards. When I saw there were only a couple of seconds left before the half I ran to the locker room before Cowher saw me. But he saw me running and chased after me. Hampton, Hines, Porter were all in his way as he was running up the steps after me – he almost knocked those guys down chasing me. He was yelling at me when he caught up to me “You’re wrong”” he was yelling and cussing me out. Hines and Casey were laughing as he cussed me out. It didn’t seem funny then, but now… I still remember days later Casey and those guys laughing at me, telling me that Cowher almost knocked them down the steps chasing me!

Any last thoughts for readers?

The Steelers knew how to bring in the right players to fit their attitude. They brought in players to fit their mold. it was easy to get those guys motivated and engaged. I really appreciate that aspect of my time there.

Steelers Takeaways fundraising drive!

Help keep these free interviews coming! If you can, please donate as little (or as much!) as you like by contributing to Steelers Takeaways here:

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pittsburghsports

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