First, can you let readers know about your coaching career – how you got started and why you enjoy most about it so far?

I have been coaching now for six years and I love every minute of it. It is time-consuming but worth it. I began coaching right after my last year of playing which was 2009 and I haven’t looked back since.

Ever since high school I knew I wanted to coach.  I viewed all the sports as a chess game. I looked for weakness and strengths and it all came natural to me. I enjoyed dissecting a game of any sport. I played for as long as I could and in he process I did scouting and player evaluations. I wanted the coaching world to see I was serious. I have four Grey Cup Rings. Two as a player and two as a coach. I’m currently coaching for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as defensive Backs coach and looking for my fifth ring.

What coaches and playing lessons have influenced your coaching style most, and why?

Tom Osborne, George Darlington, many high school coaches, Dave Richie, and Rod Rust, to name a few. The common thing between these men, was that they gave it to me straight. They didn’t sugar coat anything. If it was ugly, it was ugly. If it was great, then it was great. As a player I responded well to that and yes I carry that trait into my coaching style as  well.

You were drafted by the Steelers in ’95 but suffered a serious injury in camp that derailed your Steelers career. What happened and what did the team tell you when they released you?

The injury that may have killed one dream saved another.  While going through my rookie training  camp in May of 1995, my wife was in Nebraska on bed rest waiting for our first child’s September due date. We are two days out from playing our first preseason game and I get a call that my wife is being life-flighted to the hospital because she is in preterm labor and they need to be in a hospital with an NICU to attempt to save the baby. I had a choice: do I leave and give up a chance to make the team, or do I stay and fight for my family. We were twenty-two years old and this job was our health insurance and security for our family.

I didn’t say anything to anybody with the team and I went into my first preseason game knowing my wife is bleeding to death and my child is coming into this world  four months to soon. Doctors giving her less than 5% chance of survival. I walk into the stadium and the rest of the defensive backs are saying “play like you’ve been playing all camp”. I’m thinking ok that’s kind of strange. Coach walks over and says “you’re the corner on one dime”, which is a big deal.  Now think about what I’ve been going through back home with my wife, and I’m on the field with Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and André Reed.  Let alone the All Stars that where on defense.

The defense was on the field for the first time. I was lined up against Andre Reed. Thurman Thomas was the running back. Jim Kelly was under center. The ball was snapped. It was a screen to my side. I needed to force the play.  I feel like I’m in super slow motion. Kevin Green tips the ball, catches it and we score a defensive touchdown. Life is great. On the next kickoff they fumbled and I went to scoop the ball up. During the play I tore my ACL and MCL. In a split second it went from playing with All-Stars to a possible career ending injury and back to the reality of possibly losing my wife and child. As soon as the game was over I told the coach what was happening with my wife and was on a plane to see her and our new baby.

Due to injury the team kept me around so I could rehab and possibly play the following year.

As a rookie, what veterans helped you most as you adjusted to the NFL – both on and off the field? And how did they do so?

Believe it or not it was the two Colorado boys, Charles Johnson and Deion Figures.  I was with Charles the most. He was a worker and  he just kept me focused on what I needed to do. He encouraged me to keep fighting for a spot.

I remember speaking with Kevin Green one day at the Allegheny Center in the hallway. I asked him why he was staying in such an understated complex. He replied, “ I have everything I need in this apartment. It’s clean, furnished and suits my needs.” Then he went on to say “Don’t try to keep up with new fashion or where to live, support yourself and your family.” That was from an All Pro who had no clue of who I was or if I was going see the field but, he took the time.

After your time in the NFL, you found a great deal of success in the CFL, winning the East Division Rookie of the Year award. What enabled you to find that success in the CFL?

It was the passion and love I had for the game and I knew I was still able to play. If the NFL didn’t want me then I’ll play in a league where they do. So I played in the CFL and enjoyed every minute of it.

What about the CFL did you enjoy most – and did you have chances to return to the NFL after all of that success?

I enjoyed the college-like rivals between teams. Playing teams four or  five times a season and having the confidence that you can stop their top wide receiver. My biggest joy was my family watching me play my first and last game in the CFL. Can’t ask for anything better.

Over your thirteen-year professional career, you played in three different leagues and four different teams. What do you attribute your ability to overcome so many changes, and the injury, to? And do you think fans appreciate how much players have to go through to “find their way” in their professional careers as you had?

Overcoming all of those things was simple, because I watched my mom raise four boys by herself while working whatever job she could to keep food on the table. When I turned 15 and could start applying for jobs, my mom came to me and said it would help a whole lot if I got a job.  I looked at her and without hesitation I said if I don’t go pro then I’m going to be working the rest of my life so can I try to go pro. I knew in my heart I was going to be playing for a living. Another job wasn’t an option. She looked at me and said boy you’re crazy. My mom was my big inspiration  – I couldn’t fail.

They {fans} don’t have to appreciate it because it’s our choice to go through the challenges we do. I do think players would appreciate it if fans realized pro athletes are human and have a breaking point. Pro athletes are used to being judged their whole life and for most it’s motivating.

What advice would you give to players today entering the sport?

The sports entertainment business is a tough field and only the strong will last.  You may fake your way in but if your heart is not in it, you  won’t last. Work for what you want. You may not get it as soon as you think but it will come.

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