Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!
More than 1,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff, media and more with those that played in the 50’s through today’s current roster.
First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
You know what they say – life is about relationships. Cody Risien and George Lilja were friends of mine from Cleveland and they got me into the medical MRI scanner business – selling those. They were booming at the time. I’ve been in that business ever since.
It’s not as thrilling as the NFL but not as nerve-racking either!
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns Defensive Lineman Dave Puzzuoli”
First what are you up to now?
I decided not to return to the CFL for personal reasons. We went to the Grey Cup last year and lost to Winnipeg. I decided not to go back for a while. But now I’m looking forward to going back and re-joining the CFL or XFL and jumpstarting my career.
In the meantime I’m working in law enforcement – doing executive protection and fugitive recovery here in Atlanta. I got my degree in criminal justice so this was a natural fit, and it gives me the flexibility to continue training while I gain experience in the field I want to pursue when I am done with football.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Outside Linebacker Keion Adams, 2017-2018”
First, can you let me know how you got started compiling stats on NFL referees for NFL Ref Stats?
It really started by necessity. I make Vegas my home most of the year and I’d meet up with friends – Scott Kellen who runs Sixth Sense Sports and Bernie Fratto who’s on Fox Sports Radio. We’d meet up at the M Casino on Sundays at their sportsbook to watch games. We noted the refs and their impact on games but didn’t follow it that much. When calls were made we’d hear that is was good for the home team or the over-under, but that was about it. I wanted to learn more about the referees and how they called games.
I knew there were sites for baseball that covered the size of strike zones for umpires and figured there would be similar sites for NFL football refs, but there was nothing remotely close to what I was looking for. So I figured I’d start one on my own.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Joe Gibbs of NFL Ref Stats”
First, can you talk a bit about what you got involved with after football?
Well, I went back to school and got my Masters from Pitt and taught for four years. After that I went back to grad school at Duquesne and got a degree in counseling and ended up being a high school guidance counselor in Pittsburgh for 30-plus years.
Now, I’m recovering from a heart attack I had a while ago and walking around the house every day to get back in shape!
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Center John Cenci, 1956”
First of all, how did the National Scouting Combine begin?
It’s similar to the NFL Combine. I was in the NFL Combine in 2000, then fast-forward, I started this National Combine event. Every event says they can get you to the NFL and all jockey for that position. But not every player can be an NFL player. I’ve seen a lot of players and not everyone can be at the top of the pyramid.
I was with the Patriots and got hurt and made my way back to the NFL by playing in leagues like the AFL. I saw players who played for the love of the game. By 2010 I had four kids and knew my game was coming to an end.
First off, can you tell me about the work you’re doing now for high school recruits?
I started up a new program to help kids with recruiting. After I stopped playing I got into coaching and that was sticky for me. I enjoyed it – but I couldn’t help kids like I wanted to to get into schools and continue to play. So I used the network I built up of coaches – from high school to the NFL – to help advocate for kids. It’s hard to get recruited if there’s no one in your corner.
When you have someone outside of your inner circle – not a parent or coach – who can help you and give you a different point of view, who can help you train and give you the good and the bad – that really helps. I was a highly recruited player out of high school and I loved the recruiting process. I learned a lot from it and think I can help kids. A lot of kids go under-recruited – maybe they are from smaller schools or just don’t have anyone to advocate for them. I’m consistently cycling through film and making calls to get kids into schools.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Karlos Williams, 2016”
First off, why coaching and what’s your ultimate coaching goal/wish?
I wanted to develop guys. I love the game – I always had a passion for the game of football.
After the NFL I was in the ministry as a youth pastor. I was content and happy trying to make a difference with the kids then.
Then Dabo Sweeney – he was the head coach at Clemson at the time – he called me. I was still active in the Clemson community. He said “Listen. Do what you’re doing, developing young men. Just do it in the game of football.” He told me I’d be a great coach. The seed was planted for me to coach already by Dan Brooks, my position coach at Clemson. He told me that I connected well with players and was a great teacher. And coaching is teaching.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Miguel Chavis, 2011”
First, can you let us know what you have been up to since your playing days?
Right now I’m enjoying being a father. I have five boys – four play football and one plays basketball. My two oldest are at Wyoming and two are in high school. That’s my priority right now.
How has the post-NFL transition been for you? I know some have an easier time than others.
I’m still making the transition, ever since I retired really. I had my ups and downs but as long as I have my priorities in order and have a good solid spiritual relationship in order, I am ok.
But you are right, it is an easier transition for some than others.
Continue reading “Exclusive: Former Jaguars Wide Receiver Jimmy Smith”
First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your NFL time?
I got married to my lovely wife Robin and had three boys. They all played football through the collegiate level. One graduated from Appalachian State where I played and two played at NC State – one of those transferred to South Carolina.
What did you do after football?
After football I still had a love for the game and took up coaching. I coached my kids’ Pop Warner teams until they grew out of it then went on to coach in high school for seven years.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Tommy Dawkins, 1987”
First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since football?
Just working, It’s been a different kind of transition for me – just getting over a lot of stuff. Not in a bad way – I just kept a certain face on for a long time and decided it was time to move forward.
What kind of stuff?
Stuff about my sexuality. It wasn’t fun to go through that over my career.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Kevin Fogg, 2014-2015”