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 off, what’s the offseason plan for you?
Well, I have a baby coming in May so I’m looking forward to that! For now, I’m looking over my notes of my time in Pittsburgh – the playbook and techniques, trying to improve on those things. Even my notes from Cleveland – there are techniques I learned there that I can apply to my game still.
Soon I’ll go back home to Maryland and train with my brother and college coach.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Joey Fisher”
First, what have you been up to since football and how did you get started in this work?
When I played for the Steelers, I broke my ankle two years in a row. After Pittsburgh I went to Buffalo then broke my leg playing against the Steelers – I didn’t have great luck with Pittsburgh! I played in the league a couple of more years with Green Bay and Atlanta then retired in 2003.
After that I joined a steel company that produced structured steel and worked my way up to running the company when I was 33. I’m still in that business now though with a different company – Brown Strauss Steel. I’m the President there and we’re pushing our way East. Who knows, maybe we’ll be in Pittsburgh soon – it’ll come full circle.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Kris Farris, 1999”
First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL? Was the post-NFL transition difficult?
Well, I’m married and have grown kids now and live here in San Antonio working retail.
My oldest son Dimitri played in the NFL for two years and my nephew Trey is playing now for Atlanta.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Buffalo, Steelers Linebacker Erik Flowers, 2013”
First off, I know you’ve been coaching for a while now – can you let me know how you got started and what excited you about coaching?
When I retired after playing in Green Bay in 1998, I started up the House of Speed and trained professional athletes – we had 24 franchises and I did that for 23 years. Mostly though I kept feeling like I really wanted to go coach and mentor young men.
So I started coaching high school football at Aurora Christian High School and did that for 14 years – 10 as a head coach then four as an assistant coach helping out my brother. Then I went on and became the head coach at Aurora University.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Bills Wide Receiver Don Beebe”
First off, can you let me know how you got started working with the Falcons?
This is my second season working for the Atlanta Falcons. It’s been a great opportunity to see the other side of the game, working with a great owner like Arthur Blank. I’m thankful for the opportunity.
How did that get started?
I grew up in a football family of course – but growing up I never knew the role my dad had in life was so impactful as it was. We never placed that much emphasis on it as a family – I didn’t appreciate it until I got older.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Akil Blount, 2017”
First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
A little of this and a little of that. I and a partner opened upon some restaurants – in Raleigh-Durham and Baltimore. I’m also daddy-Uber – talkng my daughter to practices and school. I’m enjoying taking her to school and spending time with her while she’s still here.
How hard has the post-NFL adjustment been for you?
It was tough – it’s what you’ve been doing most of your life as a player – since I was eight years old. Then you get into your early 30’s and all of the sudden you can’t do it anymore – it’s taken away from you. Some have the chance to retire when they want and plan for their retirement but I had to retire abruptly. It was different – I didn’t get the chance to plan for it. So it was a tough adjustment.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Ravens Linebacker Adalius Thomas”
First, what you have you been up to since football?
Now that I’m retired my three boys run me ragged. One’s a Freshman in college, one’s a Senior in high school and one’s an eighth-grader.
I have my farm I work on and do sports radio as well. It’s just two hours a day so that’s easy – I work on the farm in the mornings then go into town and do the radio show. I’m not very good but it’s just like talking about sports in a bar anyway. It’s like I’m sitting on a barstool talking sports, which I do anyway! I’m lucky and blessed to have all of this.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Baltimore Nosetackle Kelly Gregg”
The Steelers family lost a number of players and others closely associated with the team. Here is a list of those players:
Sidney Thornton (September 2, 1954 – January 29, 2023)
“I didn’t understand how fortunate I was to be a part of a situation and organization like the one in Pittsburgh. People play so many years without ever getting to a Super Bowl and I got to two.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/sydney-thornton-steelers-running-back-1977-1982/
Marv Kellum (June 23, 1952 – February 4, 2023)
“It’s humbling. You don’t realize how lucky you are. I was talking to former Steeler Craig Bingham – I’d do it all again for free to make it to the Super Bowl.”
https://steelerstakeaways.com/marv-kellum-steelers-linebacker-1974-1976/
Continue reading “Who we lost in 2023:”
First off, what prompted you to sign with the Steelers – why Pittsburgh?
To be honest I didn’t have that many choices. I was on the practice squad in Atlanta and they grabbed me. I’m thankful they did – all the teammates I met around the league that played for Pittsburgh spoke highly of the team. When my agent hit me up and told me Pittsburgh wanted to sign me I was super-excited.
Did the 2021 Lions game where you had success against the Steelers play into it?
You’re 100% right – it definitely was a big factor I think in why I’m here. Mike T. harps on it all the time: “Own your film. You never know where it will take you.” We were struggling in Detroit that year but I played with grit and was fortunate to make plays against Pittsburgh. The conversations I had with Mike T. – I think that’s a big reason why I’m here. They have a long memory and I am happy I got their attention.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Godwin Igwebuike”
First off, can you let me know what made you decide to get involved in professional wrestling?
Growing up wrestling was the number one bonding activity between my dad and I. He was a big-time fan and we used to go to live shows together, There are pictures if me with my wrestling figures growing up. So wrestling was important to me.
I wanted to ask about how much of a grind the WWE can be – how do you navigate that constant travel especially with a family and kids?
Very carefully! I can honestly say that I wish I would have done it better from the start – I’m reprioritizing my life now though. The grind never stops especially as we travel more and do more international shows. I always joke that we would all do the work for free – it’s the travel we get paid for. Dealing with the messed-up flights and hotel reservations – that happens all the time.
Continue reading “Exclusive with WWE Announcer and Pittsburgh Native Corey Graves”