Category: All Articles

First, can you let me know about your post-NFL career and how you got started?

Well, I always tell folks that having a long career in the NFL can be a blessing and a curse. I was blessed with three years in the NFL and one in the CFL. I retired at the age of 25 and lived a dream. Football was something I loved but not what I was put on this Earth to do.

After I retired I worked as a volunteer for the Pitt athletic department then decided to enroll at CMU for their MBA program.  It was the best investment in myself I ever made. I gained insight into the world of finance and met some of the smartest people I had ever met in my life.  It was as big of a learning experience as sitting in the Steelers locker room next to Bettis and Kordell.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Wide Receiver Malcolm Johnson, 1999-2000”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?

I started my job here at Riverside City College as the Athletic Director in January of 2021. It’s a two-year community college with over 500 student athletes across 19 sports.  My job is to serve our college by providing the best experience possible for the student-athletes, coaches and staff.  

We don’t have athletic scholarships or massive crowds, so we are very proud of our transfer rates to four-year colleges for our student-athletes and our tradition of athletic success.

Currently, we have two former RCC players in the NFL (JC Jackson-New England and Travis Jonsen-Detroit), Jesse Chavez won a World Series this year in Atlanta, and we had a track athlete in the recent Tokyo Olympics.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Payton Williams, 2000-2001”

First, I know you’ve been very involved in the media business even while you played, and especially now. How did that start for you?

Certainly. I always had a real passion for broadcasting. I got my journalism degree at Georgia which is one of the best schools for that in the country. I wanted to get a degree in broadcast journalism but playing football required a lot of my time and I couldn’t get the broadcasting credit hours I’d need to do that while I played, so I became a telecommunications major – focusing on the business side of the media business.

As a player I always had a lot of respect for media guys, but I knew as a punter I had to deal with the stigma of having to prove my worth, and that held true. I met with my agent while I was in Pittsburgh and he told me I should get involved and do radio before I retired – so I did that, writing – all to help give me the chances I have now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Punter Drew Butler, 2012-2013”

First, I know you just went back and finished your degree at Tuskegee. What made you decide to do so?

I always wanted to do it. I speak to the kids-  speak to my kids  – explaining the importance of a degree. I was a late round pick out of Tuskegee and there’s a lot that needs to happen to make you able to get drafted by an NFL team. It takes a lot to get there – I didn’t have the chance to finish getting my degree before I was drafted.

But, I was tired of telling people I attended Tuskegee instead of saying I graduated from Tuskegee. And I had too much competition once I got to the NFL to be able to go back and spend time getting my degree.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Ken Woodard, 1987”

First, what’s been the plan for you and what’s been going on lately?

Well, I’ve been working out and staying in shape – training every day. I just had my first son – he was born November 30th.

So sleeping well!

Ha yeah!  I’m staying in shape – staying optimistic. I still love the game and get up every morning at six am to lift and train – doing what I normally would do and just trying to see what will happen next.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Xavier Grimble, 2016-2019”