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First, can you let us know what you have been doing with yourself since your time in Pittsburgh?

Well, I’m now the Assistant Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs at Mississippi State

When I left the Steelers, I went back to Florida and coached at my high school. Later that year, in ’98, I got a call from Randy Edsall who recruited me out of high school to join him at Connecticut and coach there. From there I accepted the offer to coach at Mississippi State.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Terry Richardson, 1996”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since you retired from the NFL?

Sure – I was with the Steelers for three years then I was bounced to Detroit for one season. I had injuries here and there and was banged up in camp  – they had Grossman and Larry Brown there too so they traded me to Detroit for a future draft pick.

In Detroit I got a hairline fracture in my middle toe. So much for the glamour of football! That constant pounding and two-a-days caused a stress fracture and I was in a cast for a few weeks. I ended up backing up Charlie Sanders in Detroit and the next year was picked up by Seattle in the expansion draft for their first season before retiring,

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End John McMakin, 1972-1974”

First, how is the offseason going so far- what are you focusing on right now?

Right now I’m just resting my body a bit for a good month or so before getting after it again.  I’ll pick it up again in March and hit the ground running. I’ll start doing some little things after the after the Super Bowl to start getting ready too.

I’m just looking to work on small things – you can always get an edge on everything.

Did the coaches talk to you about working on anything specific this offseason?

I’ve been around a while so they know what I bring in all phases of the game – special teams and defense. They would probably like to see me make more plays and stand out more on defense. I love special teams though and stay in my lane – they know I play well there, They didn’t ask me to work on much – but there’s always young guys coming to take your job so I know I need to keep working on everything.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Safety Jordan Dangerfield”

First, tell me about all of the things you’ve been doing post-NFL – you’ve been busy!

Yeah, I’ve been trying to stay busy. The transition to post-NFL life is difficult – it’s hard to find ways to keep that competitive spirit you’re used to having.  That daily work ethic you have to stay ready for football – how to translate that to something else.

I started a non-profit after my last year in Buffalo called Athlete Strong. I worked with the NFL Play 60 while in the NFL, working with communities – that was second-nature for me. So Athlete Strong, we work with other athletes to show their importance to helping communities overcome issues. We work right now in the Utah Valley, but hope in the future to work in the Southwest United States as well.  That’s what I do on the side.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers LInebacker Stevenson Sylvester, 2010-2013”

First, how is the offsseason going for you – what are you working on?

Right now, I’m not doing much working out. I’m just working out a little bit and trying to keep my body right.  I haven’t been doing much because the coaches told us to rest our bodies. I’m not used to that really. Going from college to pro days to rookie camp to OTAs I never stopped. It’s weird now taking a month off. That’s the biggest difference for me right now – just focusing on resting. TO be honest it’s difficult – I’m getting antsy.

Did the coaches talk to you about working on anything specific for next season?

Yeah – they told me that they didn’t get to see my with pads on last year so they want to see me in pads, making tackles. They want to see if I’m able to tackle well. Last year I had one day in pads – the rest was basically seven on sevens. When I got back to practice, it was just shorts and helmets.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Alexander Myres”

Russell Stuvaints: “Troy Polamalu always wore these reggae shirts. We didn’t know who those guys on his shirts were. One day he wore one with Peter Tosh on it – we didn’t know who he was but it was a picture of a small guy with dreadlocks. We called Troy Peter Tush because of that one.”

Ike Taylor: “Troy was great- he was Michael Jackson and we were the Jackson 5. We were the other guys and figured to get some fame too. But he didn’t want the fame. When you see that, you fall back.”

Continue reading “Congratulations to Troy Polamalu for Being Elected into the NFL Hall of Fame”

First, can you let mw know a little about what you’ve been doing with yourself since you retired?

Well, I coached my son in Orlando – his team was the West Orange Bobcats and we were in the semi-finals. I’m also coaching and training athletes here in Orlando, as well as doing some TV and radio with Bmac and other guys. Staying busy man.

Speaking of coaching – who were some of the guys that influenced you as a coach and player – and how did they do so?

Dicky. That’s what we called Dick LeBeau. He didn’t have to say much. He was so well-respected and had such a calm manner. Whenever he spoke to you about doing something wrong, if you messed up in a game, he’d pull you aside. He wouldn’t yell or curse. He’d just tell you what you were doing was hurting the team. That was like being stabbed in the heart. He had this way of getting his point across without raising his voice.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Ike Taylor, 2003-2014”

On the anniversary of Art Rooney Sr.’s birthday, some stories about The Chief from former Steelers

Brady Keys: “And nothing but good memories of Pittsburgh and the Steelers. The last day I cried was when Mr. Rooney died. I haven’t cried since. I would not be who I am without him. The town and country were not ready for me – a Black man who wanted to run a business and play football. But he was.”

Tony Dungy: “The first thing was from Art Rooney – how you have to trust your players and coaching staff. To treat them like family and understand your impact on fans too. He told me the team will support you through all kinds of weather. But you can’t just take it in. You have to give back. Art wanted you to be someone who gave back to the community as a player.”

John Jackson: “I met Art Rooney Sr. when the draft picks came in. It was an unbelievable experience sitting down and having dinner with him. He knew who everyone was – he picked them himself. And he was sharp as a tack.

I was really impressed that he knew who I was. We talked about horses – he knew I was from Kentucky I guess. I wasn’t a big horse fan like the Chief though – he was naming horses and was just a lot more knowledgeable than me. It was a really good experience.”

Babe Parilli: “The Rooneys were the best. I remember the old man – he used to being cigars into my office and we’d smoke them together. Chuck couldn’t stand the smoke. I got Bradshaw to smoke the cigars too and we’d all sit in the quarterback meetings smoking them. I asked Chuck if the smoke was bothering him. His eyes would be watering but he said no – he knew Rooney brought us the cigars. But he went out and got a big fan and put it in the room to blow away the smoke!”

Franco Harris: “For me, what really opened me up and made me aware of that was the Chief. How he was involved in the community. Just how nice he was. They way he would help the community around him. You look for examples in life, and I looked at Mr. Rooney. I wanted to do more and he was supportive of that.”

Continue reading “Former Steelers talk about The Chief”

First, how is the offseason gong for you – what’s the plan for you?

Oh man, lots of things going on. I’m trying to keep my weight down and stay fit. I want to stay in great shape – Spring ball is just around the corner. I want to be ready for camp – maybe get a little looser in my hips. I’m just excited for the offseason and to get ready for camp!

Did the coaches give you some areas to improve upon for next season in the exit interview?

I was there for five weeks so they got to see a lot. Coach Tomlin said he just wants me to become a more complete wide receiver. Lots of guys want to make big plays downfield, but he wants me to be  good on the interior routes too – slants and in-routes. To step that up to another level.

I’m working to improve my footwork now – I have a great trainer to help me do that – to help me come out of my breaks better – stuff like that. I’m excited. Coach Tomlin gave me what I needed. I just have to put in the work with the other guys.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Deon Cain”