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

I’m working for a non-profit – the Family Research Council. It’s based in Washington, DC but I work and live in my hometown of Holland, Michigan. Im the Senior Director of Development, which in the corporate world would mean the manager of sales, but in the non-profit world it means doing the nasty work like fundraising.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End Jay Riemiersma, 2003-2004”

First, has it all sunk in yet?

I’m sure it will in a little bit when I get there and start practicing. It’s a new opportunity for me – a new path – and I’m ready for it.

Were you aware the Steelers had interest in you before they drafted you?

My agent talked with them t be honest – I know they liked me from what he told me but he was the one talking to them. The only time I talked with anyone from the Steelers organization was at the Senior Bowl – and I talked to everybody there from the head coach to the GM. I spoke to the whole operating staff. You know what they say – it’s like speed-dating. You go around and meet all of the teams.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Sutton Smith”

First, how did the Rosie Nix Foundation start – what made you decide to launch that this year.?

Well, I started it officially this year. I’ve been putting on camps for the past two years – this will be our third year. I always tried to give back – I felt the need to do that. I understand the need people have for that kind of help and support.

I really felt it was ready to go this year and be official. The sponsors wanted to be able to help out more and told us we should go bigger. So we went legal – started up the 5013C. Like I said we’ve been putting on the camp already for a couple of years so we filed the paperwork and are ready to go.

It’s Columbus-based – it’s an opportunity for me to give back and use this platform to show why it’s important to give back to people.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Fullback Rosie Nix”

First, congratulations on the new role with the Steelers. How did you get started as the Steelers new Youth Football Coordinator?

Well, it kinda fell into my lap. You realize sometimes that things are often about timing. The position opened up at the same time that my PR internship wrapped up with the Steelers. I had a good reputation in the organization and had ben there for over five years.

My first three years I was actually working on the youth camps and marketing, then worked in PR after I was recommended for the internship. When I started working there I just wanted to take off and succeed in the organization.

Now as the Youth Program Coordinator it’s a perfect match. I played at Woodland Hills and college at Tiffin University. I’m actually just wrapping up playing for the West Virginia Roughriders team. This isn’t just a job for me. It’s a passion – an ideal position for me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Youth Coordinator Joe Lofton”

First – how’s it going so far – how has the adjustment been going?

It’s been pretty easy so far. The main thing is the speed of the game – everyone is bigger, stronger, and faster. The  biggest difference is that the long snappers – they are so much more accurate. There’s no casual stray snap like you find sometimes in college.

The guys -= Chris, Jordan – they’ve been really helpful. in me getting acclimated to the level.

How much do you appreciate a guy like Jordan helping you out even as you compete for his job? 

I really appreciate it. Jordan’s been great – he’s really helped show me how to be a professional player – what to expect at the pro level. He’s helped me understand what Danny Smith wants in certain situations and what happens on the field. He’s been a true professional.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Punter Ian Berryman”

First, how’s everything going so far – what’s been going well for you specifically?

It’s been going pretty good so far. I’m getting adjusted – learning the playbook so they know they can start counting on me and know I know what I’m doing when I’m on the field. The playbook is the biggest priority – getting that down and my connection with Big Ben.

Getting to work with him has been great -I  watching him rowing up –   just getting used to that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson”

First, how’s it going so far – what’s been the biggest adjustment so far?

It’s been going well so far. I can’t believe we’re already past week three. It’s crazy. Like everyone says, it’s really the speed of the game that stands out. Across the board, everyone is faster and quicker.

Is the playbook similar to what you had in Michigan?

I’m fortunate in that Michigan had a very complex playbook under Coach Harbaugh. It’s made adjusting to the NFL playbook a bit easier. The biggest issue is learning the terminology – it’s not the same of course so you have to figure that out. But it’s not as tough as it could have been due to what I had in Michigan.

The quick turnaround makes it harder too. Just the time to learn the playbook. You hit the ground running at rookie camp., have a week off, then OTAs. So just having to learn so quickly – that’s an adjustment too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End Zach Gentry”

First, can you let us know how camp has been going so far?

It’s been going pretty good so far. The environment is cool. The vets have been helping me a lot and treating me like a little brother.

Right now, the big learning curve is just adjusting to how fast things are going. It’s much faster than college. It’s tougher to get adjusted. But I can see it getting better already.

Who are the vets that have been helping you, and how?

The main guys have been James Conner and JaySam a little bit. It’s just really critiquing my reps. Helping me out with tips. Honestly, the big thing – the big adjustment is about just getting comfortable. Not overthinking things. Just playing football like I’m used to playing it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Benny Snell, Jr.”

First,  can you let us know why you decided to sign with Pittsburgh last season – what brought that on?

When I got cut from Green Bay I had a lot of tryouts afterwards for different teams – about seven or eight of them. But they all said the same thing – that it was a good workout but they wanted to stick with the guys they had.

I was getting very frustrated, My lease was up in Green Bay and I was just about to move to New Orleans with my brother when Pittsburgh called. They said I didn’t need to do a tryout – I just needed to pass my physical. I knew that wouldn’t be a problem since I passed every physical when I tried out for those other teams. I passed the physical and I was practicing with the team the next day.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Herb Waters”

First, are you staying in Pittsburgh or did you go back to DC after the rookie camp?

I’m still here in Pittsburgh. It’s different here than DC – but it’s good. It’s a really good city. I like the structures and the bridges, and how each section of the city has it’s own identity.

How did the tryout occur?

They reached out right after the draft. I guess they had an idea they wanted to sign me, but some teams have rookie camps one week, others the next. The Steelers were the second week so I had to weigh my options of where I wanted to go – where to go to try out. I talked to my agent and he did his homework to see what team was best for me – which I waned over the others, I had to be good with the decision and pick the right place.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Damian Prince”