Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!
More than 2,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff PLUS interviews with Pittsburgh actors, musicians, authors and more
First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?
Well, actually, I’ve been working for a railroad company now – Norfolk Southern. Friends of mine got me interested and into the work. I’m fixing stuff for them – tracks and stuff like that. It’s not too bad. I’m used to the physical stuff from playing football, so it hasn’t been that bad.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dante Brown, 2003-2004”
First, let me know what the plans fore the offseason are for you?
Honestly, I’m just taking a bit of time off to let my body recover. You get a few nagging injuries and I don’t want to train with a hurt body, so I’m just giving it a little time first. But I’m still exercising, stretching – staying in shape.
It was a crazy season for you – what made you decide to accept the Steelers offer to sign you off of Chicago’s practice squad?
They just told me they really wanted me, For me, it was a great opportunity to showcase my skills and put some things on film. I’m thankful that they chose to sign me and believed in me.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back/Kick Returner Kerrith Whyte, Jr.”
The players, Steelers and rival coaches who have praised Bill Cowher in our interviews is endless – here are some select quotes and memories they have of Bill:
Brian Billick: “Bill was very gracious and respectful towards me. He didn’t try to demean me as a new coach. After we won the Super Bowl. he saw that rivalry grow and we all bought into it. But compared to other coaches, while I was known for saying some stupid shit at times about other guys, that never happened with Bill. I never went back and forth like that with him.”
Marvin Lewis: “I learned a great about coaching and how to deal with players at a professional level from Dick LeBeau, Dom Capers, and Bill Cowher.”
Dave Shula: “I remember at an owners meeting, Leslie and I challenged Bill and Kaye to a tennis match, Bill just got new shoes and he was bleeding – you could see his socks. But he wouldn’t quit…”
Ron Zook: “Working with Coach Cowher, and meeting with and getting to know the Rooneys – that was a great experience for me.”
Dave Hoffman: “I remember when Cowher finally had to let me go. Here was this great big, strong guy in front of me, his eyes watering up. It wasn’t easy for him. I was almost comforting him during the talk, He was a unique man. He had a good Christian heart.”
Continue reading “Congratulations Bill Cowher on Being Selected to the NFL Hall of Fame”
First I want to thank Ron Lippock for keeping up with us old guys and letting us share some memories. Next I want to thank the Rooney family for always treating me and my family as a part of the Steelers family. They were and still are the class of the league!!
I was truly blessed to have played for the Steelers and Coach Noll. I was only there for one great year but it was a life changer for me and my family. I was a member of the greatest rookie class of all time in any sport and won the Super Bowl in my first year as a pro. Those things stay with you your whole life. No matter where you go or who you meet, you are always introduced as a Super Bowl Champion. Your children and grandchildren are always known as the children and grandchildren of someone who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Continue reading “In His Own Words: Dick Conn”
George Perles: “Chuck Noll saw me as a teacher and that was important to him. I saw him as a determined man and an outstanding leader.”
Fred Anderson: “George Perles, my first NFL coach, I remember how he would tailor our gameplan to take away what the opponent did best offensively. We would eliminate their best plays which forced them into their junk plays. Amazing how that works if everyone executes.”
Jim MIller: “George Perles modeled Michigan State after Chuck Noll and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Our practices were just what the Steelers did back during their four Super Bowl run when George was defensive coordinator. Our uniforms were even modeled after the Steelers down to the stickered emblem only on one side of the helmet.”
Continue reading “George Perles Passes Away”
First, what have you been involved with lately -family, work, etc.
Well, I moved 19 times and my kids have gone to 28 schools. So I’m making up time with my family after all of that time I spent in the NFL. And I also help out some of the coaches here in Cleveland at Notre Dame College. So I’ve had fun helping them too.
Your work on the Inner Circle is well-known and lauded – how did that start and what you think about the legacy and impact its having on players today?
Well, it started when a player came to me who was on drugs. We helped save many players’ lives because Art Modell paid for all of their treatments. It all started with Art because his son had the same type of problems so he helped the players who had issues. He helped eight-to-10 players on those Cleveland teams.
The Inner Circle Foundation is now a nonprofit that serves at risk kids in the Cleveland Metropolitan District. Dr. Greg Collins worked with me to create the first substance prevention program in the NFL and created Coach Sam’s Inner Circle Foundation 10 years ago. You can learn more about it at coachsams.org
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns Head Coach Sam Rutigliano”
First, what are you looking to improve on most this offseason – I know you just got on the phone after working out?
I always try to find something to be better at. One day it’s trying to get my hands on the ball more and get more turnovers in practice, one day it’s working out more in the slot, another more on man defense. You can choose what you want to work on in practice and I try to work on everything.
The coaches say anything to you about what they want you to focus on?
Well I came in late, so I think they’re still learning me too.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Safety Tray Matthews”
First, let us know what you’e been doing lately?
Well, first of all everyone seems to be worried about my health. I had a heart transplant three years ago and it went without a problem. I was very fortunate though – I was in my last hours – maybe minutes of life – when the heart showed up. It had to be the right fit and blood type and I got it just in time. I’m blessed beyond words.
It’s funny – the doctor made a mistake when he was talking to me about the heart. He said it’d take two hours to get the heart and two hours to get back, and I needed it in me by four hours latest. I did the calculation and actually figured that two hours from me was very likely Pittsburgh – so I could have the heart of a Terrible Towel waving Pittsburgh Steelers fan in me right now!
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Bengals Head Coach Sam Wyche”
First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since you retired?
I’m just being a dad. Going back and forth between Pittsburgh, Vegas and splitting time with the kids with their mother in Denver. I’m also doing some real estate and just being a dad and chilling out.
I do some volunteer work at my former high school and help with the boosters at Colorado State too. I’m just happy and blessed to have put enough money away to be able to support my kids so they can do what makes them happy.
How hard was that post-NFL transition for you?
I’m good. It’s hard when you don’t hear your named called sometimes. That’s why they say the transition can be hard. That and it was so regimented. Everything was on a schedule – especially during football season. Everything was consumed by practices, film study, workouts, obligations on and off the field… So adjusting from that is hard.
When I grew up my mom and dad raised me and exposed me to a lot of things. We grew up on the beach. So when I stopped playing I still hung out at the beach with friends and worked out – took my kids to the beach. I’m happy now being able to mentor guys and give back. That’s occupied my time. That time I missed with my kids and mother and sister – I’m catching up with them all now.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Clark Haggans, 2000-20007”
First, can you let us know about your post-NFL career?
Well, I have a career in medicine now as an orthopedic surgeon here in Birmingham, Alabama. I actually chose my career path while I was a rookie in Latrobe, during training camp. I was an inside linebacker in college and in Pittsburgh they moved me to outside linebacker which was an entirely different position for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself – I was hard on myself. I didn’t think I’d make the team.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Gregg Carr, Steelers Linebacker, 1985-1988”