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Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Coach Marvin Lewis, 1990-1995/Former Bengals Head Coach

First, can you let us know what you are doing now and how you got started in this new coaching venture?

The opportunity came up when Herman Edwards reached out to me – we talked about what I wanted to do in the future. I did some TV work and enjoyed it and committed myself to that, but no one offered my something substantial for the rest of this year.

So, when Herm offered me the chance to help work with the coaches at Arizona State, it was a very exciting opportunity for me. Herm and I worked together before and we have a good relationship..

What is the major difference for you in coaching at the college and professional levels?

I haven’t coached at the college level since back when I was at Pitt in ’90 and ’91. At that time, everyone expected to go to the NFL, but no one really talked about it. We didn’t talk about it as openly as we do today. It’s more acceptable – more open to discuss it now – so it’s different. That is a change for me. The model here still is to first promote the opportunity to get a degree, then if you’re good enough, then you can get a chance at the NFL too. That’s the setup here, but I know it’s not the same everywhere.

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Exclusive with Former Ravens Linebacker Jarret Johnson

First, let us know what you’re up to these days since you retired?

Well I’m living now in Denton, Florida – my wife and I both have family close to here. I’m still doing radio for the Ravens too so I’m traveling a lot with the team and am in Baltimore quite a bit.

I’ve been doing a bit of everything outside of that. I’ve done some real estate and got my captain’s license too. I own a charter fishing boat but have backed off of that a bit lately.

I also coach some middle school football and am a soccer dad – my daughter plays soccer so I travel a lot for that too.

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Exclusive with Former Ravens Linebacker Jamie Sharper

First, let me know what you’re doing with yourself these days?

Well, I’m now coaching linebackers and Georgetown University in DC – this I my second year here. My family and I moved here from Louisiana back last April. I’m also getting my Masters here in Sports Industry Administration.

Who helped you as a coach to develop that coaching style – who influenced you and how?

Marvin Lewis was the first guy. When I first got to the NFL he showed me what to do on a personal and professional level. Professionally, what techniques I needed to develop to get better. Later on Jack Del Rio helped me – he played linebacker too. He showed me techniques and the skillsets I needed too – many of the smaller things that made me better. I’d day Jack was more macro and Marvin was more micro in what they taught me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Ravens Linebacker Jamie Sharper”

Exclusive with Former Browns and Ravens Cornerback Antonio Langham

First, tell me a bit about coach and who influenced you as a coach, and how?

Well, I’m back in Alabama, coaching high school football.

I played for quite a few coaches. Bill Oliver was my secondary coach in Alabama and I enjoyed playing for him. Of course I played for Bill Belichick and Nick Sabam too.

I liked the fact that all three coaches were meticulous about the small things. The fundamentals, techniques, and assignments. They’d stress playing at eight, not 10 yards off, or five, not three – to be precise. Those small things that made a big difference.

They also weren’t yellers. I like to coach and teach – I don’t like to yell. Especially with high school kids- they clam up when you start yelling at them. So I related to that too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns and Ravens Cornerback Antonio Langham”

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Centennial Slate Finalists includes Buddy Parker

Who was Buddy Parker. Here are some stories from former Steelers on Buddy:

Pete Brewster: “Brown and Parker were both teachers of the game. It’s funny. When I was traded to Cleveland I thought I was on the team. I didn’t realize I still had to make the team!”

Frank Varrichione: “Parker – he changed everything. He slowed practices down. We’d do more walk-throughs and less hitting. It was a big welcome for players. He was tough and demanded perfection. But he took it much easier on us.

When Parker got there in ’56, on his first day he looked at this huge blocking sled we had to use, made out of real heavy lumber. It took seven guys to move it with their shoulders. The first thing Parker said was, he wanted seven of us to push the sled way off the field. He never wanted to see it again.”

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Remembering Bobby Layne

Tomorrow Bobby Layne would have been 93. Here’s some fun stories from former Steelers who played with Bobby:

Don Sutherin: “I remember when we were playing the Bears – Doug Atkins kept knocking Layne on his butt – bloodied him. So Layne tells us to let Atkins come free next time, and he throws the ball at Atkins, right in the mouth! Well, Doug killed Layne after that.”

Pete Brewster: “Bobby Layne and I got along good. One funny story he told me was when he played in Detroit. Everyone there knew him. One day he was driving home and he was pulled over by the police. They said he wasn’t driving right, or something like that. They knew he was inebriated. Bobby asked them why they were pulling him over when they only had one headlight. The policeman told Bobby. “That’s because it’s a motorcycle, Bobby.” Then they told his buddy who was in the car with him to get him home!”

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Exclusive with Former Ravens and Browns Tight End Darnell Dinkins

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

Well, I started a training business – ETHICS Training – helping a lot of kids get through high school and college.

Personally, I got married and have three kids. My daughter is a state champion volleyball player who was player of the week at Tulane twice now. My oldest son is getting offers from Pitt, Virginian and other schools – he’s a wide receiver and linebacker at North Allegheny. And my younger son is a sophomore and is already dunking – he’s already playing above the rim.

Tell me more about your training and coaching experience – what do you focus on?

I speak hope into kids and try to help change their mindsets. A lot of kids don’t see value in who they are. David in the Bible showed his value with the slingshot – I’m trying to show kids how they can find their own value as well.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back John Dockery, 1972-1973

First, can you let us know what you got involved with after your time in the NFL?

Well, as you know I got into the TV business working mostly with CBS and CBS radio as well, doing NFL games, the Tour de France, the Olympics… really interesting things, I had a good time doing it.

How did you get involved in that?

The producer at NBC then was Terry O’Neill. He was a big football fan and knew talent when he saw it! He suggested that I do some sideline reporting and commenting on games. I did that for 13 to 14 years.

Frenchy was a piece of work. We were a conservative team in New York. When I was in Pittsburgh there was a function after practice – and in comes Frenchy with fur coat, suit, scarf and hat – then I see goldfish in his shoes. I thought I was hallucinating! What kind of team did I get on!

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John Kapele Jr., on Father John Kapele, Steelers OL/DL Lineman, 1960-1962

First, thanks for talking to me about your dad, John. I know he just recently passed away in June. Before we start with some questions, tell me a bit about what you think people should know about your dad?

My dad was born on October 19th, 1937 in Hawaii. He grew up in Kaneohe Hawaii and had a good early childhood. What really helped him most in football was the fact he took Judo for twelve years at a dojo in Hawaii – he said that really helped him with his football skills.

He’s still the only player from his high school to get to the NFL. He went to college at BYU and returned to Hawaii after his playing days to coach at the same high school. He gave back after being an All-Star all four years there.

His dad actually worked at Pearl Harbor in 1941 – he didn’t come home for four days. They thought he died, but he had to stay to help clean up after the attack.

Continue reading “John Kapele Jr., on Father John Kapele, Steelers OL/DL Lineman, 1960-1962”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz, 2016-2017

First, what are you doing now with your time – what are the next steps for you?

I’m finally 100% healthy again. I’m excited to be in the XFL draft next month – I’m happy to be a part of that. That’s my trip back to the top – that’s definitely my next destination.

What have you heard about the league so far?

It’s a new league – I was a kid when the old XFL was around – that one had more swagger – it was more like wrestling. This league is much more professional. Oliver Luck has done a great job – there are some great guys from the NFL and CFL – and lot’s of guys with experience. That’s a requirement for a lot of the teams and league.

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