Category: Teams

First, can you let me know what you are doing with yourself these days?

I was in the restaurant business – a developer and owner through 2009. I developed the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar chain with another Steeler, Larry Brown, in ’87 for Western PA through 2006. Then a couple of others through 2009. What I do now is consult for entrepreneurs who are working in the food industry. I also have my own business manufacturing desserts – mostly cheesecakes.

Did you work at all with former Steeler Brady Keys – another franchise owner?

My first Burger King, Brady was involved. yeah. I always joked with him that he had a couple of years on me – a couple more diapers (laughing).

Continue reading “J.T. Thomas, Steelers Cornerback, 1973-1982”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

I’m the Athletic Director and Physical Education Director at Kankakee Community College. We’re about fifty miles outside of Chicago and about twenty miles from where I grew up. I had a desire to get back home and interviewed for the job when the opening came up.

Did you have experience before then?

I was the Athletic Director at Upper St. Clair High School before then, yes.

Continue reading “Ted Petersen, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1977-1983, 1987”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself now?

Well, I’m a Minister at New-Birth Church in North Carolina and own a line of faith-based clothing line called Faith Before Fame.

I also help train college athletes for the combine and preparing for the NFL and am a motivational speaker. I coach my son’s youth football team too as well and have interned with the Steelers the past couple of years to help with coaching too.

Continue reading “Brentson Buckner, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 1994-1996”

First, can you tell readers what you are doing with yourself these days post-football?

After retiring from football I  moved back to Boulder, CO and I now own and run a mortgage company here in Colorado.

You were a very versatile player in Colorado – you played on the defensive line and offensive line – do you think that was one of the reasons the Steelers drafted you in 1991? 

I think the Steelers drafted me because they felt I could adapt easily to the style of offense they ran. In college I was part of a tough run-oriented offense very similar to the Steelers philosophy.  I also was a bit of a raw talent with a lot of room to improve and mature and I think they liked that upside potential.

Continue reading “Ariel Solomon, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1991-1995”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days and about your broadcasting career?

I am staying extremely busy living in Atlanta with my wife and five children.  My full-time “day job” is working in commercial real estate and my “night job” is  working as the color analyst for the radio broadcasts of the Georgia Tech Football games. This is my 4th season as the color analyst after spending 3 seasons as the sideline reporter.

 You were injured your senior year at Georgia Tech which helped cause you to get passed over by scouts. How hard was that for you and do you see it as a blessing in the end after being picked up by your home town team?

It was very disappointing. I also broke my leg as a senior at Fox Chapel and missed the entire season.  Missing the playing time in the last five games of the my college career hurt the most because I needed the playing experience.  I did make it back for the Blue Grey All Star game and played fairly well.

Continue reading “Rick Strom, Steelers Quarterback, 1989-1993”

First, can you let readers know what you are up to these days?

Would you believe I was working with the Alameda City Transit as a bus operator. I was doing that for ten years and recently put in my retirement notice. I’ll be sixty-five in January and decided to retire and enjoy the years I have left.

How is your health?

I went through some tough health issues the past two years – I didn’t think I’d make it. I had cancer in my lungs but it’s in remission now. I’m drawing on my social security and NFL pension plan and enjoying life on a daily basis.

Continue reading “Ocie Austin, Steelers Safety, 1970-1971”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing today and how your health is.

My knees are bad – I can’t walk well. I need a walker to get around now. But I feel fine when I’m sitting down and laying down.

Is this a football injury – and is the NFL helping you now?

I’m not getting help from the NFL – I talked to some guy in California but they said it’s because of an injury I had when my knee gave out fishing and it pinched my spinal cord – so they think it was because of that, but my knees were bad before then, so I don’t know…

Continue reading “Ben McGee, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 1964-1972”

First, can you let readers about your work with the California athletics department?

First it is amazing to be back at my alma mater where I developed from an eighteen year old kid into a responsible adult. Currently, I am the Assistant Director of Football Student Development. I assist our football student athletes with any academic issues that may arise on campus i.e tutoring, dorms, class conflicts.

Are you looking to get into coaching? if so, is there a particular aspect of coaching that interests you most and that you find yourself imparting on the athletes you work with?

The field of coaching has been gaining a great amount of interest for me. I have done some volunteer work assisting defensive backs and special teams on the high school level, I also talk to the DB’s here at Cal every chance I get to discuss small things that could potential help their techniques out. Clean technique, and having a tough attitude can make an ordinary athlete extraordinary.

Continue reading “Chidi Iwuoma, Steelers Cornerback, 2002-2006, 2006”