Category: Teams

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

I sell consulting services for financial and managed services providers. We do compliance work on financial institutions related to safeguarding data, PCI compliance, hacking into networks to test them. We then implement policy procedures for them and bring in engineers to evaluate business impact. I have two partners who focus on compliance and regulatory issues – I focus mostly on sales.

Continue reading “Rick Woods, Steelers Safety, 1982-1986”

First, can you tell readers how you are doing these days?

Well, I’m nursing a lot of injuries. I had back surgery and have been declared disabled. I fell down some steps that collapsed on me while I was working and have fought this injury for five years. I finally had to be cut on and had the surgery in the early 90’s.

I’m also dealing with the headaches from the various concussions I’ve received over the years playing football.

Continue reading “Reggie Harrison, Steelers Running Back, 1974-1977”

Verron Haynes:

First, can you tell readers about your foundation and your current work for breast cancer research?

I have merged with various non-profits benefiting causes, including Breast Cancer and Autism. I sit on the Board of Directors for Turning Point Atlanta in addition to The Verron Haynes Foundation. I try to devote my celebrity and volunteer my time for such a vital cause. With one in every eight women being diagnosed, this is a condition that is hitting close to the homes and hearts of many.

It is more than the diagnosed patient who suffers because Cancer holds meaning beyond the term. It is “cancerous” and affects the family, children, mothers and careers. At the tender age of twenty-six, my cousin who was like a sister to me, lost her tragic battle against breast cancer. While I have done extensive work during my time in the NFL, collaborating with the Steelers and Atlanta Falcons, being away from the game has afforded me the chance to devote more of my personal time. With the assistance of a newly formed non-profit team, I am eager to utilize my leisure for a purpose.

Continue reading “Verron Haynes, Steelers Running Back, 2002-2007”

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

I’m working for Giant Eagle as a Supervisor/Shift Manager. I haven’t been able to work in five months though due to my football injuries. I had a total knee replacement recently. I can’t walk or sit for long now – I have to do lots of lying down.

Is the NFL helping at all?

I’m talking to the NFL now. I can’t talk much about it because I’m waiting to hear back. I’m disabled now due to the injuries – it’s not different from when I was on partial disability fifteen years ago. They denied my claim then and probably will now.

Continue reading “Delton Hall, Steelers Cornerback, 1987-1991”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days? How are you spending our time?

I am retired after selling my last business in 2008.  I am enjoying playing golf @ Colonial CC here in Fort Worth, working out, doing business consulting and enjoying my kids and grandkids.

How did you choose to sign with the Steelers as a free agent in 1967 – what sold you on the team?

After signing a free agent contract with the Packers out of  TCU, I spent one year with them (who went on to win the 1st Super Bowl)….I was traded to the Steelers in 1967.  The offensive line coach at Green Bay, Bill Austin, got the Head Coach job at Pittsburgh and traded for me.

Continue reading “Kent Nix, Steelers Quarterback, 1967-1969”

First, can you tell readers what you’ve been up to since you left football?

I opened up a new restaurant in March here in Atlanta – Wet Willies. I was researching franchise opportunities and went to Miami a lot and saw the success of the Wet Willies there and thought it would do well here in Atlanta.

How was it getting to the NFL as a 7th round pick – how did you make the squad?

When I got there, that year the Steelers took two other linebackers in the draft. Me, Earl Holmes and Steven Conley were all drafted.

Continue reading “Carlos Emmons, Steelers Linebacker, 1996-1999”

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

In April  I retired as the manager of an automotive business. Before that I ran a medical practice. Now I’m the manager for a septic company that does the work for the Colorado Springs area. We have a number of septic trucks – acts a lot like a Roto Rooter.

How is your health these days?

I’ve had ten surgeries, but I feel great now. My weight is at 205 pounds – it’s much easier to stay at 205 than 270. No more six meals a day like I had to do in college.

Continue reading “John Rienstra, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1986-1990”

First, what are you doing with yourself these days?

I was in Pittsburgh for ten years taking care of my ailing mother before she passed. I was a high school coach at Westinghouse, Shaler and Woodland Hills after that and then got to coach for Penn Hills where I graduated which was exciting for me. I coached at Norfolk State from 1994-1988 before going back to help my mother.

I was depressed after she passed away in 1991. Now, I’m starting up a new program at Virginia University in Lynchburg – I’ll be the Athletic Director and Coach – it will be the first football team they’ve had there in sixty years.

Continue reading “Hubie Bryant, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1970-1971”

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

I’m actually retired from Reynolds Metals. They were Reynolds then were bought out by Alcoa. I worked for them for 39 years. I was working with them in the off-seasons during my five years playing football and went straight there to work after I retired.

What did you think when you were drafted by the Steelers who were such a poor team at the time?

I went to school at South Carolina – I red-shirted there. So I was drafted as a Junior by Buffalo of the AFL and Pittsburgh. I looked Pittsburgh up in the dictionary actually – I saw a big smoky city and said “Holy mackerel”…. I chose Pittsburgh over Buffalo though because the NFL was more established than the AFL in those days.

Continue reading “J.R. Wilburn, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1966-1970”

Brady Keys:

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself these days and about the Keys Group?

The Keys Group is the parent company of Airport Concessions – it’s what I have left of the many restaurants that used to be part of the Keys Group.

It started in 1968 as a fried chicken franchise. It grew to 135 restaurants – which then grew into Kentucky Fried Chicken and Burger and King franchises.

It was a concept I developed – my own fried chicken batter – when I played for the Steelers. I called Art Rooney in the offseason from Los Angeles and told him what I did – about the idea and asked if he’d help me with money to start the business. All I heard was silence on the line. I had to ask if anyone was still on the line. Mr Rooney answered back “I am. I’m just trying to figure out how fast to get you the money!”

Continue reading “Brady Keys, Steelers Cornerback, 1961-1967”