First off, what have you been up to since your time playing football?
I’ve done a number of things. Immediately after I hung up my cleats I knew I wanted to be an artist. I always wanted to be an artist – as a kid I was artistic – always doodling and doing projects. I was a big Shel Silverstein fan as a kid – I loved his books. I knew I wanted to do something like that.
I wrote three children’s books since then. Mally in the Middle was my first – all three have their own inspiration. One – Flower Flower Give Her Power – was about a friend of mine who is a single Black father and his experiences raising his daughter. Molly in the Middle – I had that idea while I was playing and shelved it until after football when the time was right. My third book –Numbers Don’t Lie – that was about protests and cops killing Black people – that had a math tie to it too.
You also went into fashion right?
Outside of the books I also had to have a job – I got into health and wellness first – I was intrigued by it. I never really had injuries when I played – a couple of concussions but no surgeries. I worked for a company that provided cryogenics and compression therapy for a while, but then I wanted to get back to my artistic side.
I loved hats as a kid – I worked for Gorman Brothers and put my own style on hats. Now, I’m proud to be the founder of Hatrimony – a hat company that my wife and I have gone into business together to run. I’ve been married four years and we live and work here in Georgia.
What about playing has influenced how you approach business now – how has it helped?
I talked to a young guy recently about this – a former baseball player. Playing team sports – especially one like football – it teaches you how to be a team player. There are a number of traits that live within you after you are done playing – they stay with you when you hang up your cleats.
In business a lot of people have no team experience. They find it difficult to navigate a team setting. Playing a team sport allowed me to understand how to build a team and navigate being on a team. I can recognize the right qualities in people. I’m still in the infant stages of Hatrimony but some day I will want to build my own team and I’ll be ready to do so.
You were a versatile player throughout your career – played quarterback, receiver, defensive back and returned kicks. How did that versatility help you and did it ever get in the way?
That’s a great question and it’s reflective of what I said earlier. My versatility as an athlete – I was ultra-talented growing up. I was a state champion track athlete as well – a hurdler. I had a number of different offers from different universities but ended up staying at home at Tulane.
I was on the fence with what to do at first. Being a young player though in a D1 program, you just want to get on the field. I had to make a decision on what position to play. I was a good receiver but a position coach told me he thought I could be a great defensive back. I was willing to give it a try and it happened right before camp so it was good timing. I had some growing pains at first but I researched other guys who played and learned the position – it was the best decision I ever made.
It fit my personality – I am an introvert and it fit how I played.
Any mentors who helped you along the way as a player – especially when you got to Pittsburgh?
Ironically I got to Pittsburgh right before many of those legendary players retired. Ike Taylor was from Louisiana and was instrumental in helping me. He led by example and was also a vocal leader and had that unique Louisiana flavor about him too.
They also still had Troy Polamalu there – he didn’t say much but he’d run through you at any moment.
Troy was the greatest human I ever met. He wasn’t very vocal but I watched him from afar – he was a great athlete and a great father, husband and leader. I learned so much from him.
Also – Antonio Brown – I know there are different feelings about him even now. But I never saw anyone put in the work like he did. I think that’s missing from the game today. That work ethic – even in between reps – you saw how he worked and that motivated everyone around him.
In Denver – Aqib Talib – I enjoyed being round him. I learned a lot from him, TJ Ward, Chris Harris and the late Demaryius Thomas. Peyton Manning – he was the first NFL player I ever met. I was sitting at my locker before my physical taking it all in when he walked by and introduced himself to me. That was a cool moment.
What brought you to the Steelers in 2015 – why Pittsburgh and how?
I was released by Chicago – that wasn’t my greatest experience. Going from a winning culture like Denver to a losing culture like Chicago – I could see that there was a reason why their record was what it was. The mentality there once you got past a few players – it wasn’t good.
After Chicago Pittsburgh flew me in and I got the job. Opportunities come up when guys get hurt. After Pittsburgh I went to the CFL but I didn’t like it- I don’t think they cater to the professional athlete well. They didn’t have the amenities I felt professional athletes should be given. They didn’t have the right things for athletes at their disposal in my opinion. I told my agent I wanted a different opportunity and after a short while the Steelers brought me back.
Any fun/poignant moments stand out in Pittsburgh?
I played against Antonio Blake in college – he goes by Valentino now. Some of my most enjoyable moments were with him. You never knew what he’d come up with next. He’d pick off Ben then do a backflip.
Willie Gay was hilarious too. He’d have that dance he’d do after an interception – that went viral! He was a gifted athlete.
The coaches would laugh at them too. Zilla – he had a strong personality – he enjoys life. He’s a great father – he and I lived in Houston after football and I would see him with his kids. I think his personality has rubbed off a bit with his boys – he’s definitely a Texas guy at heart!
You played for a few teams – what stood out to you about that experience in Pittsburgh?
When I first got the call that Pittsburgh was interested I saw myself differently. That standard of excellence was bred in the walls. Them being interested in me felt like a big deal.
You never know who else they are bringing in when you tryout for a team – it could be a former Pro Bowler. I just knew that I didn’t want a flight home. I got the job though.
What do you think helped you to do so?
I was technically sound and had amazing footwork. I also had good hands after having played receiver in high school and had a good attitude. I took it all seriously – due to my upbringing I make sure to look you in the eye when I speak to you and shake hands with you. The Steelers believe in those things and – I got to experience why Pittsburgh was so good. You met everyone when you were there – from the cook to Mike Tomlin to the owners. I never saw an owner before like you did in Pittsburgh – they were around the players every day. The team was built on family values and on how professionals should be treated. We all held each other to a standard of accountability – it was different from other teams.
What happened after the 2016 season?
It was a numbers game – Le’Veon had his injuries and DeAngelo got hurt. There was a big void then at running back – there was more of a need at running back than defensive back – and they wanted experienced players too.
A lot of people speak to football being a platform for the ability to pursue other dreams. What advice would you give to those trying to do so?
That’s a great question. I learned over time that you need to make sure you use your platform and experiences to your own benefit rather than let others use your experiences to build theirs. No one understands the weight we dealt with as former players as we introduce ourselves back to the world. I was gifted at other things – I wanted people to introduce me as Jordan Sullen – not Jordan Sullen, the guy who used to play for Pittsburgh and other places.
Also, I know everyone is set on making it in the NFL, but you have to figure out other things you want to do – even if you are just ok at it – find something else to master. Even if you put it on the shelf until after football so you have something to pursue then. I have conversations with so many different people dealing with life after football – it can be a whirlwind to figure it out. You have to have those core values and things you know you want to pursue.
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