First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since you playing days?
A lot of a lot and a lot of nothing!
I did some insurance work and then worked for a school here in Orlando – the Innovation Charter School that helped kids who needed some extra help – who were behind in their grades and that sort of thing.
I also tried to own an Arena Football League team. I played Arena Football for 11 years and tried to own a team here in Orlando, but it was harder than I thought it would be. I was attached to the game after I played, but the politics and the amount of money it took – I just misjudged how much it all took. It was just way too tough.
How hard was the post-NFL adjustment for you?
It’s been tough, to be honest. You go from all that noise and cheering to the quiet. That’s tough. You just have to keep moving. Your family – kids – they help. You just have to keep moving and grinding.
Some manage to do that and find other ways to be happy, and some end up on the other side of bad. I’m lucky I was able to keep grinding and not end up on the bad side.
Who were some of the guys that helped mentor you when you fiord got into the NFL?
Rod Woodson was so instrumental for me. He was awesome. He taught me how to be a pro – how to practice. We had a number of side talks on technique and what I should do. When I went to NFL Europe he showed me what to work on – what techniques. He was the number one guy for that.
How did you end up in Pittsburgh after signing on with the Colts first as an undrafted free agent?
I was in the last cuts in Indianapolis – I went to Pittsburgh after that and was there for one-and-a-half years. Then Miami and Kansas City. My agent called a number of teams after I was cut from the Colts and I think Pittsburgh had interest in me at draft time. But you never know-you never get to see their draft boards.
What was the hardest thing to adjust to once you got to the NFL?
Being on the practice squad. You go from high school to college as the starter there then you go from that to watching guys in the NFL play. That was the toughest part – but it was part of the process.
That’s how I developed at the position. You have to play whatever role they needed Some guys on the practice squad only played football for a few years and some needed reps and were special teams guys in college. I remember once we played Michael Vick and I had to play the role of Vick on the practice squad.
How did that go?
Not good! You see me sitting on the couch now right!
Any other aspects of the game that were tough to adapt to?
The speed was the hardest thing. My Achilles heel was my lack of speed. I was athletic and in college you can get away with some things that you just can’t get away with in the pros. Everyone is a great athlete once you get to the pros.
My speed was my Achilles heel. I could stay with anyone 10-to-15 yards in, but in the NFL you had to be able to run with guys downfield.
How did you get around that lack of speed?
I studied a lot. You have to beat people to a spot and know where they are going. 90% of the game at that level is mental. 10% is physical. All guys at that level are great athletes. You have to learn how to study film. That’s another thing Rod taught me. How to look at film and see what personnel was on the field and what they ran from different formations and personnel. That helped me a lot.
Any fun moments that stand out to you?
I remember one practice when I ran into the back of “Big Play” Ray Seals by accident. Two plays later he ran into me and I never was hit like that before. I think I was knocked out for two weeks!
Was it on purpose?
No! People joked that it was but it was just by accident. We laughed about that for a long time after though.
How would you describe yourself as a player?
I was more of a coverage guy – not a big tackler. I guess that would be the scouting report on me. Rod Woodson told me that we weren’t there to tackle – we were there to cover. Of course you had to be able to tackle guys but we weren’t safeties – we weren’t there to be big hitters. We were there to cover. I took that with me.
You were released though by the Steelers?
They just told me they were going in a different direction. My agent thought I should get a bonus for staying in Pittsburgh in the offseason and they didn’t. I decided then to go to NFL Europe – I had the time of my life there.
Why?
Just playing against NFL caliber players – actually playing. That was great for me.
What happened after your time with the Steelers?
I went to the Arena Football League. That was perfect for me because it was only 50 yards – my speed wasn’t an issue because everything was in front of you and happened quickly. It was perfect for me because of that.
You watch the NFL today? Like it?
Every Sunday – and I’m still a huge Steelers fan. Even when they are struggling, I’m a Steelers guy ’til I die.
I know the money has changed in the league – that’s huge. But that’s supply and demand. Safeties are bigger today – guys are bigger, faster and stronger. They can spend millions of dollars now training and taking care of their bodies to get that way.
Any advice you’d give to young guys playing corner in the NFL today?
I’d say adopt that Kobe Bryant mentality. That Mamba mentality. Instead of hanging out at the clubs, train more. Study more. The hell with the nightlife and women. If old Kenny could tell young Kenny that, it would be to do those things differently. But you don’t get to go back!
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
