First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
After playing I stayed and lived in Pittsburgh for 37 years before moving back to Mississippi! I was a science teacher and coached high school football at Gateway High School. Life’s been good! I also started preaching the gospel in 1997 – really as a social minister.
Was the post-NFL transition difficult?
At first it was hard. What made it hard was that I felt like the best man didn’t get the job. At the time that felt difficult. I was from a smaller university and I think they wanted to keep the bigger university guys. The ledger leaned towards them. I know Tony Dungy later told me he regretted the decision – it was just a numbers game he said. It wasn’t because I couldn’t play.
Why did you choose Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent?
I think I was made in the mold of a Steel Town player. I was tough and rugged and wasn’t flashy. In my high school days we were champions, and I liked the idea of going to a team with a legacy of being champions.
I always had a soft spot for Pittsburgh too. My childhood heroes played there – Mel Blount, Franco Harris, Jack Lambert…. My colors were also black and gold in high school – you sell your soul for the black and gold!
They wanted me as a cornerback there. It was an uphill battle though. I was 5’10” and those other corners like Mel were just taller guys. It was like being a Smurf trying to play for the Giants!
I understand you were released in error your first season there?
I had a big game – I returned an interception for a touchdown and did all they asked me to do. I think they just didn’t know who I was. They released me and I took a flight back home. During the flight I guess they watched film and realized they released the wrong guy! When my plane landed in Memphis they told me I had a message at the ticket desk. They had a ticket for me and told me there was a mistake and I needed to fly back to Pittsburgh!
Were there guys in Pittsburgh that helped mentor you at all – and how so?
My best friend still to this day – Keith Gary. We’re still close – it’s been over 37 years. He looked out for me as a free agent and if I needed something I could always talk to him. I thought I should have made the team – I was disappointed – he helped me to finally let that go.
Chuck Noll was a great coach – a disciplinarian ,but you could tell he had compassion and cared about his players. He just wanted you to do the job asked of you to the best of your ability. If you did that he would accept your effort.
Tony Dungy was inspirational – he was an encouraging coach. Woody Widenhofer too. They let you know that you will be successful as an individual if not as a player if you put your hand to the plow and give your best effort.
And it was special being around encouraging guys like Donnie Shell and John Stallworth too. Mel Blount – he taught me how to keep receivers on the inside of you. It’s something I taught as a coach – to sit and wait and let the receiver commit. You have to have that patience and then force the receiver to go where you wanted him to go. He was the best at that.
Donnie Shell made me a harder worker. He told me I was good enough to play in the NFL – I just needed to stop hanging out and doing stuff later at night. I didn’t go out a lot but I did like to hang out after games when I was on IR. He told me I should make sure to focus on practicing and getting better.
How did you get hurt?
I tore my hamstring in practice. I was on IR for a full year and came back then next season.
Any memories stand out most to you of your time there?
I had the chance to tackle an all-time great in Tony Dorsett. I was so happy I tackled him that I didn’t know he was hurt on the play and eventually had to leave the game. I was probably being disrespectful – I was dancing and didn’t realize he was hurt.
I’d go up against Stallworth and Calvin Sweeney every day in practice. John Stallworth gave me the best compliment I ever got. He told me that he never had to worry on Sundays because none of the guys he faced were better than me. I took that to heart. He’s played against the best in the NFL. When he said that to me I said “Wow” and thanked him for saying it.
Do you like the way the NFL has changed today? Do you watch it?
It’s almost like it’s not a pure competition anymore. With all of the advertising and focus on money it’s taken the heart out of the game. I cheer for three teams still. The Steelers, Eagles and Packers. Those were the three teams that gave me an opportunity. The Steelers are first in my heart though. I stayed in the city for 37 years – met my wife and had my kids there. The city has treated me well.