First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?
I had a kid not too long ago – in fact we just recently had his birthday party. The whole time I played football I knew I wanted to open up my own plumbing company once football was over. I moved back to Knoxville and opened up a full service plumbing company here.
Was the post-football transition difficult?
It wasn’t hard. I had an opportunity to play in the XFL and USFL but I decided with a new kid – I knew I wanted to start that net chapter and start my plumbing business.
Stepping back – coming from a small college like Tusculum, anyone help mentor you since you got to the NFL?
William Gholston was a close friend in Tampa Bay – he helped me along my journey. Really all the defensive linemen in every room of every team I played for – the older guys all did all in their power to help you out. They had been there before and were able to help guide and help me.
Were there particular things they helped with most or biggest adjustments you ad to make?
Just as a Division II guy, no one came to our games – they were smaller crowds. The amount of people that went to NFL games – I loved that. That was a great aspect of the NFL. It made me play harder. And the people that were die-hard fans – they knew who you were even as a practice squad player.
What brought you to the Steelers in 2015?
Pittsburgh was the right fit for my frame. I saw guys like Cam, Stephon Tuitt – those were similar frames – it was a good fit for me. It made sense. Tampa Bay was great, but Pittsburgh was more for me. They claimed me off of waivers. I wasn’t sure about it at first but when I got there I realized how exciting it was to get signed by them.
What made it exciting to get picked up by them?
They were so good with communication. They were honest about what it would take to make the team. I liked that. Not all teams are like that. Sometimes you’re on the chopping block and you don’t even know it. In Pittsburgh they were open with me. They told me exactly what I needed to do – that if I did this or that I would make the team. They gave me the guidelines to make the team and a lot of teams don’t do that.
Even when I was on the practice squad, they told me exactly what I needed to do to make the active roster. They gave me the blueprint. Off the field, in the weight room they told me they wanted me to get stronger. And I sat back and watched guys like Cam. He was a great leader – I learned from him.
What did they show you?
I saw guys on the practice squad get activated because they worked so hard on the practice squad. If you can dominate against the first-team you’d get an opportunity. That showed you that they were always watching film – even of practices. That stood out to me. Everyone wanted a hat on Sundays and Mike T. was always telling guys – “Two dogs, one bone!”
Did any of those guys take you under their wing then?
It was more just the whole locker room. We’d all joke and have fun after practice. The older guys would invite you to their homes for dinner. It was like a brotherhood – the same as when you were in college. You developed a relationship and all had a good time together.
What impact does that have on you as a younger player?
You feel like you have to hold yourself to a higher standard. You don’t want to let your brothers down. They become like your family. So you end up holding yourself to a higher standard.
Any fun memories from that time in Pittsburgh?
I remember the music – it couldn’t be too loud in the locker room. It was a respect thing. I wore headphones anyway, but the only time the music was allowed to be loud was maybe on game days. In Tampa Bay you’d go into the locker room and the music would be blasting. But not in Pittsburgh. Every organization is different – they all do things their own way.
James Harrison was one of the funniest guys in the locker room. He, AB and Dupree too. They all had their own senses of humor. It was just a lot of fun times.
What made you decide to leave in 2016?
Hindsight is always 20-20. It was my choice to leave. I could have stayed for another camp, but the grass always looks greener. It was so early in my career, I didn’t realize how great it was in Pittsburgh.
I signed with the Titans in free agency. Mike T. sat me down and gave me examples of guys on the practice squad who made it onto the active roster. I just wanted more sunlight. I felt like I could have success if I had a better opportunity. And the Titans made it sound good – they sold me on things there well! They had a new coaching staff and were starting things over there, so it felt like it would be a better opportunity to make the roster there.
Looking back on it, I wouldn’t change to for anything, but I still think “What if….”
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