First off, how is your health?
I was diagnosed with ALS in 2016 but am doing pretty good. My gait is slow and a bit awkward, but I have no complaints. The doctors think I’m among the lucky 10% who will live 10 or more years after their diagnosis. My sister Laurie, Tunch Ilkin and several football teammates from Oregon State all passed from ALS within the typical two-to-five year period after being diagnosed. I’m often asked what I attribute my longevity to and I assure everyone it’s just luck. My sister and football friends were otherwise very healthy people and did everything in their power to win the battle but ALS won out.
In 2012 you are believed to have been the first NFL player to ever climb Mount Everest. In 2019, at the age of 70, you completed the Seven Summits – even after having been diagnosed with ALS for over three years. What drove you to achieve these feats?
I got into mountain climbing by accident at the age of 50. Mt. St. Helens in Washington state had erupted about 20 years earlier and several friends and I thought it would be interesting to see what it looked like without its top so we climbed up to take a look. That was like a gateway drug for me, and for the next 17 years I climbed whenever and wherever I could. For a kid from small town Turner, Oregon, it was special to climb the highest peak on all seven continents, but even more so, to see the world, people and special cultures that I otherwise never would have been exposed to.
I know you’ve been reluctant to tell your story up until recently? Why and what does it mean for you to do so now?
Even though most of the day jobs I’ve had in life involved a rather public profile, Kathy and I always valued private family time the most. After my diagnosis, I did not expect to live more than 2-3 years and wanted that time to be spent with those I loved the most. And though I have enormous respect for those who are willing to raise awareness and become a public face in the fight against ALS, it can quickly become all-consuming and take on a life of its own. I chose not to tell even my mother who was in the last few years of her life, I just didn’t figure she needed to be burdened with knowing that two of her kids would die of ALS. I’m very proud to have participated in numerous trial drug studies, research projects and support for the newly diagnosed. But overall, my daily routine involves time with family and close friends that is out of the public eye.
What would you like people to take away from your experiences combating ALS and achieving so much since your diagnosis?
There is no substitute for having a loving family, good friends, a great physical therapist and special doctors!
Career-wise, after your time in Pittsburgh then New England, you got involved in the agricultural and natural resource arena both in business and as a County Commissioner. What about that was attractive to you and how did you get started in that work?
I grew up and worked on farms throughout my youth and my dad was a forester. I guess it’s true the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Was there anything you derived from your NFL experiences that helped you in that work – how so?
I would guess the lesson every player learns from playing in the NFL is to take nothing for granted. Most careers are short, not long. Trades happen, injuries end careers, etc., so I think the sub-conscious take away for me was to never ever be complacent in life. I was very fortunate to work for several great organizations in my post-football career and always considered my employment to be a privilege.
Looking back at your NFL career – were you surprised that the Steelers drafted you in ’71?
I was very surprised to learn the Steelers had drafted me. Art Rooney Jr. scouted a game vs. Houston my Senior year but I had no awareness that he or the Steelers had any interest.
How did you find out – who let you know and how, and did you know there was interest in you pre-draft?
I was walking home from campus after playing in an intra-mural basketball game and someone passing by said they heard on the radio that Pittsburgh had drafted me. I didn’t hear from the Steelers until the following morning and I don’t remember who it was that called. Max Coley was an assistant coach (formerly at the University of Oregon) and they said he would be out in a week or so to offer me a contract. It was all very low key but I did buy a motorcycle with my signing bonus!
How difficult was the adjustment from Oregon to Pittsburgh?
It was definitely an adjustment. I was a small-town kid and Oregon State University, located in Corvallis, was known for its agriculture, forestry and engineering schools and also had a small-town atmosphere.
Who helped mentor you when you got to the Steelers – both on and off the field – and how so?
I give a lot of credit to Ben McGee and Joe Greene. I sat next to Ben in the film room at training camp every night and he would always offer encouragement when he saw something he liked on the film. Joe didn’t say much, but when he saw a teachable moment he would share his thoughts better than any coach could. He always reminded me of that line in the old E.F. Hutton commercial—when Joe talks, people listen. Wide receiver coach Lionel Taylor was awesome. Every night after practice he’d stop by the dorm room in Latrobe just to visit. A really fun and great guy. Once I made the team, Jon Kolb quickly became my best friend. He also had rural roots and we had lots of common interests. I spent most of my off days at his Greene County farm.
What did you observe about how Chuck Noll was developing the team then and how the team was responding to his direction? Did you and he have any interactions that stand out to you today?
Coach Noll was also the Special Teams Coach so most of my interactions with him involved that. He was an enigma to me, but I think he was an excellent evaluator of talent, a good teacher and his record obviously speaks for itself.
What are some of the memories that stand out most to you off the field of your time there- what poignant/funny occurrences do you remember most with teammates, coaches, The Chief, etc?
I have lots of good memories of my time in Pittsburgh but none better than meeting a cute little Middle School English teacher named Kathleen Davin from Bethel Park in 1973. We bought a 90-acre farm in Prosperity and got married in 1974; Jon Kolb was my best man. But for meeting her, I would not have the wonderful life and family I do today. Sadly, Kathy passed away in 2020 of ovarian cancer.
The Pittsburgh Steeler organization was first class in every respect and that started at the top with Mr. Rooney and his sons. Lots of great people in the organization, but my favorite was Tony Parisi the equipment manager. He really took care of the guys, it didn’t matter whether you were a superstar or a backup. He would even help out taping ankles before games and there was none better.
Likewise, what on-field experiences stand out most to you of your time in Pittsburgh?
To be part of the 1972 team that won its division, beat Oakland in the Immaculate Reception game and nearly beat undefeated Miami. Great fun and great experience.
Of course we wouldn’t have needed that play, except I was in large part responsible for the Stabler touchdown run shortly before it. I was supposed to keep containment and hold up Art Shell, but I just failed to do so. If Franco doesn’t score I would have been the goat, for sure.
Why did you retire from football in 1975?
I suffered a pretty bad leg injury – it was actually on Monday Night Football. I couldn’t play after that.
You’ve achieved so much across so many different aspects of life – what achievements are you most proud of and why?
Other than climbing some really great mountains in remote parts of the world, my life has actually been pretty ordinary. Perhaps a little immodest, but I am most proud of my three kids, their families and the great citizens they have become. The greatest honor of my life was being married to Kathy for 46 years. Her love and support helped me navigate life and for that I am very lucky.
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