First of, what have you been up to lately since you retired from playing football?
I’m just happy now being a dad and watching my older son play at Penn State and my younger son play here at North Allegheny. I stayed in Pittsburgh because I still love it here and am enjoying being the best dad I can be. Watching my sons play football has given me the best joy I have had in a long while.
Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult for you in any way?
No – football wasn’t my life. It was just how people looked at me. I wasn’t lost when football was over if that’s what you are asking. I know some guys are but I always knew there was a deadline on all of that stuff. My body told me my time was done and I was fine with that. I’m enjoying watching my kids, golfing – I’m enjoying this time that I’ve had now.
Of course you got into coaching – any coaches and coaching styles help shape the way you now approach coaching?
I was able to be a T.A. my first year at Colorado State. I got the opportunity there to learn what it looks like from the other side. To manage the game planning – how to run the room. All of that stuff.
With LeBeau and Tomlin – they showed me how to put a gameplan together. What to work on when working with guys. Butler, Tomlin, LeBeau – I played for all of them except Tomlin. I was able to play for them and watch them and then as a coach to see better how they got people ready.
They all had an influence on me. I liked how Mike Tomlin went about his business too. They all gave me good inspiration as a coach.
How were Coach Tomlin and Coach Cowher different, from your perspective?
Every coach has their own personality and approach. They were both defensive coaches but they showed me that there was more than one way to skin a cat.
Coach Cowher was like a father figure to me. I didn’t play for Coach Tomlin. But playing for Coach Cowher, you never wanted to let him down because he showed you how much he believed in you.
Coach Tomlin was more like a big brother. He showed and groomed me on how to be a coach. It’s different playing for someone and watching him get you ready to play and to be a captain. Tomlin showed me more how to get other guys ready to play.
Do you want to get back into coaching again?
I definitely do but not right now. I’m happy. Now I get to watch my son play high school football here. I did what I did so I can be right here where I am. I’m not happy how it happened but I am right where I want to be now. I loved my time in Pittsburgh and love the organization – all of those guys.
Let’s talk about mentors – who helped mentor you as a rookie?
Bettis, Kirkland, Gildon…..they showed me the Steeler way. There were lots of vets that helped me on and off the field. Dawson, Steed….I played with a lot of older guys.
They showed me how to be a pro – how to approach taking care of myself and my body. Massages and stuff like that. There were a lot of good guys that helped with that.
Was the 3-4 hard to adjust to? What helped with that?
You’re asked to do a lot in the 3-4. It’s confusing at first but if you do your homework you can get it. Outside linebacker is a unique position but it’s a lot of fun to play. Gildon and Emmons – they all learned from guys like Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene. They were raised by Lloyd and Greene and they in turn raised me in that defense. They were great guys to learn from – what better to learn than from people like that?
Most of us played defensive end in college so we all had to learn to play a new position. We all played with our hand in the dirt. I also played wide receiver in college so that helped me – I was more comfortable playing standing up.
Did you appreciate at the time how much guys like Emmons helped you considering in a way they were grooming you to replace them?
Emmons told me everything that would happen to me and him my rookie year. Every year the Steelers draft your replacement – every year they bring in someone new. It’s what they do. If you’re confident though you help the guys behind you – if you’re hurt you need that guy to be able to play.
It does no good not to teach others who could take your spot. That’s a loser’s mentality. If you’re confident it’s just common sense to help them out. If you’re not confident they’ll take your job anyway and if you are you shouldn’t worry. I wouldn’t leave a family member unprepared to play a game. That’s how I and they all looked at it.
Was it hard for you then for you to adopt that mentality?
I never didn’t want to help a player get ready because I was afraid they’d take my job. That’s a horrible attitude. Guys before me showed me that. Emmons told me that if I could play I’d replace him and they’d let him go. And that’s what happened.
As a player I helped coach up Harrison, Alonzo Jackson and Haggans under me, and I felt comfortable doing it. I didn’t want anyone playing behind me not to be ready. That’s the Steelers culture. If you’re a backup and can play, well if not here you’ll play somewhere else. I never wanted to stunt anyone’s growth.
What memories stand out most to you of your time in Pittsburgh?
The Super Bowl run for sure. We all just played our best football – that was the most fun time of my life playing football. All of those games were special – Indy, Denver… we all knew what was at stake and played our best football. Reflecting on those memories – those were great times. I had such fun playing in those games.
What made that run possible – you played on a number of good teams with good players – what made that team so good?
We were all close. We were a family. There wasn’t anything one person wouldn’t do for the team.
Jerome was the icon player of the team, yet he was one of the most down-to-earth people you’ll meet. He’d invite you to his house to be with his family and to make you feel comfortable. If you have the most important guy on your team thinking like that that sets you up for success.
Not every team has that. Some teams, the higher up guys don’t talk to the other guys. They don’t really think about them like that. But in Pittsburgh we fought hard against that kind of thinking.
How so? Was it more of guys who didn’t fit in weeding themselves out or was it more proactive than that?
I think that’s right – guys that fit in stayed and those that didn’t kind of weeded themselves out yeah. You can’t force someone to fit in but if you’re a selfish player guys can tell right away. I mean, if Jerome Bettis is willing to talk to everyone no matter who they are then shit, the little guy has no chance to say no to someone.
Lastly, you watch the Steelers and football much now? Any sense of pride seeing the impact you had on some of these guys?
I think Pittsburgh has a great chance this year. I think they’re ready and T.J and all of those guys will have a good year. I enjoy watching the games on Sundays!
I take pride in all of the guys I ever coached. I want them all to be able to say they got something from me. That I impacted their career in some way. A few guys I keep a close eye on since I was there with them. Shaq Barrett – I coached him at Colorado State. Bud – he was my first first round pick. Chickillo -I helped him. And T.J. – I had him as a rookie. I helped him to become the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. Shit – I’m happy with all of that and that they know I had at least some impact on them.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
