Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Darryl Ford, 1992

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time playing football?

I’ve been working at International Paper now for the last 25 yeas. I had thyroid issues when I was playing that forced me to stop playing. I didn’t know what I was going to do next but I went with a friend for an interview there and that’s how I got started.

How was the post-football transition for you under those circumstances?

It was difficult – it wasn’t planned. When the hyper-thyroid issues happened I lost too much weight – I had to stop playing and that was hard not having a say in how you stop. I had to deal with that and at the same time I had to figure out how to earn an income. I just got lucky I found the job I did.

How did you end up in Pittsburgh in 1992?

I was drafted by the Cowboys but they released me. I went to play for the Argonauts in Canada – they scouted me in Dallas. I played for them for two years – we won the Grey Cup my second year and I led the them in tackles.

After that second season I was a free agent and I wanted to give the NFL another try. I got a lot of calls – San Francisco, Detroit and others. I tried out for Detroit first and they signed me on the spot. They placed me on their practice squad afterwards.

Then, Jerry Oslavsky got hurt in Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh called and told me they wanted to sign me and put me on their active roster. I told Detroit and they said they liked me and wanted to keep me but didn’t have a roster spot for me, so I signed with the Steelers.

What was your role when you got to Pittsburgh?

I was a backup linebacker and a starter on special teams. My focus was to be the best special teams player I could be. I came in late and didn’t know the system so special teams was my best chance to make an impact and play well.

When I got there Greg Lloyd and the rest of the linebackers were great to me. Yancey Thigpen came in around the same time and he and I hit it off and hung out. Cowher was great at helping get new guys adapted to the team too. He was one of the best coaches I’ve ever been around.

What made the adjustment to Pittsburgh easier for you?

I had been on a few different teams – I bounced around so that helped make it easier. I knew my role. I knew I wasn’t going to come in and help the defense right away, not knowing the system. Special teams were the main thing.

What stands out most to you about that season?

Later on in the season we played Detroit. I enjoyed that game. I had a good game and wanted to show them what I had. That was a fun game for me.

The city and fans in Pittsburgh – they had the greatest fans of any city I had played for. They treated you so well – it was remarkable to me. It was the most exciting time – to play in that stadium with all of those Terrible Towels waving. You could really feed off that as a player.

We all got along there. It was a great atmosphere. We’d all go out and hang out together – it was a great time.

What about playing in the CFL helped you in coming back to the NFL?

My size and speed and agility. I was a linebacker but I played at around 230 pounds. I ran a 4.5 40. So my speed and aggressiveness helped me on special teams. I could play like a  defensive back and linebacker due to my speed and size.

The CFL made me a more well-rounded player. My speed and size helped me there on the wider field – to play in space. That helped me when I came back to the NFL to be more effective on special teams. Special teams – you play a lot in space too. So that helped me to learn how to maneuver in space and make tackles in the open field.

What do you think about the way the NFL has changed the rules on special teams now?

It’s a lot harder for special teams guys now – you don’t get many opportunities to make plays – most kicks go in the endzone now. It’s also harder because you can’t blindside block anymore – you really have to be more careful about helmet placement and technique. The game is a lot faster too.

I do think today’s game would have fit me better. Linebackers today are more the size I played at. It was more of a power running game then – you had guys like Kirkland playing then. I think with teams using so many three-receiver sets – sometimes even five receivers – that would have fit my style. I had the speed and ability to play in space.

What happened after that season in Pittsburgh?

Here’s what happened. The week before the playoffs we had one last game and Coach Cowher brought me into his office and told me they wanted to bring back Jerry Olsavsky as their nickel linebacker. I was really only a special teams guy still. They wanted to place me on waivers but he told me not to go anywhere, they wanted to bring me back. To stay out and they’ll sign me back after the last game so I can play on special teams in the playoffs.

Detroit though had a Monday night game. The Steelers released me on Saturday and Detroit claimed me as soon as I hit the waiver wire. They put me on the active roster and I traveled with them the next day to San Francisco for that last game.

Was it frustrating?

I was upset. I was going to play in the playoffs the following week. And I really liked playing for Bill Cowher. I thought I had a good opportunity to blossom in Pittsburgh. No one thought anyone would claim me right before the last game of the season, but Detroit did.

I guess it was good being appreciated enough by Detroit that they wanted to sign me. But I wanted to stay in Pittsburgh. Between Cowher, the fans, and the guys I played with there, it was the best experience I ever had playing football.

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