First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
I’ve had quite a few chapters since then! I got married and had two kids. My girlfriend, now wife, and I traveled the world together then got married and moved up North near where her family lives.
For three years I was in medical device sales then went to another medical device sales company for another year. Now for the past two years I’ve been off work, exploring some entrepreneurial options – some products I’ve been working on. While I’ve been off work I got heavily into tournament paintball – I’ve played with Dynasty who is the best team in the world. I needed something keep my adrenaline going. From that I ended up creating a product for paintball – Dynasty is even supporting it. It’s just taking forever! I’m lucky to have a supportive and amazing wife!
Was the post-football adjustment difficult?
I definitely struggled for a second. When you move on from football it’s a natural struggle with that progression. I had to find what else I liked – what was next. It takes time to explore and find what you want to do next.
I also wrote a book I’m trying to get published on how to hire a football player. Football players have traits that are perfectly aligned for workplace jobs. I interviewed 32 different former and current players from all walks of life to figure out what those traits are that make football players successful and showed how those are exactly what people want in people in the workforce want as well.
Looking back – were you surprised the Steelers drafted you – did they show interest in you pre-draft?
They brought me out there before the draft – I remember meeting with Jerry Olsavsky, mostly, and going over what I did on the field – just talking through it. During the draft process I thought I would get drafted higher than the sixth round. On day two I had some people over for the draft – I knew I wouldn’t go day one but I figured day two would be good. But I didn’t get picked. Day three I just napped mostly through the draft until the Steelers called.
Did anyone help you most when you got there?
Coach Giemont – the conditioning and weight coach – I spent a ton of time with him after I got hurt. And Lawrence Timmons was awesome – he was super open with me. He was comfortable helping me – he knew his position was safe. He and Shae {Shazier} were both awesome.
Lawrence Timmons – he was there for eight years – he was a legend at the time. Every day he showed up. He never took a day off – he was a beast. He took it all seriously. I think I learned a lot from him about that.
What stands out most to you of your time there?
I would say the point that sticks with me most is that I never got to pay the Steelers back for investing in me and fulfilling the potential I had. They stuck with me for two years – put me on IR for two years because they believed in me, but I never had the chance to really earn my keep.
What did they tell you during that time?
Coach LeBeau told me he thought I was a draft steal – that i could have been in the league for 10 years if I stayed healthy. But I hurt my hip a couple of times – ended up having multiple surgeries after tearing my groin, labrum ….
Injuries are part of the game. But the coaches definitely put pressure on me to get better. I understood that pressure – they wanted what was best for me and wanted to see their investment pay off. And that pressure – that’s Football 101. I like that kind of pressure – that’s what football is about.
What did you do while on IR – what is that process in staying connected with the team?
It’s hard – you want to be able to prove yourself. As a guy even who you’re hurt you want to find ways to prove yourself – there was just no chance to do so. I just tried to stay out of people’s way while I was on IR and followed what they were doing. I left no stone unturned, let’s put it that way, in trying to come back. I did all that I could – I feel comfortable knowing that.
What were some of the fun moments of your time there?
Playing! Playing was really fun. Really fun! Just being able to get on the field and rock that Steelers jersey. I remember every play still.
I lived on my own for six months – Ethan Hemer and Rob Branchflower were roommates – after those six months I told them I was moving in with them! Brad Wing was a homie there – Shae too. We played pool, video games and just hung out and had fun together.
What made those defenses so good, besides talent?
They know how to bring pressure. They stressed hard-nosed players but they knew how to get to the quarterback. They were good at designing blitzes but they also just knew how to draft players that were designed to get to the quarterback.
What do you think about the NFL today – do you watch a lot of games?
I watch a fair amount. I coach at the high school level too just to be around the game.
I don’t know if I could survive in today’s game! I was reckless and violent. I’m all for protecting players, don’t get me wrong – but I do miss the days of highlight reel hits. The game now is one-sided for the offense. They know it pays the bills – that offense and touchdowns appeal to the people that don’t know the game as well. But at the same time it’s not fun for defenses. I miss those collisions.
What coaching lessons and approaches did you find yourself using as a high school coach?
Guys like Tomlin and LeBeau – they are great at rallying men. It’s not just about the strategy – Tomlin is so good at getting everyone on board and on the same page. I try to emulate that. The power of will – getting everyone on the same page – convincing them they will win the next game. That there is no world in which you don’t win that next game.
When I coached, every breakdown session I told the kids they would win Friday night. I’d ask them how many believed they would win. The first few times maybe 10 guys would raise their hand. By the end of the week the whole team did. If you keep telling them every day that there is no way they don’t win, it becomes a part of you. That’s what I learned from Tomlin.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
