First off, I know you’re working now for the ATF – how did that come about?
I’ve been there for 11 years now, yeah. I just fell into it. I never saw myself in law enforcement when In was younger. I thought it was a crazy career to get into. When I lived in Hampton my neighbor was a police officer and he tried to recruit me to become one and I said “No way.” I was going to college to play football.
After football though I had hip surgery. When my brother was drafted by Houston I went down with him to figure out what to do next. I met a guy there – Demetrius Flowers – who worked as an ICE agent. He told me what he did and and it sounded similar to sports – I thought it was something I could do.
What was that process like to get in?
I knew I’d qualify – but getting in was difficult. Demetrius showed me how to apply – the process was difficult. The hardest part was getting the start of the process approved. Once that happened you had to pass a written exam then a PT test where you had to run a mile-and-a-half under a certain time. I was used to sprinting when I played football – I never had to run and mile-and-a-half under a certain time.
After I passed that there was a panel interview, then they do a background check and polygraph. There’s an 80% fail rate across all applicants.
I’ve spoken to other former NFL players in law enforcement who said there were similarities to playing in the NFL. Did you find that?
It was similar. There are females too so you have to be more mindful of what you say. But it is like football in that you all have to work together. In football you watch film as a team then individually. I’m more like a detective for the federal government – so I’m watching film – surveillance – on my own and studying information on a guy and building a case on an individual. I’m also talking to informants to get information.
When you issue an arrest warrant, just like football, the team has to come together – everyone has a role. When you enter a house, if someone doesn’t do their role it puts lives in danger – its similar to a defense where if someone doesn’t do their job it hurts the entire defense.
Any interesting experiences you can share?
You’d be surprised at what goes on in your neighborhoods and parking lots! I’ve worked with informants to catch people making pipe bombs and homemade hand grenades. We’ve used helicopters to catch people – it’s amazing what we have at our disposal.
In the pipe bomb case, I had an informant call and tell me someone wanted to sell him pipe bombs. We recorded the call and thought “No way.” So we went and made a buy – 10 of them – and had our guys look at them to make sure they were legit, and they were. The guy that sold them even gave us instructions on how to use them.
Well, the next batch he reached out and told us would have remote detonators this time! We did a buy-bust, where we buy and arrest the guy. That guy is now serving time in federal prison.
Now, I’m dealing with firearms trafficking to Mexico. Even 50-calibers. It’s crazy – they sell them for $10,000 each. It’s crazy what happens on the border.
Looking at your football career – were you surprised the Steelers drafted you in 2004?
I don’t remember even talking to Pittsburgh so it was surprising. I didn’t expect it. I was just thanking God when I got the call. I was at home watching TV just waiting and praying to get a call, so it was a relief when they called.
It’s crazy – I never played linebacker before – I was a defensive end at Virginia Tech. I knew it would be an adjustment. As I bounced around different tams later in my career I realized how good Pittsburgh’s nucleus was. There was little turnover there.
Did anyone help you when you got there to make that adjustment?
Guys like Porter and Haggans were there if I had questions. But the time there was my fault in terms of what I went through. I didn’t utilize the people there enough – I didn’t ask them questions. I knew sometimes when guys did in other places they were given the wrong answers – and I also felt like I was just supposed to know it or figure it out on my own.
I went from college, to the Senior Bowl, to the combine then mini-camp. It was a long year. I didn’t spend enough time in the playbook and sticking around after practice to learn more. That was on me.
It was so different – a new position and learning the playbook. I remember in camp trying to jam Antwaan Randel El and he just swiped my hand so fast I didn’t even slow him down. I struggled to learn when to blitz and sit back. It was all going so fast – I was thinking too much and playing too slow. It all got to my head.
Did anyone help at all?
Haggans and Porter took me aside sometimes – but I just didn’t utilize them enough – especially after practice.
Jerome Bettis and some of those guys – they’d take us to their houses – it was pretty amazing. I’ll never forget two-a-days when I walked past the gym in the morning before practice started and saw James Harrison lifting weights. I was just thinking “What is he doing? Is he crazy?” It right before we were about to get on the field for two-a-days. But he had that mindset that I just didn’t have then,.
What happened after Pittsburgh?
After I was released I went to Jacksonville and got on their practice squad. Then I started working after practice – doing that stuff. I knew I had to pick it up more. But I wasn’t their guy – they didn’t draft me. I was doing a lot better and learning the 3-4 – making interceptions in practice. Juran Bolden took me under his wing and worked with me. But they wanted to send me to NFL Europe and my agent didn’t think that was a good idea.
So after that I signed with the Colts and they moved me back to defensive end. Now I’m playing more – this is what I know. But there’s Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Raheem Brock there! They had some guys at defensive end! I never learned so much about defensive end! They told me I was playing well – but the third week I fucking broke my shoulder. They put me on IR then released me when I was better.
After that Seattle picked me up. But again, I’m not their guy so I was on the practice squad. Week 17 we played the Colts so they asked me in practice to show them some of the the things the Colts did – and that’s when I broke my hip, in practice. I was on the sideline for the Seattle-Steelers Super Bowl.
What did you do after all of that?
I became a Graduate Assistant at Virginia Tech for a bit then played overseas for Hamburg, but I pulled my hamstring there. I went back to the Titans but I hurt my hip again. That’s when I knew it was time to stop playing – and I went and had hip surgery.
What stands out most to you from your time in Pittsburgh?
Just how many Hall of Fame players I played with. I think I was also a bit too big-eyed – too much in awe when I got there. I had to calm down and learn that you only get so many opportunities to make an impact. I remember asking Hines Ward for a ride to once and that was an amazing experience being in the car with him. The older guys – they never talked down to you. I regret not utilizing them enough.
Do you watch the NFL now? Have a team you cheer for most?
I watch it but I don’t have a favorite team. My brother coached for Virginia Tech before they fired the coaching staff – I’m following his career. But if it’s good football, I’ll watch it.