First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your NFL days?
Since I left the NFL I played for the AAF and played well, then I went to the XFL and played even better. I still wanted to get back to the NFL but there were a lot of politics involved I guess.
I also started my own apparel brand – Hero Apparel. It’s a national brand now and getting noticed more.
Other than that, I’ve been coaching kids – I’ve had an interest in coaching and have gotten interest from high school and college teams. I think I’ll end up going that route – I’ve coached some seven-on-seven teams in the Summer and I’m still training and staying in shape just in case something does happen with an NFL team.
Are you still involved in your foundation as well?
I couldn’t really keep it open after I was done playing. Without the platform the NFL gives you to push the foundation and attract sponsors, people care less about working with you.
As you explore coaching, what coaches have influenced the way you hope to approach being a coach?
In college I had so many different coaches – two head coaches, five-to-six position coaches, three or four defensive coordinators… I took the best from each one of them. Then in the NFL I had some coaches – some who played the game and some who did not. I found that many who didn’t play weren’t as good as those who did. Some actually know how to coach and some don’t. Sometimes I’d hear a coach say something and think they had no idea what they were talking about. I wouldn’t say anything but it would go through my head.
I think Pittsburgh had the most coaches who actually played – Mike T., Jerry Olsavsky, Joey Porter, LeBeau – I had so many NFL coaches to learn from. I’m excited to implement those lessons and see how that goes.
Its funny. I always thought I’d make a lot of money playing football. Maybe I’ll do it by coaching instead.
What brought you to Pittsburgh when you signed there in 2016?
I played in Denver for four years and went to a Super Bowl – I didn’t want to leave Denver but they had committed to other guys they invested in. I thought my career was going to take off there.
In Tennessee, I was the new guy in a new pond. I didn’t get many opportunities to play there. But Dick LeBeau was there and I think after that season he referred me to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a similar defense and I was a good special teams player in Tennessee – I think that helped with their interest in me.
Anyone show you the ropes when you got there in Pittsburgh as the new guy?
Arthur Moats showed me the ropes more than anyone. Sammie Coates some too. It was a full-blown competition at linebacker when I got there for a spot, so to be 100% honest a lot of them weren’t as willing to help. Moats was a good dude though – he went to James Madison and that’s where I was from.
It was hard to fit in until I made some plays. Then they started showing me some love. I’d work out some with Ryan Shazier but I think it was tougher for him. I was the new guy just trying to get an opportunity, so I think maybe it was harder for him to hang out with me.
I prided myself though in not caring what anyone else thought about me – coaches or anyone. I felt I was a top linebacker but I never got the opportunity. I made my mistakes and it took me a while to hit my prime – I didn’t do that until late – when I was 29. It took time for things to click – then I hurt my hamstring.
What do you remember most about your days in Pittsburgh?
Probably just how super-physical it was there. I was a physical player but those training camps – wow. They were hitting every day. Shamarko Thomas was a big hitter. I forgot to mention him actually as one of the guys who helped me – he was a good dude and hit so hard…
In Latrobe – I just remember the rookie shows, and me going up against LeVeon Bell one on one. We’d go 50-50 in our matchups – he’d get me in the first one then we battled all camp. Mike T. yelled at me that I couldn’t keep going up against him at first – I had to earn that!
Any of those other guys stand out to you?
I think those guys all wanted the best for the team. Cam, Pouncey….Pouncey and I would go at it a lot – he would get dirty and see if he could strike some fear in you but I didn’t let him push me around. You had to butt heads there to earn respect. It was a family atmosphere but you don’t get into the family for free!
Any fun memories?
Rat battles with Chickillo and Bud…AB dancing and crazy games versus Baltimore …basketball games at Heyward’s house. Those are all fun memories. Little Terrio dancing in the locker room – that got a lot of attention on Instagram!
I wish I could do it all again. I was able to make some big plays and play in some big games – forcing a fumble on Edelman, plays like that.
I’d love to get back in the game. But I think I’m like that old girlfriend no one wants anymore!
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
