First, tell me about what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?
Well, it took me a while to figure out what would interest me. I tried real estate. Insurance. Taxidermy. But nothing fit.
That’s when I discovered the movie business. Or should I say, it discovered me. I was browsing through the last remaining Blockbuster in Oregon and found myself in the “adult” section. It was like a calling.
I called the producer – his number was on the back of the sleeve. I told him I was a former NFL player and he said yeah, sure, he was interested.
Lucrative?
The money isn’t great. But the hours are good and the fringe benefits…well…I don’t have to explain those to you.
Stepping back – what made you decide to sign with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in the mid-70’s?
Well, I thought it was my best chance then. I mean, the linebacker corps in the mid-70’s was pretty weak. I felt I could come in and make some waves. I ran a clean 4.8 40 and could speak three different languages. I felt the playbook would be easy. Coming from a computer-tech school I also felt I had a great grasp of the analytics-side of the game. That would give me a huge edge over those “athletic” guys.
Did anyone help mentor you when you got there?
Lambert yelled at me all the time, if that’s what you mean. Telling me to get off the field. That I didn’t belong. To find a desk job. All to toughen me up I’m sure. I could see it in his eyes – that unspoken language of care and respect. And there was that one time Mean Joe let me use his deodorant. Well, he actually didn’t let me, now that I remember. Maybe that’s why he tied me up to the goalpost naked. Which, by the way, is the plot of the first film I produced.
Any memories stand out to you most of your time there?
I remember the veterans always playing this game with me. The “who are you and why are you here” game. It was hysterical – they were so convincing. They were always slapping my head whenever I got into the huddle. They were even considerate enough to take my helmet off first – so they didn’t break it.
Once they even invited me to drink with them at a bar in Latrobe. Unfortunately I got lost – I couldn’t find the address they gave me for some reason.
Any on-field plays stand out to you?
So many…so many stand out. The best – when I recovered a fumble in the playoffs. It was about 10 feet out of bounds and I wasn’t technically allowed to be on the sidelines. But I was quick as lightening getting to the ball.
As you suggest, your career was short-lived, What happened?
Well, you know how political this game gets. The “better” guys get to play – the guys with “talent” don’t get cut. It’s pretty hard getting a fair shake with all that stuff going on. And Noll was such a talkative hothead. Trying to get a word in with him over his banter was excruciating. So finally I just marched into his office and said “I quit”.
What did he say?
He just asked who I was, how I got into the offices and why I was returning a uniform with a Walmart tag on it.
Any lessons to impart on young guys trying to get a chance today?
Yeah – don’t take no for an answer. I didn’t. And look where it got me. Don’t let little things like a lack of talent or complete lack of understanding of how the game is played slow you down. Fake it to you make it, I always say. It bought me three days of free cafeteria food at Latrobe. Just 207 1/2 weeks short of an NFL pension.