First, tell me about your new fitness center in Georgia – how that got started and what it is?
It was in the process of over eight years. I talked to a lot of guys. I always loved the atmosphere and fellowship of working out and training – and the growth you get out of it. I started training at a training facility and as I progressed I noticed I was motivating others as well as myself through the hard work I was putting in. I kept pushing myself and they saw how hard I worked and started telling me I should open my own gym.
A year or so after I had a vision – I knew I wanted to do something big – that I wanted to help others become better. I put the vision to work – I made my own gym at home first and had guys come over and work out with me at the farm.
My first year in New York I’d start getting more guys coming to my gym. I’d tell people “The gym is open!” and hung a sign and had some motivational quotes up too, trying to uplift people. The next year I’d tell people “The gym is still open!” and the next year it was “The gym is open – always!”
I had the vision of then starting my own training facility – I just didn’t know how to do it then. But I had a lot of influential people that got behind me and helped me. I came up with a name – Team MVP. Because it was about the team – not about me. It’s about what we can do for you – whether you’re an athlete, a mom or pop or kid. We’re here to make you better – it’s about your goals, not mine.
Who helped shape this mindset in you?
My father, number one. He was so tough on me. He taught me to work hard – always. My uncle was number two. Roderick Roberts – he played at Georgia Tech and would let me wear his letterman’s jacket. He told me I could achieve this too – and more. That I should never give up – I should just work hard and stay consistent with it.
How about in the NFL – were there people there that helped foster that in you as well?
In Pittsburgh – Johnny Mitchell – he was one of the most influential people in my life. He was always honest with me – extremely tough but fair. He would break you down so he could build you back up again to be a better player and a better man. He would tell me that no one was here to hurt you, but I needed to get to the point that I didn’t have to think about what to do next. And that would be true in life as well as on the field. If you don’t have to stop and think about what to do next – if you continue to do the right thing over and over – it’s easier to do the right thing afterwards because you’re not stopping to think about it.
As a young guy it was hard to deal with. But as I got older I saw that he wasn’t just hard on me, he was hard on every young guy coming in. He said it’s not just about being physically strong and tough – you have to be mentally tough. If you’re not you get mentally fatigued and that’s when you get beat.
How was Coach Tomin?
Coach Tomlin didn’t have many rules. He told you that if you are playing here you have to be a champion. You have to have that mindset. “Take the field” is what he’d say. For him, the standard really was the standard. The standard was high and it didn’t change for anyone.
Even the strength and conditioning staff – they were all great. It is a great staff because they don’t just throw stuff at you – everything they do they are trying to teach you something. And they are all so close-knit. It was a great place to be.
And in New York now?
Now that I’m in New York it’s the same thing. It’s a great group that all want the best for each other and love the game. I’ve been fortunate in my career to come in contact with so many great people. The staff in New York – from the cafeteria to the equipment guys – they are amazing, hard-working people.
Why did you decide to go to New York in free agency and is it hard teaching guys who want to take on your reps?
It was a different scheme for me that I liked. Todd Bowles called me and told me that they played a different kind of 3-4 – a more attacking style. It was nothing against Pittsburgh, but it was a scheme I liked more for me. Todd said he wanted to work with me and liked that I was a veteran leader. When I was in Pittsburgh Brentson Buckner was there as an assistant coach and he taught me stuff and I listened to him every day – about making sure I taught others the same way I was taught. He knew the way.
It wasn’t about rep counts for me. It really was about the different style of defense. Not getting more reps is ok with me. I understand the business but I know I am still able to play at a high level. I’m like a fine wine – I get better with age! And I realized that the older I got the more I needed to learn to help slow the game down.
What made you decide to sign with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent to start your career?
I was always a Steelers fan. I saw them win the Super Bowl and they were like a bunch of brothers playing together. I didn’t have any brothers growing up – just my teammates. I watched the Steelers – I remember Harrison’s interception and how he ran it back for a touchdown with everyone blocking for him. There was no selfishness at all.
So I decided I wanted to sign with the Steelers when I got the chance. People asked why I would sign with them – they were a stacked team. But I believed in me. I had faith in me. Coach Mitchell when I got there told me it didn’t matter where or if I was drafted. That if I worked hard I could find a spot on the team or at least get some film on me. I found ways to get reps – I learned special teams and earned the respect of the veterans and over time they saw I could play. Coach Mitchell told me that no matter what, he’d stand on the table for me – that he respected me and believed in me.
Any memories stand out?
All my memories are good ones. Every learning experience – every day was a learning experience there. I love both organizations I’ve played for. I’m just proud and happy to do it all at this level.
Excited for the Steelers-Jets matchup? You get more excited for this matchup?
I don’t treat any game any differently. I look forward to the first game of the year and the first kickoff. I don’t get more excited playing the Steelers. That takes the focus away from us and puts it on them. I want to keep the focus on us!
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
