First, what have you been up to since football and how did you get started in this work?
When I played for the Steelers, I broke my ankle two years in a row. After Pittsburgh I went to Buffalo then broke my leg playing against the Steelers – I didn’t have great luck with Pittsburgh! I played in the league a couple of more years with Green Bay and Atlanta then retired in 2003.
After that I joined a steel company that produced structured steel and worked my way up to running the company when I was 33. I’m still in that business now though with a different company – Brown Strauss Steel. I’m the President there and we’re pushing our way East. Who knows, maybe we’ll be in Pittsburgh soon – it’ll come full circle.
Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult?
It was tough – the injuries helped in a way. I was an All American in college and won the Outland Trophy – I expected to have a different NFL career. I was processing what I would do after football over my five years in the league due to the injuries – so I was kind of prepped for it. But it was hard, as it is for everyone. I was lucky to find a good career I am happy with.
Rumor has it your first love was film – is that still an interest for you?
Ha – I did go to UCLA to study film to but I realized my first love was football. I never circled back on that career after football – I put all of my energy and focus into football and never prepared myself for that kind of work in film. I didn’t get my major in film – had no contacts in the business. At 26 it just wasn’t my goal anymore. I still do love film though.
Were you surprised to be drafted by the Steelers in round three – how did you find out/who called you and what did they tell you?
I got a call from Tom Donohoe – it was a long day. In the second round they called me and told me to hold on, then they said they would call me later and ended up taking Scott Shields. They called me again in the third round and took me then.
I was surprised – I had no idea they would take me – but few guys know when and where they’ll go unless they are first-rounders. I was excited to be drafted by Pittsburgh – they had such a great history and I loved the city and the coaches and players.
I read a lot about your decision to come out early and the selection of agent Leigh Steinberg -what went behind those decisions for you and how stressful was it all?
You never really know if it’s the right decision. I started playing when I was young, and my teammates – we had a great streak at UCLA then. We were unbeaten for 20 games in a row and many of those core guys were graduating. I felt like that chapter closed for me. We had all set goals for ourselves and we were one game away from a championship game. I felt at that point it was time for something new. I was loving football then and wanted to go on to that next chapter.
As a 6’8″ tackle, how does that size help and become problematic for you?
It’s all about leverage. Every body allows for strengths and weaknesses – I had leverage and length and that helped me in my pass-blocking. But it was tougher playing against shorter guys. There were pros and cons but my style of play definitely had me rely on my length a lot.
Anyone help mentor you when you got to Pittsburgh?
Mark Bruener, Dermontti Dawson, Alan Faneca – there were great leaders on that team. Jim Sweeney too – rest in peace. He was like my big brother when I first got there.
It’s cliche’ I know, but they were all pros. I watched how they worked and approached the game – I just learned from watching them. They were also very open and willing to teach. They were really amazing and competitive players.
What was the hardest adjustment to the NFL game/life for you?
I was hurt for that first season – it’s a long season when you transition from college to the pros. They worked 24 hours a day at getting better. I felt I had worked hard in college, but I watched these guys work in-season and saw what it took to succeed. Seeing that helped me mature as a player – especially when I was in Buffalo – it took hold of me there. Seeing that work ethic and never-ending focus of players who always wanted to be better.
What are some of you best memories of your time in Pittsburgh?
Looking back on it now I can still picture the offensive line room. I still feel like I’m in those meeting rooms. It was old school – in Three Rivers Stadium. I still remember seeing my name etched on the wood-burnt nameplate in the locker room. Being a part of that even for that short time was great.
The team was a brotherhood and it was nice to be a part of that. I was hurt most of my time there- I got to play a few preseason games that second season, that was it. The rookie dinner though – that was epic. We went to Morton’s downtown, and the steaks were plenty and the bill was hefty. It was an equal opportunity spend-fest!
What happened after the ’99 season and what did the coaching staff tell you?
Most of it was matter-of-fact. Kevin Colbert wished me the best. I never got a chance to say goodbye to anyone. We had just played the Colts in Mexico and got back. They grabbed me and took me upstairs quickly, and that was it. It was a tough day, but I understood. I just couldn’t stay healthy.
Do you still watch the NFL today?
I still watch and enjoy it. It’s different – the game has evolved. I feel now like those old vets that told me when I was a rookie about the old ways. Now I tell stories to guys like I was playing back when they wore leather helmets. Those two-a-days and all those practices with pads – guys today can’t fathom that.
The year after Pittsburgh, when I went to Buffalo, I remember practicing and how hot it was. I remember them calling all of us up to talk to us. The coaches told us that Korey Stringer had just passed away. They talked to us about that and I feel like a lot changed after that day. Not that they didn’t pay attention to it before, but they paid much more attention to things like hydration.
It was a very real, marked moment for me. Someone who played the same position as me just passed away doing the same thing I was doing. That was a very sobering – I still remember that moment.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
