First – how did your start go in Pittsburgh?
Well, starting with my season in Pittsburgh, I can say I had a unique experience in Pittsburgh. That was the year of the NFL strike and that year a lot of my fellow draftees, free agents, and veterans who were on the bubble reported to camp in July.
It was very intense – coming from a Lou Holtz coached team at NC State, we had much tougher practices, and even after practices we’d have more in-person work with the coaches. Playing for a pro team was like a dream – it was a very special place to be in and a very unique situation.
Were you surprised to be drafted by the Steelers?
I really was just hoping to be drafted by anyone and make it in the NFL. I got two-to-three calls from Dallas but I was in shock when I got the call from Mr. Rooney and him telling me I was drafted by the Steelers.
It took me and my family by surprise. There weren’t big draft parties then – no big TV draft events. It was just one lone phone call from Mr. Rooney.
Why do you think they drafted you?
I remember before the draft Lou Holtz called me into his office and asked me to represent N.C. State at the All American Bowl. That was the first time I had the opportunity to meet Mike Webster. He represented Wisconsin in that game – and the game was coached by Johnny Majors. I was recruited to NC State by Jack Stanton who was a Western PA guy too – so there was a Western PA flavor throughout my career!
You got to know Mike Webster well and made the team that first season…
Mike and I were later reunited in Pittsburgh of course. Our wives were both named Pam and we were roommates on the road that first season. I found an apartment for Mike – he was living with us before that. We were both offensive guards that first season and started the first preseason game versus New Orleans. I was injured my second game versus Chicago when Gordon Gravelle rolled into my knee and was out until the last game of the season. The vets all played in the fourth game and it looked like I would have little chance to make the team after that.
But the next preseason game against the Redskins the vets all started again – they were getting ready for the season to start. Sam Davis broke his hand in the second quarter of that game. I went up to him and told him I saw that his hand was hurting him – but Sam was never one to admit he was hurting and told me he was fine. I said to Sam that this was probably going to be my last game there and I could tell it was bothering him, so why not let me play. He told me then that he’d let Ralph {Berlin} know and I was able to go in and play.
I made some good offensive line calls during the game and I think that must have impressed Coach Noll – and I made the roster.
The last preseason game, Mike Webster and I started against the Cowboys – I remember lining up against Bob Lilly, LeRoy Jordan and Jethro Pugh. After that I was relegated to special teams. If scores got bad, like when we played the Colts, Mike and I would get to go in and play. But by the end of the season including the playoffs and Super Bowl, we were tired. It was like playing two full college seasons in one season by then!
Anyone help mentor you most as a rookie?
At that point there weren’t so many mentors. Sam Davis was the closest thing. Most were fighting for jobs and it wasn’t a 53-man roster like today and there was no practice squad. The NFL after the strike bumped rosters to 47 players, but it dropped down to 43 again the following season. Everyone was friendly – it’s not like they would hold you back, but everyone had their own friendships. And it didn’t help that Mike and I went right home after practice to our families – a lot of the vets probably got together after practices for a beer.
Any fun stories of Mike Webster you can share?
The funniest story I remember was that it was a brutally hot Summer in ’74. I remember Mike and I getting back to our room after lunch and both falling into our bunks, and Mike telling me he just hoped he could make it for five years! In hindsight it’s a funny statement looking at what he did!
When we worked out in Texas too, we’d work out at Texas Tech on AstroTurf. It was so hot it would burn your feet. We’d be exhausted, but after that Mike would look at me and ask me, after all that, if I was ready to lift! I needed to go back and rest – I was so tired. But he was so focused on football.
You do some officiating now as well since you retired, correct?
I’ve been officiating midget football to college football for 31 years now.
On Fridays in camp I’d sometimes work with the Steelers – they asked me to come in and officiate some practices. More like a police car that sits on the highway so cars slow down, that’s how we are at those practices. We’d only call things like offsides or illegal formations – everything was on film for them to review.
The speed that the game is played at now is phenomenal. I don’t associate with the players during those practices – that is understood – an unwritten rule. Tomlin once came up to me and told me he understood I was a member of the brotherhood! I told him it was before these kids were born. He told me they probably don’t have any idea what a “Moon” Mullins is now!
It’s been a very unique agreement – I’m not sure the NFL officials or Pittsburgh chapter of officials are as appreciative!
Any other memories of your time with the organization?
I played with Kevin Colbert’s brother in college, so Kevin and I have brief conversations. He told me if I needed anything to let him know.
When I worked at Hempfield the Steelers called to ask to use the field there – the rain had damaged the Steelers’ field and they didn’t like practicing on AstroTurf. I said sure. Well afterwards I saw a gentleman with a young boy there – he introduced himself as Kevin Colbert and told me he understood I may know his brother. He thanked me for helping out with practice and I told him I was glad to help. He offered to give me preseason tickets, but I told him that wasn’t what it was about. I just wanted to help the Steelers organization.
Any last thoughts?
I have a deep appreciation to the Rooneys, Chuck Noll, Lou Holtz, Larry Beightol, my offensive line coach at NC State, my high school coaches, my teammates, my family, parents, who never missed a game at any level, and especially to my wife who endured dates that were spent watching me train or missing quality time during our courtship, and after we were married, because I was training for the next level.
Thank you for taking the time to interview a player who had the opportunity to be a teammate of players, coaches, and an organization who has a special place in NFL history.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
