First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?
Well, I work for a company called Core & Main – we’re in the water and sewage business. We sell materials to city water and sewer departments.
Playing football was something I had done my whole life so the adjustment was difficult at first. As a player, that competitive nature is hard to get rid of. But.as a salesman, you get to feel some of that again. It’s win-win-win like football.
In 1984, you were drafted by the Atlanta Falcons – how did you find yourself in Pittsburgh in 1985?
I was released by the Falcons and had several opportunities to stay in the league. There was just something about playing in Pittsburgh that I liked. Their toughness. They ran the ball a lot which I liked. I was a better run blocker than pass blocker so the fit was right for me.
The Broncos and Dallas were also heavy on me. Louis Lipps being in Pittsburgh helped too. We played together at Southern Mississippi and we talked a lot. He was only there for one-to-two years when I came on, but he told me he loved it there. He and I were good friends – he told me a lot about the town and the team.
Did anyone else help take you under their wing when you got to Pittsburgh – on and off the field?
I signed on early, so when I got to Pittsburgh I was able to work out with all of the offensive linemen. Terry Long helped me a bunch – they all really took me in and helped me to learn the offense. We all did that together. We worked out every day together – that’s how you build relationships like I was able to there.
I really enjoyed the city and team. I stayed downtown in an apartment and went back and forth from the facility from there. The city was a big reason I was glad after I made the decision to sign there.
Anything specific Terry and the other guys did to help you?
Terry was just a great guy – he’d do anything to help you. Mike Webster was there too – he’d help all the time as well. All the guys were more concerned about winning that about someone taking their job. That really made the time there enjoyable.
How about the coaches?
The whole coaching staff was first class. Just a lot of good guys.
Any good memories that stand out most to you of your time there in Pittsburgh?
They had a banquet deal they did every year with the American Heart Association. They brought in a bunch of Steelers and had a dinner with fans – it was a money-raiser. Well, I ended up sitting next to Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene. It was just an extremely interesting conversation. Nothing specific – we talked a lot about football stuff. But it’s a memory I’ll never forget.
Who were some of the toughest guys you lined up against?
Back in the day there were three guys that were the hardest guys I ever had to play against. The first was Howie Long. He was the hardest to block because he was so strong and quick. Lawrence Taylor was in his prime – he was so quick – he was a handful. He only weighed about 230 pounds but he was too quick. And Andre Tippett. He was a lot like Taylor except he lined up on the right side and Taylor was on the left.
What happened after that ’85 season in Pittsburgh?
I went back to Atlanta after Pittsburgh released me. I was there for two years then signed with the Cowboys for my last season in the NFL. I had a short stint with the Jets then decided it was time to find another line of work.
Why did Pittsburgh release you – what did they tell you?
They signed back a guy that had left Pittsburgh to go play for the USFL – they brought him back again. Ray Snell was the guy. Back then they only kept 47 guys on a roster – that meant just three offensive tackles. I guess they felt the other guy was better than I was – they were probably right!
What do you think of the way the NFL has changed since you played?
I think I agree with some and disagree with some of the stuff too. Everything evolves. They definitely opened up offenses for the passing game. There are very few ball control offenses now. Now it’s more about throwing the ball.
With head injuries – concussions and CTE – the league has softened up the game a bit to make it safer for players. But it’s a much softer version of the game I am used to. I still enjoy watching it though – it’s just not the game I played.
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