First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?
Right now I’m helping train guys for the combine and pro days. I have a buddy who runs the House of Athletes and I’m working with him when they need me. I’m also supporting my kids in their athletic pursuits as well.
Was the post-NFL transition difficult?
At first it was difficult – you play for 11 years and have the same routine and then you are out of that routine. You feel lost at first and have to re-find your way. But I adapted. You come to the conclusion that you were blessed to play for so long. I didn’t think growing up that I would ever play in the NFL. But once you tell yourself it’s over you can then start to find your way again.
As an undrafted free agent, were there guys early in your career that really helped you the most?
It’s funny – Mike Tomlin had an internship with the Browns when I was first there – he remembered me when I went to Tampa Bay and he was there as a coach – when Tony Dungy brought him in. He remembered me when I got there.
That was early in his career – me, Dwight Smith, Dexter Jackson – we were young guys then playing for him. He was always a straight-shooter with us – the good and bad stuff. He was truthful with us. He told us he had a plan to be a had coach someday. We just looked at each other and said “Yeah, right.” We were all just taking things day-to-day then. But lo and behold, look at him now! He’s a Hall of Fame head coach!
I know you moved around a lot over your career – different teams and even leagues. How hard is that emotionally and even logistically as a player?
It wasn’t as difficult as some people make it out to be. I was single at the time and had no kids. It’s your job – you just have to adapt and do your job to the best of your ability. They’ll keep you if they think you can help them. Some make it harder than what it is. It gave me the chance to learn different schemes and meet different people.
You played for both Cleveland and Baltimore as well as a shorter stint with the Steelers. How were those teams different from one another?
Cleveland was what Cleveland does, if you know what I mean! We called it the mistake by the lake. The weather was gloomy, the cafeteria food was bad, the facilities were bad…
I was in Pittsburgh for just a few weeks, but those guys welcomed me with open arms. If you can help a team win you were all on board. They asked me questions about the Ravens to since we were playing them. They wanted to know any nuanced thing that could help them. Pittsburgh was a good place to play – it paid the bills!
Yes I had that familiarity with Tomlin too. The Ravens games were the closest thing there was to a college rivalry. When I was in Baltimore the first time – in 2006 – I remember walking into the locker room the week before the Steelers game and they had printed t-shirts for all of us that had a Raven giving the finger and the shirt said “Fuck the Steelers!” I was just like, “Wow!” Those were hostile games.
And Baltimore?
Baltimore is still my favorite team. They really care about their guys – it was a family atmosphere – from the guys in the locker room, equipment guys, cafeteria guys….it was a great place for players and ex-players. I’m forever grateful to them. My first child was born in Baltimore!
What memories of those Steelers games stand out most to you when you played for Baltimore?
Every game we knew we’d be sore – the most physical team usually won. And the team that won usually won the division.
Hines Ward, Nate Washington, Santonio Holmes – those were good matchups. We felt we had the number one defense and they felt they had the number one defense. They were battles of attrition.
One story I remember was the game I played in Denver were my kidney was lacerated. They thought I just bruised my ribs and I kept playing. On the plane home I was sitting next to Ed Reed and he could see I was in discomfort. I was lying down trying to get comfortable. Ed told the Ravens doctor on the plane – Dr. Tucker – and he gave me an IV. We were 45 minutes from home and were passing over Pittsburgh, so they made an emergency landing in Pittsburgh, of all places.
So they treated you in Pittsburgh?
I was in Pittsburgh for three days – in intensive care. The nurses even brought me a care package – with a Terrible Towel in it! When we played Pittsburgh later that year I brought it with me and stomped on it when we won!
I know you weren’t in Pittsburgh for a long time, but what did you notice about the team during that time?
The Steelers were a brotherhood. It was a laid-back culture. In Baltimore we practiced at full speed, and when I got to Pittsburgh I did that in practice. Dick LeBeau said “CI – don’t go so fast!” Guys were wearing tennis shoes in practice. They were saving themselves for Sundays I guess, even though they were still a hard-nosed team on gamedays.
Lastly, especially as a former nickelback, what are your thoughts on the way the game has changed since you played?
I argue with people all of the time on it. You can’t hit anybody now. I joke around with Ray Lewis, Derrick Brooks, Ed Reed, Ronde’ Barber – I argue with those guys now that we couldn’t play today without getting 250 yards in penalties!
Brian Branch in Detroit was kicked out of a game for a hit Rex Ryan would have highlighted that play in the film room! Anyone can play today. I think the attention to detail and the toughness we had then – it’s not needed in today’s game as much. I don’t know how defensive guys do it today.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
