First – let me know what you’re doing with yourself now?
Now, I’m taking time off, trying to give back by training kids – helping them improve their football skills. People in the neighborhood asked me for help, so I work with them on seven-on-sevens , that sort of thing. I also got involved in the insurance world, selling insurance.
So insurance and training. Unless a phone call happens to come, I’m done with football. I put in seven years – I still feel like I have something left but I can only control what I can control and I’m happy with what I’m doing.
Was the decision to move on from football difficult for you?
Honestly, it wasn’t tough. I was always thinking about what was next for me. I was never one to sit still. The passion for the game never goes way. But I thought about what I’d like t do next – what I would enjoy. I made connections while I was playing and the transition wasn’t super-overwhelming. I was pretty prepared for it and am enjoying where I’m at now.
You played for eight teams over your seven year career – how difficult was that – how did you handle that stress?
It wasn’t that stressful. Two of those moves were my decision- I was picked up by other teams off of practice squads – I chose to get paid to be active.
I was just trying to play. The hard thing – the thing that’s different is trying to learn the playbook every time – new faces, new coaches, new locker rooms. That makes it difficult to showcase yourself and make a team.But I attacked it – I went at it like my back was against the wall. I always had to prove myself throughout my career.
I took advantage of every rep I could. I tried to build a resume, but if you’re not on the field on Sundays you’re not really playing.
How did you find yourself in Pittsburgh?
It started with my last preseason game when I played for Carolina versus the Steelers. I finally got in in the third quarter – I finally got some touches. My first carry against the Steelers I ran 55 yards untouched for a touchdown – I ran past their defense.
But I got cut by Carolina for some reason though. I got picked up by the Steelers the next game. I had few touches all season before all of the injuries went down.
And then you end up playing in the playoffs.
In my seven-year career that was my only playoff experience. The first game the team was pretty stressed about the running back situation. They didn’t know what Touissant and I could do.
How did the coaches and players handle that?
Tomlin was a straight-shooter. He said it didn’t matter who was in the stable next – we were up next. Coach Saxon gave a talk to give everyone confidence. We were all hungry – we had everything to prove.
AB had a new pair of cleats he never used – he gave me those to use and I wore those in the game.
My first carry, I remember juking a guy then ran around the end and stiff-armed a guy before I was pushed out of bounds. I almost ran over the heated seats. I was so excited after that run. All the guys were trying to come over and congratulate me but I didn’t want none of that. I just wanted back on the field.
I just wish we could have beaten Denver. Playoff games are just so different – they have such a different feel. I was just two games away from a Super Bowl.
Even after success when you carried the ball, the next season they didn’t bring you back…any idea why?
I don’t like to bad-talk or down-talk people. I’m used to being the underdog and having to fight for everything I get. I wish I knew why I got less carries and wasn’t brought back. I have no idea why. Maybe I wasn’t the right mold for them – maybe I wasn’t what they were looking for.
I’m not one to point a finger – I wish I was brought back so I could have been in Latrobe and had that experience. It would have given me a chance to showcase myself more. I would have loved to have had that experience.
Did anyone help take you under their wing a bit when you f=got to Pittsburgh – show you the ropes a bit?
Well I wasn’t a rookie and I was more of a family man – I had my girl and had a daughter I spent my time with. I would go out to dinner with the running backs and fullbacks – D Will, LeVeon, Will Johnson, Rosie….we’d go out before games for dinner. But I didn’t get to experience Latrobe – I came in later on. Latrobe is where guys bonded and met each other more and I did’t have that experience.
As a trainer and coach now, are there any experiences or approaches that you use today that are taken from the coaches you played for?
I coached at Jacksonville University before they discontinued the program there. I molded my style and took something from all of the great coaches I played for – from Edsall and Richardson to Bradley and Tomlin and even watching and listening to coaches like Leslie Frazier.
If I see a player make mistakes, I am passionate about helping the player – by delivering a clear message that everyone understands. That’s what I learned most. To be clear. I want to paint a picture everyone understands for these kids. The NFL is not promised to you. You need a plan A and B. I’m helping these kids grow to be men. And I want them to have a better career than I did.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
