First, let me know a little about what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?
I always was invested in some way in real estate – owned some properties. I now own Compass Management and manage single-family homes, duplexes, condos, and apartments. I got into property management over 10 years ago and started the company in 2015 and really enjoy it.
Was the post-NFL transition difficult for you?
I was blessed – I had my degree from Purdue already when I was drafted in ’86 by Houston. My last year in the NFL in Pittsburgh I was already interning in the offseason in Indianapolis as an engineer for the city. In minicamp in 1990, I was still hurting from a knee injury when I was released. So I really just went back to work – it wasn’t that difficult. I was there for nine years.
The key is making sure you have your degree and to start really reaching out for your next opportunity before your career starts to end.
You came to Pittsburgh as a free agent in 1989 – why Pittsburgh?
It was one of those things. A lot of people don’t remember that that was the first time the NFL had free agency – it was Plan B free agency then. I was in my house in Indianapolis studying for flight school to get my private pilot’s license when I got a call from my agent in the morning. He was hyperventilating, trying to explain the new free agency plan created by the NFL.
Five minutes later I started getting calls from other teams – the Vikings, Dallas, Eagles, and Pittsburgh. By five pm that night I was in Orlando running the 40 for the Vikings. I didn’t get home for a week after that, working out for those other teams.
I thought Dallas would sign me but they sold the team to Jerry Jones and they decided to go another direction, so I decided on Pittsburgh.
Why Pittsburgh?
Coach Hoak and Noll were big influences. I liked them – plus I had two other teammates from Purdue there – Rodney Carter and Rod Woodson. I also had other friends in Pittsburgh. I felt it was a natural fit for me too – it was a fullback-oriented offense and I fit into that scheme.
Did anyone take you under their wing there and show you the ropes, so to speak?
Woodson and Carter for sure – and I had a good relationship with Merril Hoge as well – so that made it an easier transition. The whole team and organization was very professional – they did a great job of making you feel comfortable. The Steelers always treated you like a professional – some teams don’t do that – they treat you like assets. The Steelers were more of a family atmosphere. I guess that’s indicative of the fact they won so many championships.
Did you get any good-natured grief for coming to the team from a division rival like Houston?
Not really – we all knew it was a business. And then most teams liked to sign players who played for division foes. They understand their abilities and character – they had seen them up close. At that time, 25 guys for each team were made eligible and they only had 45 guys on a team.
I did get the chance to play against Houston that season – I got a lot of handshakes and hugs before the game from my ex-teammates and coaches. I had a lot of guys there I was close to. They made me feel aa comfortable as possible before and after the game. Now, during the game, that was a different story!
How so?
Just a lot of jawing back and forth; A lot of trash-talking. Mike Rozier was a good friend of mine – he still is. He was doing a lot of it – but it was all in good fun.
What stands out to you most now of your time in Pittsburgh when you look back on that season?
One thing that stands out – in Houston we practiced for the first two years I was there in San Angelo, Texas then we moved to San Madras, South of Austin. We had few people come to those practices to watch us but it was hit or miss, even on weekends. There wasn’t a lot of enthusiasm.
In Pittsburgh we’d practice in Latrobe and I never saw anything like it in my three years playing for Houston. We’d have 10,000 people there watching us. I don’t think I was ever asked to sign an autograph after practice in Houston – we did that all the time in Latrobe. It was such a different story. The fans are just different – they are the best and loyal.
What happened after that one season in Pittsburgh – injury?
Yeah – I had a knee injury that I thought would get better during the offseason. I lost a step, and in the NFL you don’t have a step to lose – I sure didn’t!
I remember walking into the office with Noll and Tom Donohoe there at the end of mini-camp. We talked for an hour and Chuck asked me if I still really wanted to play. I said I did, and he told me he’d leave it up to me. But he asked me – what about 50 years from now? What will I do then – will I be able to function then and spend time with my grandchildren and live an active life? I was 25 years old – I didn’t care then about 25 years later then. But now I know what he meant.
Would I do it again though? People ask me that. I tell them “Heck yeah!”
What do you think about the NFL today?
I think they are doing a great job – the new CBA does a lot better job of supporting guys who played in the past. It’s a great league – the highest watched spectator sport in the world. The reason why – they have hard-working professionals looking out for it.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
