First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
Right now I’m a dialysis patient. After football I went into the car business – then that was about it. I got married and had two kids. I lost one son – he was shot and killed. My other son lives near me in Kansas City.
How did you handle that – and the post-NFL adjustment – how did you manage all of that?
It was a struggle for a while. And you have all that fame and glory then it’s just gone away. I just tried to stay busy though and pick up other things to do. I even went into coaching my boys in basketball.
Stepping back, how did you land in Pittsburgh after your college days?
I went to N.C. State – on draft day Pittsburgh and Cleveland both called me. Cleveland said they were going to draft me but the draft went by and I wasn’t drafted. Pittsburgh called again and I decided to go there. They told me they’d fly me in and talk to me first to make sure I wanted to be there.
The funny thing is, we played Pitt that season in college. Two days after that game I got a postcard asking me if I wanted to play for the Steelers.
They moved you from linebacker to defensive back in Pittsburgh correct? Were you happy with the move?
I played linebacker yes – I ran a 4.4 and weighed 230 pounds, so Noll told me he wanted to move me to strong safety. And yeah I was happy with it. I didn’t have to deal with those big ‘ol guys anymore!
Did anyone help take you under their wing when you got there?
Eric Williams helped me – he was an N.C. State guy too so he took me under his wing and showed me some tips – helped me with this and that.
I roomed with Greg Lloyd – that was something else. And me and Anthony Henton got real tight. I roomed with him at the combine in New Orleans that year.
How did you learn the safety position?
I knew I was fast – I just wanted to lay some leather into people, if you know what I mean. I lowered my neck and hit people. For me it wasn’t too difficult. I learned it real quick.
Has to be some good stories rooming with Greg right?
Greg was a different kind of guy but fun to be around. One night we all went out and had a good time. I had too much to drink and he and Anthony Henton both took care of me and made sure the coaches didn’t see me when I got back.
How did they smuggle you in?
I don’t even remember how they got me in!
Any of the other guys stand out in terms of how they were on the field?
Mike Merriweather was so quick. He was lightning fast – he has those quick hands and moved so fast. I used to admire how he got off and on to blocks. He was amazing.
What happened in that first season to have you land on IR?
In camp I was backpedaling and back then they had those drains on the field. Well, I planted my foot and it got caught in the drain.
I remember laying down on the table and Chuck Noll came up to me and told me that he had big plans for me. I’ll never forget that. After that I kept working out and tried to stay focused on football.
They brought me back the next season and camp was going really well but then I broke my hand. I got it caught between two helmets in practice and ended up on IR again. After my hand healed I worked out but it was too late by then and they let me go.
I went to Oakland after that for a tryout but I just wasn’t in good shape by then.
What do you think of the game today – still watch it?
I watch it all the time yeah. I watch football with my soon-to-be-wife. She’s a big Kansas City fan and I’m a big Steelers fan, so we are a house divided! We got at it on Sundays.
I still watch the Steelers and think they’ll be a good team now that they get the quarterback position straightened out. They have a very good defense and some good players.
Like the way the game itself has changed?
The thing is it’s all about the money now. There’s stupid money in the game today. I remember striking to make sure we had free agency in ’87. Now there are so many dollar bills on the game. It’s unreal. There’s so much more money compared to when I played. And we helped pave the way!
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