First, can you tell me more about Alkeme Health – what it is and how you were motivated to launch this company?

Alkeme Health is a digital health platform whose guiding principle is to provide care to Brown and Black people with on-demand mental health and well-being content and courses offering psychotherapy help, meditation and more.

What prompted your specific interest in this?

Black and Brown people have been underserved by the the healthcare industry – especially in regards to mental health – for a long time. The healthcare industry didn’t address issues like intergenerational trauma, systemic racism, anxiety, and micro-aggressions. And no one really did anything about it. So we’re seeking to fill that gap by helping those in need. I experienced this as a player in the NFL. I really didn’t receive the proper care I needed for these issues. I wanted to provide help to others by filling that need.

How did you – and do you now – handle the post-NFL adjustment yourself?

I really had difficulty at first finding a provider who could help me with my well-being. It’s often difficult finding what you need. Now, I stay present, eat right, do yoga and meditate, and I see a therapist as well.

Getting back to the business – what about being an athlete do you feel has helped you now as a business owner?

I think athletes are entrepreneurial by nature. The same elements of committing yourself to the profession and success are the same ones required to build a business. There are a lot of parallels. You’re looking to create a team environment just like in sports. You can’t do it by yourself – nor should you even if you could. So I think, especially for athletes who played on team sports, there is a lot of carryover.

How did you get the background you needed to be able to build the business – did the NFL’s programs help there?

I took advantage of the educational opportunities provided me while I played and after my NFL playing career. I took executive courses at Wharton and Notre Dame while I was playing and completed my MBA at the University of Florida right after I had retired.

The executive classes were offered through the NFL’s programs.

Can the NFL do more to help NFL players get acclimated to post-NFL life and work, do you think?

I think there are opportunities there. I got my executive education through an NFL program. The NFLPA also has The Trust, and it provides financial as well as wellness and other education for players too. So there are services out there for players. It just depends on who you are and what your interests are. We all have different tracks. It depends on each player to figure out what they want to do and why and what opportunities they should pursue, relative to their individual situations.

Looking at your NFL career, were you surprised to get drafted by the Steelers?

It wasn’t a big surprise looking back on it. It was a dream come true, getting drafted by your hometown team.

At West Virginia’s pro day, Coach Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, Dick LeBeau and Ray Horton all came out. I didn’t think much about it at the time. I didn’t put two and two together to think they were coming to see me. I just figured it was one-hour away so they made an easy local trip. I only found out later that they had come specifically to see me.

How did you find that out?

I was brought in for a visit by the Steelers and they had me take the Wonderlic Test. I didn’t attend the combine so didn’t take the test before, so I took it there. I got all of the answers right – a 29 out of 29. The scout walked in and said “Are you some kind of genius?” I didn’t know what he was talking about but then he told me I got every answer correct.

After that Ray Horton came in to talk wth me – he’s the one that told me about them all going to the pro day to see me.

When you got to Pittsburgh, who helped mentor you – to show you the ropes as a Steelers player?

Charlie Batch, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu – almost the whole damn team. It was a very unique dynamic in that locker room. There were a bunch of savvy veterans – high quality, first class guys there. They had high standards for the team on and off the field. They showed me how to live that lifestyle. It wasn’t one thing really. It was how to balance it all to be a professional and live up to those standards.

What do you think helped you to ultimately secure a spot on the team?

The first year after I was drafted I only played eight snaps in the first preseason game – then I was injured and missed the rest of the season and had to take an injury settlement.

The next season I was placed on the practice squad. After that first season I knew I had to prove myself. I think I just balled my ass off, to be honest.

My nickname was “Wonderlic”. I knew I had to be ready – I came in and learned not just all of the defensive responsibilities, but I made sure I understood what the offenses were trying to do as well. I learned a lot of that from Ryan Clark. I was an intelligent player and I was a physical football player too. So if Clark was out, I could play free safety, and if Troy was out, I could play strong safety too. I think that versatility helped me out as well.

Lastly, any memories stand out most to you of your time in Pittsburgh?

I think the message is that my time there – that team – it really was a legendary team. The type of people and the culture there – it was world class. I don’t know if fans really understand the gravity of what we had then. I sat next to a Hall of Fame player every day in Troy and two Defensive Player of the Year guys in Troy and James Harrison. I had a Hall of Fame coach in Dick LeBeau and another one someday in Mike Tomlin.

It was such a dynamic organization and group of people. It shows up now outside of the lines. Look at that defensive backs room alone. Ryan Clark is on TV. BMac is on TV. Will Allen is a investor savant. Troy is doing a lot and just got into the Hall of Fame. William Gay is coaching. Ike has a ton of stuff going on.

It was such a dynamic group to be a part of.

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