First, can you tell us about your post-NFL work and the transition from the NFL to “civilian life”?
The transition wasn’t really that hard. After I was released Dan Rooney offered me a job to be a scout for the team. I thought about it but my kids were so young then – I knew I’d be living out of a suitcase. So I told him I appreciated the offer but my kids were too young – that I wanted to be there for them and coach them like my dad did me.
Why do you think he asked you to scout?
You know, quite frankly, I don’t know. He never gave me a reason. I was thankful though. It would have been a way for me to stay in the game once I was released. But the Falcons called me soon after I was released and asked me to come back and play out that season – I had played for them before coming to Pittsburgh.
What did you do once you retired from the NFL?
Growing up, I knew I wanted to play football, and when I was done, to own a sporting goods store. I started a screen printing business in the offseason – I thought it would be a good way to get into the sporting goods business later on. But then the large stores like Dicks opened up, and unless you were a specialty sporting goods store for things like swimming or track, you couldn’t make it as a sporting goods store. The mom and pop stores disappeared.
But I had knowledge of the screen printing business. So when I retired I looked for jobs in the screen printing business and got a job selling equipment and supplies. It was an easy transition for me. After four years two of the men there started their own business and I went and worked for them for 25 years. When they sold that business to a competitor, I found a job with a different company – I didn’t want to work for the company they sold it to.
So I’ve been calling on the same customers for years. I’ve built a lot of friendships doing so. It’s worked very well for me. Now at Wensco I am working for a company that’s been in business for over 80 years – three generations of family owners. It’s been a great place to work.
Did the Steelers give you any reason for the release?
They didn’t give me a reason. I was signed on to replace Jon Kolb on the roster when he got hurt. You do what you can and try to stay on for as long as you can as a player. But wherever the cards fall, that’s where you go. In Atlanta I was having my best season before they released me. We were having contract issues though – I think that’s why they may have released me.
How did you end up signing on with the Steelers after Atlanta?
After I was released I was at home with my wife and in-laws – having a traditional Italian spaghetti dinner. We were watching the Steelers and I told my wife it would be cool if I could play for the Steelers. She told me to “quit dreaming!”.
Well, wouldn’t you know it, Pittsburgh called that Friday and told me they wanted me in Pittsburgh tomorrow so they could fit me for a uniform so I could play on Sunday! It was incredible – I couldn’t believe it.
I was a strong special teams player as well as a safety. I think Mike Wagner was retiring after the season and they knew that and were looking to see if I could be a long-term answer there. I guess I wasn’t the guy.
Did anyone welcome you to the team? Even though you weren’t a rookie – did anyone show you the ropes a bit when you got there?
My first day I was sitting at my stool in the locker room – and Terry Bradshaw was the first guy to introduce himself to me and tell me they were glad to have me there. I thought that was very cool – he was one of the best – if not the best – quarterbacks in the league.
The craziest thing – later on I was at my stool again sitting down, getting ready for practice. My locker was about six lockers away from the locker room entrance. I saw a man walk up to me and it was Art Rooney – he knelt down in front of me and welcomed me to the Steelers and told me it was great to have another Irishman on the team! I loved the guy after that! I can tell you that never happened in Atlanta!
I enjoyed Art and Dan. I appreciated what they did for me and my family.
Any other good memories of your time there?
I think one memory that stands out was actually the year before in Atlanta when we played Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. I was starting at safety and they ran a sweep my way. The running back fumbled the ball and it skidded around. This was near the end of the game – maybe a few plays left. I dove on the ball and ended up dislocating my elbow. I couldn’t play for a couple of games after that and I think it cost me a starting job in Atlanta. My opportunity came and went!
Do you watch the NFL today – any thoughts on the way the game has changed?
I think it’s a really different game today. My first contract was with Dallas for $18,000. It’s totally different now. There is so much money – I think many guys today play to try not to get hurt. When I played they played for fun – it wasn’t about money. I don’t think it’s like that for a lot of players now.
It’s hard to get to the NFL and hard to stay there. There’s always someone else trying to take your spot. You have to work hard in the offseason – there are 100 guys who will take your spot in an instant. It was hard to stay in the NFL a long time – especially how they played then. I remember when Turkey Jones slammed Bradshaw – we thought he broke his neck. The hardest part was on Mondays when you came in so sore after the game.
Any other memories you want to share?
I enjoyed playing – and remember packing it in and getting a normal job afterwards, I have fond memories and appreciate how playing helped me throughout my life.
It was a great time in my life. I loved the weather playing in Atlanta and playing in the South. I’m not sure I could have played five years all in Pittsburgh – it got really cold!
I remember Rocky’s last game too – versus San Diego before he retired. I was able to grab him and get my picture taken with him on the sidelines. I loved Rocky – he was such a character – he and that chicken-walk he did.
Swann – he would dance around the locker room.
And I remember once after a game Bradshaw went to the shower and yelled “Team meeting!” I had no idea what he was doing. I think he wanted to get guys away from the reporters and have a beer!
It was a great time for me – I got to play for great players who loved the game.
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