First, can you let me know what you’re doing with yourself now?
I moved back to Northern California where I’m originally from. After the NFL I went back to business school and started a career in healthcare. I’m now working as the COO for HeartFlow – we use artificial intelligence to diagnose coronary artery disease.
I worked in a larger organization before I started here – this is more like a startup – a more interesting opportunity.
Was the post-NFL transition difficult?
It’s not easy. Not that I or any ex-player are expecting sympathy. I was all-in to get to the NFL – all in at becoming as good of a player as I could be and getting as far as I could playing football.
When you’re done it happens quickly – in my case due to injury. You have to adapt. I was 30 years old when I was done with football. You have to figure out then what your next passion is and what you can be good at and add real value at.
I was fortunate that I went straight from playing to business school. That was an intensive experience so I was able to go all-in on that and didn’t have time to think. I also met my now wife then too, so I had two new things to look forward too.
Looking back, how did you find yourself in Pittsburgh?
I did it the hard way. I was an undrafted free agent from Duke. At Duke I had a serious injury which hurt my draft stock. I was injured where I started my career, in Denver. I was out for the year then. Pittsburgh was just off of Super Bowl XXX – they brought me in for a workout and I stayed there. I started on the practice squad – four weeks in, Tampa Bay signed me off the practice squad to their active roster due to some injuries they had there. Technically my first active game was with them.
After that fourth week their injured guy got back and they gave me the choice to stay there or go back to Pittsburgh. I loved playing for Mike Mularkey and thought it was a better fit for me there. They offered the development I was looking for.
Who helped mentor you most there? And how?
Mike Mularkey. I had some great coaches that came along at the right times for me, but Mike taught me how to play tight end in the NFL. My first year in Pittsburgh with him was terrific.
Jonathan Hayes too – that was I think his last year I think. He was great in terms of showing you what it took to be a pro. Mark Bruener – he was a great example of how to be tough.
There were so many good role models to show you what good players need to look like.
I also wanted to mention Tunch Ilkin sadly. He worked with me in the offseason with his partner, Craig Wolfley. Tunch stayed late in practices to help.
How did they all help you?
Lots of technique that comes with playing tight end in a run-oriented offense. Coach Mularkey understood that. And the program Coach Cowher ran – the Rooneys too if you want to elevate that up – there was a lot of consistency in the program. Chan Gailey’s offense was consistent – you knew what we are about and what your role was. It all built on each other.
Any memories stand out most to you?
I doubt many fans will remember but I caught my first touchdown pass in a preseasons game in Tokyo versus the Chargers. I got in in the second-half. We got down to the goal line and they ran a play for me and I caught the touchdown. It was an awesome memory. I remember sitting in the parking lot waiting for the bus to take us to the hotel, on the other side of the world. I never knew if I’d make it or not in the NFL…now all my friends and family I knew were happy for me on the other side of the world.
Another good one was the playoff game versus Indianapolis. I caught a two-point conversion in the third quarter to put us up by seven. That was cool – I came off the field to high-fives from Greg Lloyd. I was an undrafted free agent with a history of injuries from Duke, and here I was out there with Hall of Fame and Pro Bowl players and felt like I belonged. That was very cool.
Any other fun memories?
Fred McAfee – he was the funniest man I ever met. He had the locker room laughing all the time.
After that season what happened?
I made it to the final cut. The year before I made the team and that was a surreal feeling. A surreal experience. One day you have 75 teammates and the next you wake up to 53. It’s really weird – like they never were there. And you just didn’t talk much about those guys once they were gone.
I was always optimistic but realistic. You can tell you’re on the bubble when your playing time goes down. I was pissed when I was cut but I also knew I gave it my all – even if that was my last time playing, I had no regrets.
What do you think of the way the tight end position has changed today?
I think it’s great. There’s more athleticism to it. It’s become better – it evolved. That makes me happy to see. They are some of the best athletes in the league now.
When I was there I bulked up to 285 pounds. I was way bigger than I should have been. I would have loved to have played now and been able to play leaner and not carry all that weight.
How is your health today?
I’m pushing 50. I have been good at keeping by weight down. I’m creaky but I’m not out there playing full court basketball. I take care of myself though.
I saw Kirk Botkin at my kids’ volleyball game – it was nice to see him. Pittsburgh – it was a great city to play in – great fans. I’m nothing but grateful for the experience.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
