First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

I work for a pharmaceutical company – Merck – as their operations manager. I’ve really been managing people since I stopped playing ball. I supervised group homes for kids and spent years in security first, since I had a criminal justice degree. I’ve been at Merck now for 19 years.

Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult?

After I was released in my second year in Pittsburgh I started working in the criminal justice system, so I was able to transition in the offseason. I worked with court-adjudicated delinquents. That made the transition easy for me before I started getting into other things.

You were drafted by Pittsburgh – did you know they had interest in you prior to the draft?

A lot of teams including Pittsburgh showed interest in me yeah. But my Senior year I had tendonitis in both knees and was mostly a blocking tight end in college. I didn’t do a lot of pass catching. I think that’s the reason why the Steelers drafted me. They were more into the blocking tight ends.

My rookie season I took nine hours of school at Pitt to finish my degree at Temple. I worked with both schools to finish my degree since they were mainly electives.

My second season I was released halfway through the season and got picked up by the Colts, but then they released me due to an injury.

What prompted the release from Pittsburgh?

There was a quarterback issue in Pittsburgh – an injury and they had to release me. I wish I was able to have gone to the developmental squad but back then if you played at all the first year I don’t think you were eligible. They moved me to offensive tackle to try me out there and I never played offensive line since Pee Wee Football. If I was given time to develop I think I would have had a better chance of getting more time there.

But I think this all happens for a reason. Some players have had physical issues – but I don’t have the stuff other guys are battling. Maybe God had a bigger plan for me. I’ve helped a lot of lives working with kids.

Anyone there help you most on and off the field when you got there as a rookie?

All of the guys did, but Dwight Stone and Rodney Carter did most of all. I spent a lot of time with both guys and both were very instrumental in helping me out my rookie year – Carter actually ended up working at Merck the same time I did so we stayed close.

How did they help you?

Well they helped show me where to live, stuff like that. I didn’t want to live too far away from work every day, and I wanted to be close to Pitt so I could finish my degree there. So they helped a lot with things like housing, living close to the city, and even providing some home-cooked meals.

Any on-field memories stand out to you today?

My rookie year I caught a preseason touchdown versus the Redskins in Washington – that’s where I was born and raised, so that meant a lot to me. Also I remember catching a key first down pass versus the Cowboys in our first game. I think it was the catch to seal the game, if I remember. It was a crucial catch. I also remember celebrating touchdowns with Lipps and Carter.

I do wish I played longer. But I got a chance to play in NFL Europe and in Detroit in ’92. I was blessed to play with Barry Sanders. I got a scholarship in college and then a job in the NFL. Not many have had that opportunity. And lots of players lived above their means, but I’m happy that I didn’t make that mistake.

What was the NFL Europe experience like for you? How did you get started there?

Well the NFL Europe held tryouts in Florida in ’92 and players were then drafted by the teams. Jack Bicknell was coaching there and had coached in Boston College so knew many of the Big East players. He drafted me, Palmer and other guys from the Big East. It was a great experience. The first year I played tight end and made it to the World Bowl, but lost. The second season they had me playing offensive guard and tackle.

That first year was a struggle for the league. They had communication issues in Europe and didn’t know how to handle some things. I remember they washed our uniforms and put them in the dryer, and all of the numbers melted! They had to get emergency uniforms for us.

And they weren’t used to cooking for so many big guys. They put out food for us and it was all gone in 30 minutes. They ran out of food!

But it wasn’t a bad gig right?

Not at all. We stayed on the beaches in hotels. Since we traveled for weeks at a time we’d just stay at hotels instead of going back. It was only a 10 week season. We’d go to Montreal, London…it all went quick. But it was nice to be in Europe instead of the bad weather at that time in Pennsylvania and DC.

Any fun memories that stand out most to you today?

I remember the workouts, running up those Pittsburgh hills and stadium stairs, and just being with my teammates.

I do remember one incident with Chuck Noll. I was in the weight room and he jumped on the treadmill. Well, it must have been programmed for one of the players, because as soon as he got on he went flying off the treadmill. I was worried – he wasn’t a young guy. I’m not sure if anyone else saw or remembers it now, but he got up and just said “You’ve got to be tough!” and laughed it off.

Any thoughts as you look back on your experience in Pittsburgh?

I had a great experience – it was a great organization and they treated me well. I only played two years of high school football – I was real raw when I got to Pittsburgh. I wish there was a developmental league for players then – it would have given me a better chance. I only played three years so I didn’t get vested, unfortunately.

I have three kids now, two on their way to getting Masters degrees. My family is doing well. We’re not struggling financially. It was a blessing to play in the league. How many can say they played in the NFL?

Ever go back to visit the team?

I went back a few years ago for one of the reunions and walked the Hall of Fame. They give free physicals to players. I saw Mean Joe, Franco, Robin Cole, Dawson – a lot of guys came back. But I don’t come back as often as a lot of those guys do. I would like to. My kids played a lot of sports and they’re older now, so I have more free time. So maybe I will.

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