First, can you let me know what you’e been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?
Well, when I was done playing I coached for a couple of schools here in Michigan. When I was done in Pittsburgh we settled back in Michigan since we enjoyed it so much here when I played here.
An opportunity opened up for me in the financial industry doing wholesale mortgage lending. I couldn’t coach anymore with my work schedule so I started coaching my son’s youth team.
Any coaches or coaching lessons influence you most?
When I look back, I was fortunate to have a great coach when I played high school football in Chagrin Falls. He took over a struggling program there and created an atmosphere where kids wanted to be a part of things. In today’s climate of concussions and where parents are wary about kids playing football, you need to keep kids engaged while learning. You want them to have fun.
As I aged and went to Penn State, Joe and his staff, the culture of toughness and doing things the right way was evident. There were no shortcuts. And coincidentally, Tomlin always had an expression I use with people today. He would always say “Fair, but not equal.” It’s not one size fits all. It will always be fair, but Heath Miller can have a day off from practice. Sean McHugh – you can’t!
In high school, certain kids can get away with things and others can’t. They’re not all the same. Too many coaches make the mistake of my way or the highway. It’s not one size fits all. I tell people that all the time.
How hard was it to adjust to post-NFL life for you?
I struggled for sure. My career was not as long as some guys’, but still, football was my identity. We play for so long – it was my identity since I was about 14. It’s how they know you – Sean, the NFL Guy. Redefining myself was a challenge. I tried different things. My wife and I opened a gym but we didn’t like that. Tried a few financial things – trial and error. Where I’m at now, the CEO gets it. He was a former Michigan State basketball player, so he gets the adjustment.
You were released by a Lions team that ended up 0-16 and ended up on a team that won a Super Bowl. Any thoughts on how things turned around like that?
I was in training camp with the Lions – my third season. I was released and wasn’t pleased with how they handled it. I had a high ankle sprain and they released me at the very end of camp after everyone else was released and most guys were taken off the waiver wire. I think they were hoping to pick me up after week one, but I wasn’t happy with the way they did that.
I played well versus Cincinnati in Detroit. So it was only a few hours into the next day when Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh who must have scouted Cincinnati and saw me play, both expressed interest. I chose Pittsburgh and it was a simple decision. Cincinnati offered me money upfront, but I wanted to win.
What made you so attractive to Pittsburgh?
In Detroit Mike Martz was the offensive coordinator and the way he used me as a fullback and tight end – I was interchangeable. That was a big reason why I could play and make the team. I could line up in the I-formation or on the line of scrimmage. That benefitted me – helped me to play for six years. That versatility to go from blocking in the I-formation to running routes – not that that’s why they wanted me there – but that versatility was why I could stay in the NFL.
When you got to Pittsburgh, who helped you adjust to the city and the Pittsburgh way of doing things?
This is what I loved about Pittsburgh. I don’t know whether it was the Rooneys, Tomlin, or both, but your could tell they cared about you as a person.
After my first week in Pittsburgh my wife arrived with my son and we were eating dinner in Cranberry when James Harrison was eating there as well and stopped by our table and introduced himself to my wife and told us that if we needed anything to let him know.
I also used to help with a charity foundation, and I remember Hines Ward introduced himself to my wife and welcomed us to Pittsburgh. There was so much support, from the staff to the players. It made the transition easy.
Any thoughts on going from an 0-16 team to a Super Bowl team? Vindication?
I was there for three years in Detroit and had some good relationships there. Going 0-16 wasn’t a reflection on how hard they worked. It wasn’t a lack of effort. I just think it was the perfect storm in Detroit.
But yeah, I do feel a bit of “I told you so.” I have friends there, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say it wasn’t satisfying especially after the way I left. I think they could and should have handled things differently .Especially since I was there for three years. I deserved to be released sooner so I could have signed elsewhere sooner.
Any good memories of your time in Pittsburgh you can share?
I’ll always remember, I just got to Pittsburgh. It was my second week there and my wife was pregnant but having complications. I went up to ask Coach Tomlin if I could take a day off from practice to take my wife to the doctor, and before I could get it out of my mouth he said go. Then J.D. (tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes) called the next day to ask how she was. I was only there a few days and that’s how they treated me. So not a funny story, but one I will always remember.
Also, in training camp, a few of us would go go-karting to have some fun during camp. I remember Ward on his cell phone racing on his go kart. It was good during camp to be able to have time off from the grind of camp.
Any thoughts for young players – especially coming from your experience as a lower round pick who fought his way onto rosters?
My biggest thing that benefitted me – from high school to Penn State to the NFL – was doing the little things, and doing them consistently. Especially for young guys – it’s an uphill battle especially if undrafted or drafted late. I was cut nine times. You have to believe in yourself and do the little things. Prepare, take care of your body…
The second thing is, you have to surround yourself with people who support you with or without football. It’s important to have that outside of football. I had a wife so it was easier for me to deal with disappointment. To get to the gym even though I never knew where or when my next opportunity might be.
Any last thoughts for readers?
The city, people…it was a unique thing. It was different there in Pittsburgh. It was great to be a part of that.
Pittsburgh was in Detroit a while ago and I was able to call a couple of contacts and get sideline passes for the game for me and my 11 year old son for warmups. I was just there for a few years and they took care of me. It’s something my son will never forget – Jerry Olsavsky having my son throw footballs to the linebackers. He still has it as his screensaver. Its just shows the way the Steelers take care of their players. It was a great experience.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
