First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your sports days?
After the Steelers released me, I had a unique opportunity to run track. I was an All-American in high school and ran track at Georgia. I ran track professionally after the Steelers. I barely missed the Olympic trials in the hurdles – by six-tenths of a second.
My wife was in medical school in Austin at the time I was training there in Austin. After a while I decided to get my Masters in Theological Studies while she was in school. I also became an assistant track coach for the women’s track team at Texas. My sister was on that team – she actually made the Olympic trials!
I retired soon after and became a recruiter for the oil and gas industry – I did that for a year. Then I worked for a contractor in my home state of Georgia. When my wife finished her residency we moved to Virginia Beach to be closer to her family and I’ve worked at Columbia Gas since as their Operations Manager. I now manage their largest area – over 11,000 square miles.
How did your sports background help you in your new careers?
It was beneficial to some degree – from learning how to work well on a team and as a team leader. It helped with that transition.
My Master ‘sDegree – I didn’t know what to do with that really. How it fit in. I just knew I wanted to learn more about God’s word – it was beneficial that way for me.
How did your track experience influence your football play?
Naturally, from the speed aspect it helped. I was ranked second in the country coming out of high school. My times then would have qualified me for the Olympic trials but I decided to go to college and play football. I started as a Sophomore but tore my ACL. Track helped me then with my recovery – getting my flexibility back and my speed back. I didn’t start after that though – I played a lot. But that gave me the opportunity to end up playing for the Steelers.
I spoke with folks that worked with Mike Wallace – another speed guy in that draft class. They spoke of working with him to actually help him to learn how to slow down as a receiver. Did you have that same learning curve?
Mike Wallace’s game speed was incredible. I mean, I’m fast, but he was literally the fastest football player I ever saw. My expertise was straight-ahead speed. I’m 6’3″ – tall and lanky. Slowing down was something I had to work on – stopping and starting and going side-to-side was something I had to work on all the time and track helped with that too. I was a long strider and it’s just natural to have to work harder to deal with that.
How did you end up ini Pittsburgh after the draft?
I didn’t know who had interest in me during the draft process. After the draft I knew there used to be options like NFL Europe and the CFL, but the NFL transitioned away from NFL Europe by then. I thought about the CFL as an option, but after the last round the Steelers called so I took their offer. I didn’t actually even watch the draft – I went to church and they called afterwards.
Did anyone take you under their wing when you got to Pittsburgh?
My locker was besides Hines Ward’s. He was a fellow University of Georgia player and he helped me. He showed me what to do and what not to do. One specific thing he taught me was, as a long strider, how to be better with my get out. To get low and stay low throughout. That helped me.
Arnold Harrison was another Georgia guy there too. They called him the “Mouth Speaker”. He liked to talk a lot! But he cared for me – was there for me too.
Any memories stand out most to you of your time there?
I only knew the outside looking in – the fans perspective. But that feeling when you’re actually there in the locker room was special. My locker was between Ward’s and Ryan Clark’s. Just being there for their stories and jokes…they were down to earth. It was like being at a barber shop. Nothing was outrageous – I just enjoyed that experience most of all.
Watching the highlights in the film room with the players of Hines Ward’s blocking – that was something. He wasn’t a big guy, but his work ethic was second-to-none. He’d hit everyone – it didn’t matter who they were. That was amazing to see in person.
I also loved Mike Tomlin’s motivational tactics. He had new quotes every day
Do you watch the NFL today – any thoughts on the way the game has changed?
I love the way the game is as a former wide receiver. And it’s special seeing guys I played for and with become coaches – seeing how they adapt to the game. I love watching that and seeing where the game is going.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
