First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since you stopped playing?
My last team was the Steelers – my last game was the playoff game versus the Ravens. When we lost and the season was over, I knew it was time to move on.
My NFL journey was an up and down one. I had a lot of injuries, so because of that I think I was always thinking about what was next after the NFL. I had my degree in finance from Virginia Tech and my wife’s family was from Pittsburgh. I’m not sure if you knew it but my father-in-law was Tunch Ilkin. We stayed here in Pittsburgh – we thought about going to different places but I got an opportunity to work at PNC Bank and did that for six years.
Since then I took a job with a company that produces banking software – I’m excited about that. I also have three kids – five, three, and one. So it’s crazy – chaos. But I love it. And I have two girls so having grown up in a family of all boys, I can say having a girl is great.
How difficult was the post-NFL adjustment for you?
Even with having a plan to transition from football, it’s still difficult to varying degrees. The days are different – interactions are just different. You can’t replicate the locker room and being on the field. It’s also tough figuring out what areas of interest you want to explore next outside of football. I will say the skills and lessons you learn in all sports help prepare you for lifer after football. It’s not apples to apples, but things like dealing with injuries and coming back – that teaches you resiliency that helps me now.
Also, it can be difficult too because for a lot of folks their identities are wrapped in the sport. It’s difficult when that’s over – no one is immune to that. It just comes in different ways is all.
Stepping back, how did you end up in Pittsburgh as a free agent signing?
You never know what happens in a team’s decision-making. After Indianapolis released me I had a host of visits with other teams. But I was unsigned until the Steelers brought me in in the offseason.
I was excited about it. My familiarity with the team through my father-in-law and with Coach Tomlin made it even more exciting. My father was the strength and conditioning coach for VMI when Coach Tomlin was there – I was kid running around then. So to be around his leadership was exciting.
Did anyone take you under their wing when you got there?
I went in with my eyes wide open. There were so many fantastic players there. I worked out with Heath Miller and Ike Taylor and they didn’t care if I was a practice squad guy or not. They were there to teach and mentor. The team was so well run – that was due to the coaching.
I was so thankful for that time there. My time like I said was so up and down due to injuries. You can lose confidence and, frankly, become the not best version of yourself. When I was in Pittsburgh I gained confidence through the coaching and leadership.
What helped you most there – what lessons?
No two wide receivers were the same – they valued that from a position standpoint. It was fun to work in that kind of system.
Watching Cam Heyward’s work ethic and seeing C.J. Goodwin’s progress – sharing reps with him. It’s amazing to see what he’s doing now.
But the thing that I think helped most was Tomlin talking about not living in your fears. There was so much truth in it for me. In football and life. That approach helped me – it was certainly a key takeaway for me in life.
How exactly did that help – what did that mean to you exactly?
For me it was about overcoming the fear of getting hurt again. Those what-if scenarios. He was good at teaching us to focus on today – you can’t worry about the noise around you and the what-ifs. It’s the context of the things they do in camp – focusing on the things you can control.
What memories stand out most to you of your time there?
For me, getting to do some of the punch work with my father-in-law. He did it for the offensive linemen but I did it with him as well. To get to train with him – when he put on his gloves so we could get at it. That kind of thing.
What did Tunch teach you about the NFL and about life in general?
He was an amazing person. He helped show me how to be a husband and father. What was most refreshing about him was that his identity wasn’t wrapped up in football or accolades. His identity was in his family and faith. He left that legacy to his family – certainly to me. He was a leader of men. It was unique to be able to share that football experience with him – but even more so to talk with him about faith and family.
How did you meet your wife?
We met at Virginia Tech. We had a Freshman class together and started dating and Kathy and I got engaged after college.
It’s funny. After college and heading into the draft – the pro days and that stuff – I asked my wife if I could get some time to talk with her father about agents. Now, I had an agent already, but we were visiting them for a few days and I was hoping to get a few minutes alone with Tunch somehow.
Well, when we got there we weren’t there for 10 minutes and Tunch said “let’s go downstairs where we can talk one-on-one.” When we got downstairs I told him I didn’t want to talk to him about agents – I wanted to marry his daughter.
I was glad we could share that with Kathy’s mother too – she passed away shortly after that. When my wife saw Tunch and I hugging, she knew something was up then!
You were a very versatile player in college – receiver and even punted. How did that help you as a player in the NFL?
I punted in college but not in the NFL yeah. For me, it was helpful for me to know how every position did its thing – it gave me the chance to see the game from every point of view. As a defensive player, receiver, specialist… I think it may have helped on draft day to show my versatility, but mostly it just helped me get a better understanding of the game.
Any of the matchups on the practice squad stand out to you?
I enjoyed going against that defense every day. They had high expectations on that side of the ball. I just enjoyed that. After tearing my ACL and breaking my foot, I just enjoyed being out there – to be playing again.
What happened though – another injury correct?
I broke my finger on a one-on-one drill – it was a clean break on the facemask of another player when I was running a slant. I needed screws and surgery – it was a six-to-eight week process. I was released and had surgery and rehabbed, and afterwards still tried to get back in the league. I got a call back for one week with the Steelers later in the season but that was it. Every player gets injuries throughout their career – mine just all came right on top of each other.
Do you watch the NFL today? Like the changes?
I do watch – though I watch it differently now. I like watching the guys I had spent time with when I played. I like the focus on player safety – that continues to evolve. It’s just fun to tune in and see guys I have a history with still playing.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
