First of all, what have you been up to since playing for the Steelers?
I have seven kids and grandchildren – so that fills my time these days! I had knee replacement in 2021 – so I’ve struggled with that as a lot of us who played sports do.
In college I struggled with my knees – I left college on a high note and didn’t want to say anything was wrong with my knee. I performed poorly in the combine because of that. I should have taken care of it, but that mentality then of saying “I’m alright. I’m ok – I can play.” took over. I should have done that differently – it hurt my stock in the draft. I should have told someone.
Did your agent help you through that at all?
I look at how things go now – we had no idea what was going on then – we were going through it blind. There is so much more information players have now. My agent helped but we were all just in the moment then. It’s frustrating thinking about what information players have today versus what we had, but I’m happy for the kids now.
How did you find out you were drafted?
I got a call from the team while I was at my mom’s – I forget who called. It was early in the morning on the second day of the draft. I was happy but I felt let down too. I thought I could go in the top three rounds – but falling to the seventh round – at least I got an opportunity.
It was a good place to go. I followed Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and those guys in my youth. So it was an exciting moment for me.
Did any of those guys take you under their wing at all?
Earnest Jackson was a fountain of information. One morning five or six days into camp I got up early – I was sore all over. I ran into Earnest who asked “What’s wrong youngster?” I told him how sore I was and he said “Come with me.” He had a trainer fix an ice bath for me. Man, I felt so much better after that I wanted to give him a hug! I was hurting in places I never hurt before in my life!
Anyone else help you?
Louis Lipps – he and I went to high school in the same area in Louisiana. He knew I was coming in and helped me learn the offense. I had him to rely on when I was confused by something,
Bubby Brister – I saw him recently. When I first got there – in the locker room there was a bunch of noise. It was loud, but I heard someone yelling “Zeno! Zeno!” I kept hearing it – then Bubby appeared out of nowhere and hugged me. He was the quarterback when I was a Freshman at Tulane – he left that year but he remembered me. I didn’t know who it was yelling my name – I thought it was someone hazing me – getting ready to tell me to carry their pads or get donuts or something!
What was your big adjustment to the NFL as a receiver?
I know a lot of people say speed but that wasn’t really a hindrance for me. I was just trying to see where I fit in. Everyone has your level of talent or better. It’s what you bring that appeals to the coaching staff – what can I do that separates me from others and makes me stand out?
I played every game in preseason and did ok. But when they made the final cuts they decided to keep six running backs and only four receivers. I thought that I could be that consistent third down receiver for them – that guy you could rely on to get that first down. Not to go 80 yards for a touchdown but who you knew would get open and make the catch. I look at a guy like Marquis Colston and how he played – I think I would have been like that.
Any fun moments that stand out?
I remember when a few of us went to the mall. We had a day off after a couple of weeks. Camp was long. I just remember one of the guys saying “Oh wow. We’ve been in camp so long the mannequins are starting to look good to me!” We just all laughed at that.
Our first preseason game was against the Giants and they had me on kickoffs. There was a big lineman steamrolling down the field and I thought I could either take him high or cut him low. I cut him low and he was pissed! I told him I slipped! I was on TV – no way I was going to let him run over me!
Do you watch a lot of football today?
I think a lot of people believe that guys who played like to watch football after they are done. But I spend a lot of time with my family. My sons, remarkably, want to spend a lot of time with me still! I talk to them just about every day. My buddies tell me their sons don’t do that! I don’t profess to be a great parent but I gave them the space they needed and am there for them to offer advice.
My younger brother – he was a Steelers fanatic even before I was drafted.
He must have been as happy as you when the Steelers drafted you!
He was! For Christmas I sent him a Steelers hoodie and sweatpants. He was talking big cash shit when I was drafted! I told him to relax!
Now, I look at games at times but I don’t root for a team specifically. I just watch the sport – that’s how I go.
Do you think back on your the records you broke back then in college and your impact on the game?
I had a great career in college – I broke the record, yeah, for most receiving yards. I don’t think anyone before me had 3,000 yard seasons two years in a row. So I’m waiting to hear from the College Hall of Fame. I was on the ballot in 2018 – 40 years later I still think my numbers look pretty good. I’m waiting on that day. It would be nice to be able to share that with my kids and grandkids. That would be the icing on the cake for me.