First, can you let us know what’s net in the process – camp starts tomorrow?
It’s going great. I just checked into the hotel room and went to the facility to get fitted for my helmet and equipment.
It’s been really awesome. I’ve been to one camp – to Cleveland. I am on the waiting list there – they’ll call if they need to bring me in but I grew up a Steelers fan so this is even better.
What do you think you’re going to need to work on and prove to Pittsburgh?
I’d have to say my speed and hips. I just need to show I can lay faster, things of that nature, I just need to get better every day.
When do you find out if you make the team?
I think right after camp ends on Sunday – that’s when I know if I’ll stick around. I’m on the short list still in Cleveland too so I’ll just need to wait and see.
What do you think you bring to the table – what are some of your strengths?
I think my leadership. And I like to hit. I’m good at stopping the run – that’s huge,
I just think I can add to the Steeler culture. I talked about it with my agent and he told me to just come out here and show them what I got and compete.
Anyone you got to talk to yet on the team?
I met Coach Tomlin and Coach Porter. And Mr. Rooney and Mr. Colbert. I didn’t really say much…and I met Wendell Dunn there too.
Tell us a bit about Courtney Love the person. Off the field I know you are big on community service – what drives that?
I’m someone who cares about the game and being a good person off the field. I try to learn every day – and giving back the community is huge for me do to how I grew up.
I won the Wuerffel Trophy – that was for the college football player that best exemplifies humanitarianism and excellence in eduction, community service, and on the field play. The kid I mentor – I try to help him with direction so that he has it better than what he would have had, I help children with single mothers/single parent households. His dad was in prison but didn’t come back for him when he got out.
And you can relate to that?
I was in the same position as these kids when I was a kid. My coaches and my great grandmother and grandmother helped me when my dad was i prison and my mom left. When my dad got out of prison he took care of me and taught me how to be respectful an accountable for my actions in life.
What’s next for you after this – if you happen not to make the squad?
Hopefully I make the team and play for as long as I can. If not I’ll be thankful for the opportunity and I’ll try to become a coach at the college level and work with kids to help them pursue their dreams.
And if you make the practice squad?
That wold make me feel good. Confident. I just have to continue to be ready to go and do whatever it takes to succeed.
In the meantime I’m happy to meet everyone and network. And create relationships with the guys here. It’s good to make these connections. Its about getting film out there and building my network.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
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