First, let’s talk about your time in the CFL so far – how is that going – what do you enjoy most about playing in the CFL?

It’s given me a chance to continue to play football. And in the CFL it’s less about the business side, not like the NFL. It’s not business-oriented. In the NFL it’s stressful – real cutthroat to make a roster especially as you get up in age. Not many order guys stay on the practice squad…. I am enjoying football here.

How did you end up in the CFL? I remember Chris Rainey talking about the need to be in great shape due to the size of the field.

My agent called me after the calls stopped for me in the NFL. My agent asked me about whether I’d like to play in the CFL. At first I was iffy….but when I got there, I saw there are a lot of guys here who can play. It’s not much different than NFL – maybe on the offensive and defensive lines skill-wise. But when I got here it worked out well – I’m on one of the best teams in the league.

The biggest difference is the field yeah. The field is much bigger. That and it’s two and out versus three downs.

Stepping back some – let’s talk about the Steelers and being drafted by them. Was that a surprise to you – how did they let you know?

Yeah, it was a surprise. I really didn’t meet up with Pittsburgh a lot before that. I met them at the combine and that was it. I didn’t get any other calls after except a call right before the draft confirming my phone number.

On draft day I didn’t do much – I just stayed at home with my mom. I saw the 412 area code when they called and wondered who it was. Mike Tomlin was on the line and asked me if I was ready to be a Steeler. Then I talked to the GM. I was the only defensive back they drafted that year. They all told me I was going to be instrumental to the defense but that I had to succeed on special teams.

I spoke with Ray Horton too. We didn’t talk much about my role until OTAs. They brought in Bryant McFadden from Arizona. It was a veteran group so I knew my role early on was on special teams.

Who helped you most as a rookie – both on and off the field in Pittsburgh?

There were great vets there. Ike, McFadden, Troy, Ryan Clark…they all took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. There was nothing crazy like hazing….they looked after me.

What did they help you with most?

They taught me to be available. To not be a one-trick pony – to learn everything so that I’m not expendable. And to take care of my body. That was the biggest difference between college and the NFL for me. If you’re hurt you can’t make the team.

Ray Horton also helped me as a coach a lot. He was the one that wanted to draft me. He told me all that I had to do was let the game and plays come to me. That comforted me. That trust. They don’t put players in there they don’t trust. He told me what I had to to do – the ABCs to make the team. That played a big role in how I did that first year.

Was being hurt why it was hard to make the team the second season after a good first season?

It was hard to stay healthy yeah. I had hamstring and quad injuries that lingered. That was the biggest difference at this stage – staying healthy. Early on I was not as good as I should have been at taking care of my body. Doing the hot and cold tubs…

That played a big part in why Tomlin released me. He told me then that I needed to take better care of my body. That that was the thing holding me back. It was a humbling experience. For him to tell me that…I never had to deal with injuries before. I played the most snaps during my time at Clemson. But in the end your body is your job and I needed t take care of myself better.

Tell me some fun stories of your time in Pittsburgh?

The funniest story I remember was a hazing situation. I was in my room – at night, close to curfew. Ike came and and asked me to get his towel out of his car. In Latrobe you have to go upstairs to get to the cars. Well I got it – it was more like a rag – and he said thank you. Then he blew his nose in it and said thanks. I was like, really? You just had me get a rag so you could blow your nose in it?

Oh and being around Deebo. It was fun to play with and around with Deebo and looking like I was scared of him. Ok. Well, I was scared of him. I’m sure it was funny for the other guys watching me around him and laughing at me being so scared of that guy!

Who do you remember being the toughest guy to line up against?

I’d have to say Antonio Brown for sure. They guy came in in the sixth round. His work ethic was over the roof. I think he works out when everyone else is asleep. I wonder if he ever sleeps at night. His speed and route running were amazing. I remember seeing him go against Ike on the scout team. I knew then he’d be special.

You played for a number of teams over your career. How much stress did that cause and do you think fans understand the effect that has on players?

It definitely makes you stronger. Fans don’t always understand how injuries and the numbers issue affect players. With me, in the 2012 season, I bounced around. In 2011 I broke my ankle and was on IR. In 2012 I rushed coming back and bounced around. In 2013 I was steady. My career picked back up.

You really learn that being cut isn’t the end of the world. There are 31 other teams. You can’t give up. Now, seven years later, I’m vested. I’m living pretty good!

Now I’m blessed. I get to do what I love to do. I’m not dreading going to work and punching a clock. I’ll do this as long as my body says I can until I can’t do it anymore!

As a veteran now, what advice would you give younger players today?

The biggest thing is what I was focusing on before. To take care of your body. Be a professional. If you’re not on the field you can’t make the club. You can’t make the club from the tub. And there’s no film to evaluate you.

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