First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since you retired form the NFL?
Since I retired I started a couple of businesses. I’ve been working in the community and focusing on mentoring. Just different ways to advance the community. I’m working on a couple of initiatives and information on those is forthcoming. I’ll let the public know soon – these will be endeavors that will help people all-around.
Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult for you?
It wasn’t that hard for me. Just getting used to things – throttling down the every day rigor of professional football. Thankfully I had a strong family unit that helped me stay grounded. So it wasn’t a major adjustment. The financial difference was big obviously. Not getting that weekly NFL paycheck. But other than that it was ok.
Stepping back – how did you land in Pittsburgh after time in Atlanta?
Actually, coming out of college, my agent had info from Pittsburgh. I was on their radar, you can put it like that. When I got in the league, I was cut by Atlanta and sat out a year. Pittsburgh brought me in for a workout and sent me to NFL Europe. And that worked out well for me.
What was that NFL Europe experience like for you, playing in Amsterdam? How did it prepare you for the NFL?
Everything moved so fast – it was just like the NFL really, It kept my competitive genes and juices flowing. All the players there either played at a high level in college or played in the NFL too.
It was a great experience to see another part of the world. It was another band of brother for me.
Was the grind more difficult though, playing in NFL Europe then jumping right back to play in the NFL?
I wasn’t that hard because at that point I was just playing football. After the World Bowl I had about three weeks then went right into camp. I was in that mode still – I just kept going. It’s nothing you can’t handle – you just stay in that mindset to compete.
You really don’t comprehend the intangibles and time management. You don’t get a good feel for that until you’ve been there and done that. So I just kept going. That was more of my mindset than anything.
After college it’s like, oh boy, then you’re playing pro ball. In college I stayed there all year – spring and summer I was always doing football. You have a short window of opportunity so I was locked in. It just lasts so long so you batten down the hatches and do it.
I also had turf toe in NFL Europe after the third game or so. I played through it the rest of the way and rehabbed in Alabama after the World Bowl. I tried to get as healthy as possible.
You were named the team MVP in Amsterdam as an offensive lineman. What did that mean to you?
You know what, being an offensive lineman, you typically don’t get those honors. To get voted in as the team MVP was cool. I was a big team player and was just doing my part. I didn’t even know it until the season was over. The way the voting process worked with players voting, it was a great honor for me. I was just happen to get the W!
Once you got back to Pittsburgh, did anyone help mentor you -and how?
They guy that sticks out the most is Barrett Brooks. He was a journeyman – he had a lot of time in the league. You could lean towards him for help. Marvel Smith too. Just throwing little hints at you and being helpful. Alan Faneca, Hartings did too. Just being in the room with those guys – seasoned vets. And Chukky Okobi was from Connecticut like I was and we played against each other. So that helped too.
As a practice squad player, what were you responsibilities and how did you approach them?
The difference between a practice squad and active squad player is this -as a practice squad player you practice every day and try to give looks for the starters. For me, I took it personal. I gave my best effort – you never know if you will be called up due to injury. It’s a two-fold thing. You prep for injuries and stay ready to help the team while helping the guys across from you get better.
You were there when the coaching change occurred from Cowher to Tomlin. How did that affect you?
Unfortunately, when Tomlin came in I was cut. I was injured – I tore my ACL. So I never got the chance to experience Mike Tomlin.
The injury – how frustrating was that for a guy on the rise on the team?
You know what? At that point I was 27 years old – I was at that point in my career where I won the Super Bowl and the World Bowl. I had a good education.
In fact you are only one of five NFL players to have ever won the World Bowl and Super Bowl in the same season!
Exactly!
It all goes so fast. There’s not time for coulda woulda shoulda. Football is football. I tore my ACL and I didn’t come back as expected. Surgery is different for everyone and I couldn’t come back in time – when I was needed. So they cut me. Life goes on. I was grateful for my experience and to be part of the Steelers organization and to be a World Bowl and Super Bowl champion. Football is just a window of life. It prepares you for the rest of life. What happens is what is supposed to happen.
Any memories stand out most to you of your time in Pittsburgh?
There are so many good experiences. Just being around the guys is what I reveled in.
I do remember a rookie dinner that was very eventful! The bill was $20,000 plus. It was an eventful night – we’ll leave it at that. Steaks, lamb chops, Dom Perignon and Louis XIII flying around….it was a great time. We’ll just leave it at that!
Any good ones of your practice times?
I practiced against Deebo every day. He and Joey Porter – they loved talking trash. Even in practice. Jerome and Deshea and Farrior too. They loved talking junk. It was fun times. Those are the memories that stand out the most. And I will say, those trash-talking moments really helped create a bond that helped us get to the Super Bowl.
Lastly, any thoughts on the way the game has changed today?
The game has changed a lot. Clearly with the concussion matters, from the top-level down, they’re trying to protect guys. It’s completely changed the style of play. Particularly in Pittsburgh. The year after we went to the Super Bowl in 2010, they out a target on our style of play. That shifted the whole NFL. People had to decide whether they wanted to pay for playing that aggressive style of football. Games like the Rams-Chiefs games where each team had over 50 points. It’s like a basketball game. It definitely had an affect on the way guys play the game. Whether you can play aggressively or not. You can’t be down-the-middle on it. It’s either one or the other.
Also, how the players and locker room are behaving has changed. With social media, it’s very different. What used to take five or six months to make the news, now people find out stuff instantly. It affects how guys carry themselves now.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
