First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you retired from the NFL?

I’m a caseworker at a children’s home here in Waco, Texas. I work with at-risk kids.

What made you decide to get involved in that?

I was just always interested in it. Growing up, a lot of folks helped me as a kid. After I retired from the NFL, I decided to work in the youth home and help other kids. I wanted to help them in some way.

Has your time in the NFL helped you in terms of influence?

Well, a lot of the kids here aren’t really into sports. Not a lot of them know I play until teachers tell them. Then they Google me and find out more about me and ask me questions. It helps make it a good relationship with them.

You were drafted by the Steelers in the 11th round in 1980. Were you surprised to be drafted by Pittsburgh and were you at all concerned, knowing how deep they were at running back?

When I first started the draft process, the Cowboys and the Seahawks were the only two teams that showed interest in me. The Cowboys said they’d take me in the fifth round if they didn’t draft anyone by round three, but they took James Jones in the third. I had no idea the Steelers were in the picture. But, I’m glad they were!

I wasn’t worried about how deep they were at running back. I was always a confident player.  I saw the people they had there – who was secure, then compared myself to the backups to see who I could pass up.

Any of those guys helpful to you – both on and off the field?

Gregg Hawthorne and Russell Davis were both there a year before me. They told me what to do and offered some good advice. And Rocky (Bleier) – I got a lot of help from him. He was real nice and gracious about telling me what I should do. How to judge defensive players and understanding the playbook.

What was your biggest adjustment to the NFL form college?

It wasn’t that big of an adjustment really. They ran the trap offense in the 80’s and that was a lot like what they ran at Baylor. Quick hitters… The terminology was different but the plays were close to the same – reading the guards’ blocks… It was the perfect situation for my running style. In a different offense I would not have been the guy.

How did humor play a part on those teams – any instances you can remember?

When I first started – my first couple of days – I almost got into a fight with Dennis Winston but I walked away. You weren’t supposed to fight your teammates. Well, Lambert pulled me aside. He told me that “This wasn’t the Cowboys. That the next time he saw me not fight back, he was going to kick my butt!”

That was  a big help to me. Lambert was always one of my favorite players. He always had your back no matter what. I grew up watching him beat my Cowboys. I was in awe the first time I stepped on to campus and saw him and the rest of those guys. It made me we want to give my best every day. It really helped me.

The team was on the downswing in the 80’s. How did the players and Coach Noll handle that?

When I got there, they had just gotten off the last Super Bowl.  There were some guys getting older, thinking of retiring. But they were still great players with a lot left in them. We had some bad breaks in that ’80 season. Afterwards, guys were widdling out and retiring. Even the best teams today, there isn’t a collection of guys that good and well coached. No cockiness or arrogance. They just came to work every day. I really respected those guys for that.

Who were some of the players you respected most on other teams then, and who were your biggest rivals?

Hugh Green from Tampa was a great player. I liked Ernest Byner as well.

Cleveland were our biggest rivals then. It started with their linebacker corps, just like we did.  Even though we were rivals, we respected them. We never took it to the fans’ level.

What about Houston?

Oh yeah – Houston were the guys we really hated. Glanville…they were hated. From the head coach to the players, we just didn’t like them. We had respect for Earl (Campbell), but none for the rest of those guys.

What do you think of the way the game is played today?

The game is soft now. They practice in shorts and shoulder pads. The rules on hitting the quarterbacks are soft, Flags for some hits  – I just don’t understand the differences sometimes. And flags and fines won’t change the way the guys play. The league is too sensitive. I understand they want to make it safer, but they have taken the excitement away from the game.

Do you still watch – still a Steelers fan?

Oh, I never will be a Dallas fan now – I’m a Steeler. My sons actually played with Kelvin Beachum (Steelers tackle) in high school. They are now in law enforcement, but they were good guards. Just a bit small.  I’m proud of them.

What makes the Steelers different?

I remember after my second season, I just finished packing up my car and was leaving my apartment when I got a phone call from The Chief. He told me about how good he thought my second season was and said that he wanted me to go see his son before I left. Well, I thought he was going to release me. What else could it have been?

Well, I went to Mr. Rooney – and he said he appreciated my effort and that it was a good year for me. That’s the difference with the Steelers – a big difference, to show that kind of appreciation.

Any last thoughts for readers?

The Steelers are a great organization. From The Chief to today. A first class organization that cares about it’s players. I didn’t have a chance to go by and see everybody when I retired. Abercrombie and Hawthorne are actually here with me in Waco. I am planning to go up to training camp next season to watch the.

Bringing the kids?

I would. But they’ll be on duty!

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