First, how is your health – and what are you doing with yourself since you retied from the NFL?

I’m feeling good, thanks for asking. My neck still bothers me from time to time but that’s just something I’m going to have to deal with.

How has that adjustment been for you so far?

I’ve used this time to just relax and figure out my next move. I just purchased a house in New Jersey. I coached junior high football this past season, from my childhood youth league. That was a pretty fun experience.

The adjustment has been fairly easy mainly because I get to spend a lot more time with my family.

You signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Why Pittsburgh – especially when they had such a deep backfield?

When I signed with the Steelers in 2009, they actually were the only team interested in signing me. I had a connection with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. He coached my uncle Todd Mcnair at temple University.

What Steeler veterans helped mentor you as a young player – both on and off the field – and how did they do so? Any examples?

Mewelde Moore probably helped me the most being that we shared the same type of roll. He took time out to work on blitz pickups with me.

What was your biggest adjustment to the NFL – especially coming from a smaller school like Bowie State?

The biggest adjustment for me was probably the speed of the game. The defensive lineman were unbelievably fast.

How competitive was the backfield then with one another – was it frustrating trying to get playing time?

It was very frustrating at first because I was so disappointed by not making the team and being put on the practice squad. However, the next year when I made the team it was a different feeling. I understood my role, so there was no frustration about playing time.

How much did humor play a part on those Steelers teams – can you offer some examples of the hijinks or funny occurrences?

Our locker room was always full of jokes. My locker was next to Larry Foote’s. He was probably the funniest guy on the team. Guys in the locker room would play around the world with a ball of tape, shooting it into a trash can. One day Snoop Dogg came in the locker room and played along with us as well.

The team just came off a Super Bowl win when you signed on with them. Could you see signs of a “Super Bowl hangover”? How did Coach Tomlin push the team and try to keep the team hungry?

I didn’t see any signs of a super bowl hangover. We were one game away from making the playoffs. It was definitely a disappointing year.

You retired in 2013 due to injury. How hard of a decision was that for you?

It was hard to deal with at first, I didn’t expect the doctor to tell me I couldn’t play anymore. I’m good with it now, I’m ready to start my next chapter in my life.

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