First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days and how you got started in this career? 

I am in the automotive business with Group1 publically traded fortune 500 company.  I started in the business over 20 years ago and that transpired to me and my partner owning Saturn dealerships in Texas for 12 years.

What about your  time in the NFL helped you in your post football career, and how hard was it for you to adjust to the post professional football life?

Any business is competitive and obviously so is the NFL.  I found out that the daily repetition – ie practice – will win out at the end of the day in business life as well.  I tell my team we are going to better prepared and outwork the competition every day.

You were drafted by the Steelers in 1977 – to a team with two Hall of Fame receivers. Were you surprised to be drafted by the Steelers and was it at all frustrating trying to find playing time behind the likes of Swann and Stallworth? 

Of course it was frustrating at first however it was a blessing to be on those great Steeler teams.  I lived a dream that I can’t explain.

You were a versatile player in college – receiver, running back, return man….how did that versatility help you once you entered the NFL and what was your biggest adjustment to the NFL?

There is an old saying in the NFL “the more you can do” (helps your chances of making the team and staying in the NFL) so that obviously helped me.  I think the biggest adjustment was practicing against Hall of Fame players everyday but that only made me better.

After the first year it was just normal for me.

Who helped mentor you as a rookie – both on and off the field – and how did they do so? Any examples? 

The late great LC Greenwood and Joe Green.  They just talked to me about how you are supposed to handle yourself on and off the field.

You won two Super Bowls with the Steelers early on in your career. Looking back, do you thing as such a young professional that you were able to fully appreciate how rare that was?

No way looking back could I possibly appreciate the rare opportunity and experience I enjoyed.  But I do now and what great memories.

What are your fondest memories of those days now? 

Training camp in Latrobe sounds funny, but I really enjoyed working hard every day there just making the team against some of the best that ever played the game.

Humor played such a big part on those Steelers teams – what were some of the funniest moments you remember during those days – whether it was on the field, in the locker room….

Sidney Thornton, Terry Bradshaw, Calvin Sweeney enough said.  Your readers do not enough time for the stories and I’m sworn to secrecy.

After six years in the NFL, you signed on with Birmingham of the USFL. How hard was it for you to leave the Steelers – and what made you decide to sign on with the USFL and how did the league differ from the NFL? 

It was very difficult but I had some familiarity with Rollie Dotch being the head coach.  It was a fun league of course not quite the overall caliber of the NFL, don’t forget we had some great player in the USFL  Reggie White,  Jim Kelly, Steve Young,  Anthony Carter.  And some great coaches.

You were a dominant receiver in the USFL. Did you find it a relief/vindicating at all to finally be able to show your skills as a starting receiver and find such success?

No vindication. I really enjoyed having the opportunity.

What do you think about how the NFL has changed – and what would you like to see changed, if anything – and why?

The game in just geared to more scoring which is what the fans want.  Which I think is a good thing.

Any last thoughts for readers? 

I love the people of Pittsburgh, they were always kind and welcoming to me.  Best Fans in the world! Go Steelers!

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