First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing since you’ve retired from the NFL and how you got started in these new ventures?

I’m in the institutional securities business as a broker. My clients consist of community banks across the country. Been with the same firm over twenty years.

How hard was it for you to adjust to life post professional football, and how did your time in the NFL help you to do so?

The adjustment was difficult initially due to the uncertainty and with a wife and kids. I would guess that my football career possibly opened some doors, and a competitive drive, but not much in the way of a 8-5 work schedule. Wondered around a couple other career opportunities before I stuck with my current job.

You were drafted by the Steelers in 1980 – in the second round. Were you surprised to be drafted by the Steelers – especially with guys like Greene, Greenwood, Dunn, Banaszak and others already on the roster?

Nothing surprises me concerning the draft. Hoped to go higher, but getting the call that the defending Super Bowl Champs wanted me and drafted was a dream come true.

How did those other linemen help you as a rookie – what did they teach you that helped you to adjust to the NFL – both on and off the field?

It was a great place to step into and learn. The core group had multiple world championships, but were still just as hungry as I was for another. What surprised me the most was how regular and enjoyable they were to be around on and off the field. I didn’t detect big ego’s in any of them.

You were injured that rookie season – what happened and how much did that set you back?

My injury occurred the last preseason game against the Cowboys in Dallas. I am from the Dallas area and had numerous friends and family in attendance. Popped my ACL in the first series, and tried to come back from the injury before our game in Tampa a few weeks later and re-injured it. The fact that there were no known procedures to repair a torn ACL back then, it definitely affected my mobility the rest of my career.

Over the years on the roster, you saw folks like Greene, Greenwood, and other veteran leaders leave the team. How hard was that for the team – and how did you adjust to becoming a leader and mentoring the next generation of young Steelers?

Guys like L.C. and Joe were mentors in the way to prepare and approach and season, as well as, individual games/practices. They had done it so many times, but still gave it all they had come game time. In the scheme of things, your time in the NFL is so short, not giving it your all will lead to a short career.

How much did humor play a part on that Steelers team, and how so? Can you give a couple of examples of some funny things that occurred, on or off the field?

The thing most players will tell you they miss the most about their time with a team (when I played you had NO freedom of movement, so most players stayed with the team that drafted them and the bond was stronger) is the camaraderie in the locker room. Humor and pranks were a staple. With guys like Gary Dunn in the room, good times were guaranteed. I have children and grandchildren now, as far as off the field fun, let’s just say good times were had by all. My son- in- law plays for the Eagles and I don’t want to give him any idea’s.

Who were some of toughest guys you lined up against in practices and on game days – and what made them so?

Tunch Ilkin practiced hard every day, and Larry Brown was a wall I couldn’t go through or around. The best I played against would be Munoz, he had great technique and strong as a bull.

You played in Pittsburgh for six years before retiring. What drove that decision to retire – how hard was that for you?

My limitations with my knee, coupled with other chronic injuries helped the Steelers make that decision for me. Went to several other teams who wanted to sign me but I couldn’t pass the physical, so I retired. Giving up football wasn’t as hard as leaving my teammates. Still miss them.

What do you think of the way the game has changed, and what advice would you give to players today entering the sport?

As I stated earlier, my son-in-law is in the league (Lane Johnson) and I try to help him understand the effort needed to stay at the top of your game during the season, but just as important in the off season when no one is looking and monitoring you. He gets it and has transformed himself. The most obvious change in the game is the size and speed of today’s players, oh yea and let’s not forget the salaries/bonuses (of which much is guaranteed). BIG difference from when I played. I’m happy for my Daughter and her husband.

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