First, can you let readers know about your academy and how you got started?

It was something I was inspired to do. I attended camps at an early age and it was very beneficial. But it is very expensive for kids to attend these camps so my goal was to create an affordable camp for kids. We’ve added different events – this year we’re helping mentor the kids – to allow them to express themselves. Sometimes kids have things they don’t want to tell their parents or schools – things like bullying. We give them advice on how to handle things like that.

The academy is also skills and drills for football players. We do a combine style – things kids need to know as they come out of high school and into college. If I had known some of those types of skills earlier that we teach I would have been much better – the  position-specific drills…

We also just also added a parent café to give young parents the opportunity to attend parents workshops. We teach them everything from how to change diapers to handling the stress of being a new parent.

How did you  know how to get started?

When I played with the Steelers, Tyrone Carter held a similar camp in Florida and asked me to come down and be a guest coach. That inspired the idea for me. At the time I was still fighting for a job on the team so I didn’t have the time to start the camp then. But when I was set in my career and didn’t have to fight for a roster spot, I was able to explore the opportunity.

How hard is the post-NFL adjustment for you so far?

Well, I’m still playing in the CFL. But things are different in Canada – you have much less time constraints here. In the NFL, it’s a full-time job – you come in at 7:30 and you don’t leave before 5:00. In Canada, you work from 8:00-1:00. You have a lot more time to explore other opportunities and network. You have much more free time – it’s different because of the lifestyle.

As a coach, what coaching and playing lessons most influence how you coach?

The thing I learned most about coaching is that we all go through adversity. Perseverance and a positive attitude go a long way. Coaches will constantly harp on you and tell you what you need to do better. To get positive reinforcement is like getting a monkey off of your back.

Your work ethic is the most important thing. If you’re not willing to put in the work you’re not willing to get better. As a coach I want to coach players to their ability and to help them exceed that ability. That little extra could be the difference between being good and being great. I focus on the details – the fundamentals. I want to see the development so they go from a raw athlete to an athlete with great technique.

You were signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2006.  Why Pittsburgh?

Coming out of college I spoke to a bunch of teams before the draft but none of them drafted me and gave me an opportunity. During the draft I got a call from the Steelers’ Defensive Backs coach Horton – he told me that in round six they’d either take a wide receiver or me. They ended up taking Dallas Baker instead, but he called me back and told me to be patient. He said that if I wasn’t drafted they would sign me as a free agent and I would be the only defensive back they’d be bringing in so I’d be able to make the team. I wouldn’t really have to compete.

After the draft my agent called me and told me the Jets had the best deal. I was confused because I never spoke with the Jets at all before the draft. I went to New York and they released me three times in six weeks. It was a headache. So I ended up signing with the Steelers. They signed Anthony Madison since then but signed me to the practice squad and added Madison to the active roster. Madison ended up playing for years with the Steelers and won a Super Bowl with them. I felt like I was destined to be that guy but it didn’t turn out that way. I fired my agent when Madison and I were both released.  I knew Madison got like twelve workouts in two weeks and I wasn’t getting any. My agent said no one was working anyone out at the time, but I knew that wasn’t true. I got a new agent and he got me into Canada and I’m still there now.

As a rookie, what Steelers helped mentor you?

A number of guys helped me. Ike Taylor and Ryan Clark helped show me how things are done – in and out of football. Ike and I had a long conversation once about the friends you have when you are playing. Ike said that now when you get paid all of this money, people are starting to want things from me. He told me I had to be willing to say no. That I shouldn’t let others steal my money, because I won’t get it back. I needed that conversation – it was all affecting me. My family kept asking for money. and after that conversation I made them send me bills for everything first before I’d agree to pay anything.

How competitive were the defensive backs with one another?

In the NFL it’s always competitive. In practices and in the games – even outside of the facility. You never know who’s watching – you’ve got to make the most of every opportunity. It’s often not about who is working the hardest though – it’s about politics. Who’s getting paid more. The guy that gets paid most is the guy that gets the most opportunities. They want to get the most out of the money they invested in that guy. They have to play that guy – general managers don’t want to look dumb.

How much did humor help in how you approached the game?

It eases the stress. You’re constantly looking over your shoulder for the guy that’s going to replace you. The personnel people tell you that every day they are looking to replace you. You have to have some humor – and it makes the guys feel like family. It eases the stress factor and makes you feel more comfortable being yourself on the field.

Any funny experiences you remember?

One thing I remember. In the first game of the season we played Baltimore. We were playing Cover Two – I was pressing the receiver. Troy Polamalu was supposed to be the safety covering my side but I looked over and he was in the box. I was waving to him – I didn’t know if he knew what the play was – I was yelling at him asking what he was doing. Well, they threw the ball, and I looked and saw Troy had deflected the ball 20 yards downfield! When we got to the sidelines I told him he had me clueless. He just told me  not to worry about him!

How hard was it for you when you were released the next season and what did they tell you?

It was difficult. I felt like I was the better defensive back. I had a good preseason – I made plays and got praise. When I spoke to the general manager in his office he was very blunt – he said they drafted Ricardo Coclough a few years ago in the second round and it was down to me and him, and they needed to see if he would evolve going into his fourth season. They had money invested in him and that was the end of it.

What are your thoughts on the team now, looking back?

Pittsburgh is a first-class organization – they are upfront about everything. They don’t sugarcoat things. They are a professionally run organization – they are honest and flat-out told me about why I didn’t make the team. They are first class guys and they get guys that play hard, most stay out of trouble, and put it all on the line. I admire that about the players and the staff.

Any advice you’d give players entering the game today?

The more you can do…. If you’re on special teams, a return guy, defensive back….the more you can do… Do more than just your role. You have to be willing to do more and do the dirty work. You will beat out the guys who won’t. I wish I would have done more on special teams if I could go back and do it all over again. I would have done a lot more…

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