First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL career – what you’ve been doing and how you got started in this new line of work?
I currently work for start-up technology company (Domo, Inc.) based in Utah. I also started my own business (where I work full time as well) after my career ended. My company Empee Solutions manufactures innovative, high-quality products that help simplify life. One of our products the “Lifter Hamper” was featured on SharkTank last year, and really helped us hit the market.
I recently reached a licensing agreement with one of the biggest housewares companies to manufacture and distribute the Lifter Hamper and all future products. It has been quite an adjustment going from football my whole life, to the real world working a 9-5 and sitting in a office.
What about your experiences in the NFL have helped you so far, and how so?
I think football teaches you many great things. The discipline, dedication and work ethic that it takes to play in the NFL is something that is so priceless. These traits are a great foundation for success in life after football.
You served on a mission for two years, interrupting your college career, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How did faith impact the way you approached the game of football and how did you see it impact that Steelers when you got there?
I was definitely older! On a serious note, the experiences I had as a missionary not only prepared me for football but for life. This is where I really had to learn how to be a man, and learned all the traits I mentioned earlier to be successful. I really had to mature, learn responsibility and that prepared me for all things that come with being in the NFL.
You were drafted by the Steelers in the 6th round in 2006. Were you surprised to be drafted by Pittsburgh and how nervous were you when you realized guys like Faneca, Hartings, Kenoeatu, Simmons and Colon were already on the squad?
It was a pretty loaded interior line already…. That wasn’t something I was concerned with. For one I was grateful to be drafted, and secondly I thought of it as an opportunity to learn from these guys. Willie Colon and I were in the same draft class so we were both just trying to make the team. Willie and I were roommates so we talked about it all the time. So when we both made the 53 man roster that year we were both pretty excited.
What was your biggest adjustment to playing in the NFL, and how helpful were the veteran linemen in helping you make that adjustment?
There are a few. You’re in a new city, with people you’ve never met before which puts you out of your comfort zone. So it really helps when the veterans take you under their wings. This was the one thing I noticed that was different about Pittsburgh than any other place. The vets in Pittsburgh really take care of their guys. Joey Porter had a condo that I lived in my rookie year. Chris Hoke would invite me to his home and feed me. Troy Polamalu, Chris Kemoeatu, and Shaun Nua all took care of me too. Maybe because of the Polynesian connection.
Who did help mentor you most and helped you adjust to the team and city – both on and off the field – and how did they do so? Any examples?
The good thing about playing in Pittsburgh is that I felt I was apart of a “family.” So I hung out with everyone all the time. Troy Polamalu, Chris Kemoeatu, Shaun Nua, and all my O-Line brothers helped me and gave me rides when I didn’t have a car.
Who were some of the toughest guys you lined up against both in practice and on game days? What made them so?
Aaron Smith and Bret Keisel were guys I battled with constantly. They went hard everyday like it was a game so you had to bring your “A” game every day.
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