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?

Well,  I have been trying to do better for my two daughters and family by getting into work that I enjoy – work that involves helping others.

How hard was it for you to adjust to the CFL and to non-NFL-related work? What heaped you make that adjustment?

Playing in the CFL was just a faster paced game but it’s still football. I just strive to be great at everything I do.

You were a pretty good quarterback in high school. Were you comfortable with the move to linebacker once you went to WVU? What brought about that change?

It wasn’t easy playing linebacker at first even when my high school coaches told me I would play linebacker in college because my body frame was built that way. But I didn’t find out that I was playing linebacker until first day of camp. Coach Casteel was a great teacher and helped me over the years to play the position, but at first it was difficult.

You signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. Why did you choose Pittsburgh – especially when they had a solid linebacker corps there?

I started my NFL career with the Carolina Panthers then spent a few years bouncing around and then Pittsburgh called one day. And who wouldn’t want to play for their home town team – being close to your family and friends? I knew it would be difficult but I just love to complete so it was a challenge but it was a great experience.

How much pressure was there for you as a “local”, having played at WVU?

I never really got recruited to play for Pitt but I had a lot of friends that did, so why not keep the rivalry from high school to college! So, it was fine.

What are your thoughts on WVU’s program now?

I love what the school program is going right now. A lot of the former players are always welcome and talked about from the coaches, even if they weren’t present while I was there.

What was your biggest adjustment to life in the NFL, and what did you learn from those guys that helped you make that adjustment?

The biggest adjustment was the speed, and that everyone is a great player so you have to go the extra mile to be better.

Who helped you most to adjust to life in the NFL -and as a Steeler – and how did they do so?

When I got to the NFL I would say Thomas Davis and Jon Beason. I learned a lot from those guys and a few others. But as a Steeler, that would be James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons – they were great role models and taught me how to play in a 3-4 defense.

What lessons did you take away from coaches like LeBeau, Butler and Tomlin? How did Butler and LeBeau differ in their approach to the game?

When LeBeau talked to young guys – and even older guys – he was calm so you wouldn’t be so down on your self. Coach Butler was the same way. Coach Tomlin was more like a player’s coach, but when it came to business and between the lines it was nothing but work to be 1-0 that week.

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?

Playing for the Steelers was about bonding with everyone –  family cookouts and hangouts. It was nothing but a band of brothers. Being with the guys I was with it was great times, laughing at a lot of stories and having fun. A lot of us had kids so the kids would hang out together. But funny moments I remember were guys talking about the movie The Wood…

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