Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, let me know why you chose to get involved with coaching in the AAF?

Well, until Randy Mueller called me, I knew nothing about it really. I was in Green Bay for five years before this. Something happened to one of the coaches here – he had a health issue – and Randy called and asked me if I’d be interested in coming to Salt Lake and finish the season off here.

I’ve been impressed with the league – the players and organizations. It’s an exciting league and I think they are going to have some success.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Special Teams Coach Ron Zook, 1996-1998”

First, tell me about life as a scout – what got your started as a scout and what do you enjoy about it?

When I was playing I would always go into the scouting room and talk to Bill Nunn and the other guys there that were so integral to the guys we drafted. I was always interested in understanding how all of these talented guys got there and would ask them questions about how we found all of these amazing athletes.

They tried to deter me about the job – said it was too much travel. But after I played for as long as I could I called a number of teams asking for a chance to internship with them, and Phil Kreidler in Pittsburgh gave me a chance to pursue that interest.  After it was over he called and asked me if I was still serious about being a scout. Now, ten years later, here I am!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Mark Bruener, Steelers Tight End 1985-2003/Steelers Scout”

First, what’s the offseason plan – what are you looking to work on for next season?

The little things really. Focusing on my body – core stability and getting stronger i my upper body – and improving my speed. I know what to expect now snd just want to be in top shape and feeling good for the OTAs.

What did the coaches tell you in your exit interview?

They told me a lot of positive things mostly and what to work on. A lot of positive versus negative. I had a good season I thought, but I can improve. Coach Tomlin told me he liked my vision as a runner and my ability to get out of the backfield and make people miss.

They liked what I could do in college and i think I surprised them on how much I showed that in my first year. Tonlin was happy with my vision as a running back and wants me to excel as a true running back.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Jaylen Samuels”

First, can you let us know what you’e been doing since retirement? 

Well, a big part of what I’m doing now is speaking to schools about drug addiction and abuse. It started when I started going to AA meetings and met a woman who later became my wife. She was speaking and talked about her daughter who she lost when she wandered away during a party and drowned.

She was doing various speaking engagements on the effects of alcohol on families. We started dating soon afterwards and I watched the effect she had on people when she was speaking.

And that’s how you got started? 

I waited a couple of years first – I wanted to be able to go into schools and say for sure that I was clean and sober. Other asked me if I would speak but I wasn’t a public speaker. I hated speaking and hate the attention. But a friend had a program called New Beginnings and I spoke for them a couple of times then started doing it with my wife and the Drive to Save Lives Tour. Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Chris Sullivan, 2000-2001”

First, what are the next steps for you as you enter into your eleventh potential season?

Well I’m definitely keeping my eyes open and hope for the opportunity to come back this way to Miami. I’ve been enjoying time with my family. I don’t worry about much of the things that are out of my control. I’m hopeful that Miami will bring me back and am still preparing my body to play.

Any thoughts about what your next steps are, even if Miami brings you back. What’s next after playing in the NFL?

After my playing career I’d like to stay in football and coach. At what level I don’t know. I’ve spoken to my wife and agent about it and we’re still discussing it now. But I would definitely like to stick around football.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Ziggy Hood, 2009-2013”

First, let me know how you got involved with the Steelers and Duquesne?

Well I grew up in Pittsburgh and a sports fan, so when  I got the call for a PR internship with the Steelers it was Mike Tomlin’s first season. It wouldn’t have mattered who was coaching but it was cool to work for his first draft. It was a good one too – everyone played in a game except Stephenson. Timmons, Woodley, Spaeth and Gay…and Sepulveda would have been great if he could have stayed healthy.

How did you get in a position to get the call?

The way it worked out for me – Duquesne was close to the Rooneys. So many went to school there -Art and Dan played football. I played too and went to Duquesne grad school  for a fifth year on a scholarship – I could go for five because I was injured one year, I was in the media and journalism program then. I was a T.A. for my professor there. Right after grad school my professor called me and told me that the Steelers were looking for someone to help them – someone looking to get a start in their career. I had a part-time marketing job in Elizabeth and started boxing at my dad’s gym in South Park at the time.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Robert Healy III, Duquesne Sports Journalism Professor and Former Media Assistant for the Steelers, 2007”

First, can you talk a bit about how your dad decided to make football his career?

Val: I have some stories but dad was pretty private about his playing days. My brother didn’t even know he played football until high school!

He took the numbers off of his game jerseys and the Steelers patches off of his football jackets he had. He was a humble guy.

I know they called him a sleeper. They didn’t expect him to be as good as he was. He was gifted naturally. He had a good friend in college and they mirrored each other – Chuck Mihalik. They played for the Fleet City Blue Jackets during the war and played at Duquesne together.

Tim: They used to call my dad and Chuck the Gold Dust Twins!

Zeb: He only played high school in his senior year. He worked in the coal mines after high school until one day his principal asked him what he thought about going to Duquesne on a football scholarship.  My dad was a one-hit wonder in high school – he won the Mid-Mon Valley award in 1939 as a senior.

Continue reading “Interview with sons of Steelers WR Val Jansante, 1946-1951”