Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

I was pretty banged up when I was done playing. But I always knew I wanted to be a cop. In college we had police officers that helped handle the security and I got to know them. They told me that when I was done playing I should give them a holler. When I was done I reached out to them and they helped work with me to show me how to get on the Wichita police force. I started the academy in February of ’89 and retired as a Sergeant after 27 years.

After that I did some coaching but I got bored of that, so I started working as a policeman for the local school district and I really enjoyed that. I liked working with the kids there.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Jerry Quick, 1986-1988”

First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?

I stopped playing in 2017 and bounced around different jobs for a bit. I’m now a project manager for The Pulte Group doing new home builds. I was a carpenter for a while and wanted to do more and get out of the field and came across the opportunity at Pulte, and here I am now.

What made that adjustment to post-NFL easier or harder for you?

My work ethic. My wife was a college athlete as well and we’ve found that in both of our jobs, people who played sports seem to have strong work ethics. They hold themselves accountable and get the job done.

I feel like I’m still competitive – I carry that competitiveness in my work like I did on the football field.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Quarterback Chris Dieker, 2011”

First off – how did you end up getting signed by the Steelers?

It’s been an amazing experience – it’s great to get the opportunity to be a part of the Steelers organization! It started when I was invited to go to the rookie mini-camp for the Steelers and Seahawks – they called my agent and invited me.

I showed the Steelers I was coachable and learned the scheme quickly. I put my best foot forward and had great communication with the coaching staff. I made the most of my opportunities I think. Nothing huge – but I showed that I could contribute to the team.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig”

First off, can you let us know how you got started as a coach?

I just gave up coaching this year to become the Athletic Coordinator here in Houston for Stephen F. Austin High School.

When the Steelers released me in 1988, I had a couple of tryouts with Buffalo and Cleveland but those didn’t work out. I did a couple of Summer camps in Arkansas when Jack Crowe was the head coach and got to know him. After that I became a graduate assistant there for two years.

After that I got a job at Chatanooga under Buddy Nix – we played Clemson that year. Well, we did not win that game!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Theo Young, 1987-1988”

First off, after a successful UFL season, what’s next for you?

Well right now I’m headed back to California and continuing to train and rehab. I’m just waiting to get a call really – waiting to hear from an NFL team.

What went right for you in the UFL this season to cause you to have such a big season?

I felt like I would have a good year. It was my third year in the system and I felt great. I gained confidence over the years and improved my pass catching and route running. I started producing more because of that.

I also think I’m attacking the ball more now – getting it at it’s high point now. That’s led to me getting a lot more catches and yards after the catch. Teams were changing the way they were covering me after a while.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Tyler Vaughns, 2021-2022”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with your time since working for the Steelers?

Since I left the Steelers I spent 16 years as a financial planner then the last seven as a table games dealer at the Meadows in Washington, PA.

How and when did you get started working for the Steelers organization?

I was a trainer in high school for three years, then I worked for Don Lowe at Kent State, one of the best college trainers at the time in the US. That was in ’74 – Lambert’s last year there. Don James was the head coach and Lou Saban was the assistant there – so I got a lot of good contacts and worked with a lot of good players.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Assistant Trainer Gary Stragar, 1981-1985”