Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

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?

I’m currently an Executive Team Leader for a Target store in Alabama. I played pro football for four years on three different teams; the Steelers, Texans, and two seasons in the United Football League with the Las Vegas Locomotives. After my second season in the UFL, I had a decision to make; either continue playing another year in hopes to get back to the NFL with a slim chance considering being the 2nd or 3rd string tight end most of my professional career or start looking for employment to start building my professional resume’,  live in a city more than a few months at a time, and most importantly, leave the game in one piece.

I went to my Alma Mater’s campus at Mississippi State and was recruited by several companies. Having “Super Bowl Champion” and “UFL Champion” definitely stands out on a resume’!  I have been in retail for about three years now and I enjoy it!

Besides work, I like to do races such 5K races, mud runs, and triathlons. Having that competitive drive keeps me active and wanting to do and try new things.

Continue reading “Dezmond Sherrod, Steelers Tight End, 2008”

First, can you let us know a bit about what you’ve been doing since your nine years as a Steeler?

Well after my last year, in 1960 I coached in the AFL with Denver, for five years. I did some scouting for the pros and at the same time I was starting my own independent insurance agency. It took a while to get that jock strap syndrome out of my system – I wasn’t doing so well so I got serious about the insurance business and it became very successful. In ’89, I sold the business to my two sons.

Was it hard adjusting to the life after the NFL?

I don’t really understand the problems some people have with that. I never had a problem. I got married and started a family. If you dedicate yourself to your career like you do your sport….it’s hard work. But if you can’t adjust to that then you probably aren’t going to be a good ball player or in business.

When I started the insurance business others told me that I would never be successful. I was never one for never.

I also enjoy the nature here in Colorado – hunting, fishing, hiking…. I can’t navigate the mountains though like I used to.

Continue reading “Dale Dodrill, Steelers Defensive Tackle, 1951-1959”

First, can you let us know how you got involved in coaching with the Steelers and what you are doing now?

Well, I’m retired now.  After coaching with the Steelers for eight years I went with Bud Carson to coach the Browns for two years. Before that, I worked part-time with Sid Gilman in San Diego and McCarthy in Baltimore.

How did you get started in Pittsburgh?

My friend George Perles was at Michigan State – his assistant there was Henry Bowa. I was helping with the conditioning program there when Henry got a job with the Baltimore Colts. He talked to the coach there and I ended up going up there and spent a month on their conditioning program. They happened to win the Super Bowl that year. So I got calls from every team and every sport!  I went from week to week helping different teams. I worked in Pittsburgh part-time – the other teams I worked with on their Summer programs. In Pittsburgh I was so-called part-time, but it was really full-time. I never missed a practice or a game.

My job in Pittsburgh was to be the conditioning and special teams coach. I did most of the special teams – Chuck handled the quarterbacks – he didn’t have time to spend on special teams. So he put me in charge of probably 75% of the special teams. That way he could just put the blame on me!

Continue reading “Paul Uram, Steelers Conditioning and Special Teams Coach, 1973-1981”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you’ve retired from the NFL, and how you got started doing so?

I retired from the NFL in 2000, right after the 1999 season was complete. Nothing better than a 50/50 opportunity was presented to me, so after a ten year career, I figured that it was time to walk away. I didn’t want to go through another camp without a legitimate chance of making a roster.

The NFL taught me to be disciplined in my approach to basically everything in life and to give your best effort every time, because you never know when it will be your last. You have to cease the moment, the NFL stands for “NOT FOR LONG”, your time there can be short and you want to make the best of a rare opportunity. The adjustment from the NFL to normal life can be difficult for most, but I had an incredible support group (family) that was there all the time helping make the switch as smooth as possible. Still miss the game though.

Continue reading “Troy Sadowski, Steelers Tight End, 1997-1988”

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL coaching career – how you got started and what you enjoy most about it?

In my post-playing career. I spent five years with the Green Bay Packers as their Outside Linebackers coach. Having played for Coach Dom Capers for two teams, he knew my work ethic and recommended me to the Head Coach for an interview. I enjoyed working with the many fine players that were entrusted to me, and sharing secrets of the trade as well as many lessons in life that I have learned.

Continue reading “Kevin Greene, Steelers Linebacker, 1993-1995”

First, can you let us know what doing with self since your time in the NFL?

When I was in Pittsburgh as a rookie, I started working for a sports agent and began representing players. I represented Ariel Solomon and Justin Strelczyk. After representing some more players, I moved to California and transformed myself into an entrepreneur – I started a gold company that installed synthetic gold courses in people’s homes. I also started a magazine – Image Magazine –  that went out to over 65,000 homes per month.

My old college position coach at Michigan then was Les Miles and he and I kept in touch. He wanted me to come and coach for him. Well, in 2010 the business climate changed and I thought I should try it. I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and became the Assistant Director of Football Operations for LSU. I work with Coach Miles now facilitating between the fundraising, training, and administration and other departments.

Continue reading “Dean Dingman, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1991”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

Well, I was diagnosed with MS three years ago and have no vision. It’s no pity party – I have a lot to be happy and thankful for.  But my balance has been affected due to it and I walk with a cane. I’m doing more than I was before though – I can walk around more and use the reading software on my computer to stay in touch  with everyone.

After football, I worked for a construction company and then went into teaching and coaching – we won a couple of state championships. I then went on to work at Merck for 11 years. That’s when my sight started to go. I’m taking it all in stride though. I have a good attitude and try to stay upbeat. There are a lot of people who have it worse than I do. I have a great family and I’m excited about that. My kids finished college – my son graduated from Bucknell and played football there for four years. It was funny  – I went back to Pittsburgh with my son and was invited to go on the field and walk around. I walked by Tunch Ilkin and we shared a laugh – his son went to college and played running back and mine played offensive guard. We were both reversed!

My daughter went to Cornell for two years but came home in 2012 to help take care of me when when I got sick. I had to get shots for my MS and I got an infection in my thigh – the flesh-eating disease – and it put me in the hospital for two months. It took me a couple of years to learn how to walk again. That was the hardest thing for me – having to use a wheelchair. I’m getting back to walking again now.

Continue reading “Rodney Carter, Steelers Running Back, 1987-1989”

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?

I’m in the institutional securities business as a broker. My clients consist of community banks across the country. Been with the same firm over twenty years.

How hard was it for you to adjust to life post professional football, and how did your time in the NFL help you to do so?

The adjustment was difficult initially due to the uncertainty and with a wife and kids. I would guess that my football career possibly opened some doors, and a competitive drive, but not much in the way of a 8-5 work schedule. Wondered around a couple other career opportunities before I stuck with my current job.

Continue reading “John Goodman, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 1980-1985”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you’ve retired from the NFL, and how you got started doing so?

Well, I started my own company – representing a number of companies that manufacture roofing materials. We’ve come a long way – it’s been twenty-seven years now.

How did you decide on this?

I tried to decide what I wanted to do after football – I looked into companies that hire reps – spent a month researching it in the library. I came up with a Fortune 500 company that was making $145 million then. It’s making $5.8 billion now. We helped transform it – now they do aerial  infrareds, build and design, sell materials… Another company just joined our little band that has the IRS permission to offer tax credits. It’s all a big, blossoming thing.

Continue reading “Thom Dornbrook, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1979-1980”