More than 1,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff, media and more with those that played in the 50’s through today’s current roster.
First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your football days?
I’m invested in a company I’m launching – Kudosnacks.com – we’re partnered with the UFC. It’s a protein packed popcorn – healthy and vegan friendly. I’m getting into that now. It’s been my main focus – getting that off the ground.
I’m putting my kids through college as well and just trying to relax a bit.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Bengals, Patriots Running Back Corey Dillon”
First, can you let me know what you’re up to now?
I’m the General Manager now Of BURN by Rocky Patel here in Indiana. We had one near the stadium in Pittsburgh. I did a lot of work there with Mike Linkovich – the General Manager there. We went there a lot with coaches and players and their families and associates – we’d go there and have a good time and hold meetings and events there.
I settled here after working for Pepsi when Mike approached me about this opportunity. It fit my skillsets – I love people and building relationships. He thought this would be a good fit. I’m all about people.
First off, can you let me know how you get start in your art work?
I went to school for graphic design and got some short jobs afterwards. But it wasn’t working for me, which I guess was a blessing. After I got laid off I started honing in on my art skills – I was always into being an artist since high school but I always wanted to be better than I thought I was.
I had a lot of support along the way, looking back on it. At the beginning I just wasn’t satisfied with my work. I started off doing portraits of Steelers – the first was one of Myron Cope and the Terrible Towel – I did that for my husband. After that I did one of Big Ben.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers/NFL’s First Female Licensed Artist Tempy Moore”
First off, how is your health?
I was diagnosed with ALS in 2016 but am doing pretty good. My gait is slow and a bit awkward, but I have no complaints. The doctors think I’m among the lucky 10% who will live 10 or more years after their diagnosis. My sister Laurie, Tunch Ilkin and several football teammates from Oregon State all passed from ALS within the typical two-to-five year period after being diagnosed. I’m often asked what I attribute my longevity to and I assure everyone it’s just luck. My sister and football friends were otherwise very healthy people and did everything in their power to win the battle but ALS won out.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Craig Hanneman, 1971-1973”
First, can you let me know how the Steeline got started?
The Steeline started in 2012 – I encountered drumlines in grad school at Missouri and met people who were involved with the drumlines with the Chiefs and Rams. I thought it was a really cool thing. I was originally from Pittsburgh and had planned to come back to Pittsburgh after I graduated. So I thought it would be awesome to start one up in Pittsburgh.
I moved back and got together with a few friends of mine in college who were also drummers – we developed the idea. The music, uniforms, persona, logos….We then approached the Steelers to see if we could work with them. We had some contacts in the community – the team brought in high school bands for games and we knew some of those guys – so we were able to get in touch with the team.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Vince Wallace of the Steelers Steeline Drumline”
First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?
Well, I’m retired now. I play a lot of pickleball and have a lot of grandkids, so I do a lot of things with them – sporting events and those types of things. I also play a lot of golf when the weather is nice. And I stay involved in the community.
You are involved with the NFL Alumni Association there too correct?
I’m President of the local chapter here yes. We focus a lot on kids – reading programs for kids to ensure they don’t get too far behind. We have a golf tournament we do with St. Elizabeth’s Hospital as well.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Cincinnati Bengals Kicker Jim Breech”
First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
When I was done playing in ’09, I came home and started teaching in 2012. They asked if I wanted to coach and I told them I wasn’t ready yet. But in 2018 I finally said I’d do it. My first year was a struggle and I said I wouldn’t do it again. But three months later I was named the AD and head coach!
I’m now in my fifth season and we’ve won a lot of games since then and had a lot of fun. It’s been fun coaching my boys and nephews too.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Bengals Tight End Matt Schobel”
First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to lately?
I live in Colorado, near Denver, with my wife and kids. I’ve been working out, fishing, skiing and playing a lot of basketball. I think of myself as semi-retired – I’m staying in shape just in case someone calls.
Were you aware of the Steelers-Browns rivalry when you were drafted by the Browns?
I wasn’t really super aware of if – I grew up in Wisconsin so I was aware of the Packers-Bears and Packers-Vikings rivalry more. I heard stories about the rivalry of course.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns, Steelers (2021) Linebacker Joe Schobert”
First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?
You know what they say – life is about relationships. Cody Risien and George Lilja were friends of mine from Cleveland and they got me into the medical MRI scanner business – selling those. They were booming at the time. I’ve been in that business ever since.
It’s not as thrilling as the NFL but not as nerve-racking either!
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns Defensive Lineman Dave Puzzuoli”
First what are you up to now?
I decided not to return to the CFL for personal reasons. We went to the Grey Cup last year and lost to Winnipeg. I decided not to go back for a while. But now I’m looking forward to going back and re-joining the CFL or XFL and jumpstarting my career.
In the meantime I’m working in law enforcement – doing executive protection and fugitive recovery here in Atlanta. I got my degree in criminal justice so this was a natural fit, and it gives me the flexibility to continue training while I gain experience in the field I want to pursue when I am done with football.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Outside Linebacker Keion Adams, 2017-2018”