Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

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 after that tough playoff loss and starting working for Gannett. When I was thinking of retiring, I was very interested in the newspaper business and looked into that business. It was a 9-5 job – it sounded good! I went there and got some training. They created a new job for me – Carrier Recruitment Supervisor – in their circulation department. At the time we had 11,000 youth carriers in the Detroit area that distributed our newspaper. The biggest in the U.S. I was responsible for recruiting kids to do that. Well, I wasn’t going to stand on street corners recruiting kids. I talked to the people at work about going to the public schools and speaking to the kids there. They said yes after talking to their legal department, and I went and gave twenty minute speeches there telling them how they could be young merchants.

I was there for twenty-eight years. I went on disability at the end of my twenty-eight year – due to a wrist injury I had from football that I re-injured at work. They fused some bones and put a metal rod in…. Now, I’m doing a lot of signings….doing the circuit!

Continue reading “John “Frenchy” Fuqua, Steelers Running Back, 1970-1976″

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

Growing up, as a kid my parents worked a lot – I grew up with my grandmother. My uncle was Wes Chandler – he played over twelve years in the NFL. Football and sports were always big in my family. I was close with my coaches. By high school, I knew I wanted to be a college coach.  I knew I wanted to play football for the Florida Gators.  Now, just a couple of months ago, I was hired by Warner University to be their wide receivers coach.

Continue reading “Dallas Baker, Steelers Wide Receiver, 2007-2009”

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?

Once I retired from the NFL, I moved to Beaumont, Texas and began to work on completing my Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I then graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. Soon after that, I began to work on a Master’s Degree in Education.

During the time I was working on the Master’s degree, I received a phone call from my former high school football coach. He and the athletic director for Corsicana ISD called and asked if I would be interested in moving back home to teach and coach football in Corsicana. I accepted and immediately moved back home to Corsicana where I graduated and played football for the Corsicana Tigers.

I worked for Corsicana Independent School District as a teacher/coach for four years at the Junior High and the High School. During the time I was teaching and coaching, I continued to work on my Master’s degree at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches Texas. I completed my Master’s degree and accepted an Administrative job at the junior high as an Assistant Principal. I served as an Assistant Principal at Collins Middle School for one year. One year later, I was asked to join my former High School football Head Coach, Don Denbow. Mr. Denbow had just accepted a job as the High School Principal. Mr. Denbow asked me to join him and be a part of his Administrative team at CHS. I served as a High School Assistant Principal for three years under his leadership. Mr. Denbow was promoted to an Administrative Central Office position which left the High School Principal job open. The Superintendent of Cosicana ISD appointed me as the new Corsicana High School Principal of about 1,500 students in grades 9-12. I served as the High School Principal for four years.

The previously mentioned Superintendent retired and Mr. Denbow took over as Superintendent of Schools for Corsicana ISD. Again, he asked if I would work under his leadership. I accepted and became Director of Administration for Corsicana ISD. A couple of years later I became Executive Director of Administration for Corsicana ISD, and currently still hold that position. I think this year will complete 24 years of educational experience for my educational career.

Continue reading “Danzell Lee, Steelers Tight End, 1987”

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’m still in the speaking circuit. It’s been an ongoing thing since I retired. I’m also the owner of a construction company – RBVetCo – we are a general contractor that does design-build and construction management. We work on both the private and pubic sectors with a focus on healthcare. That takes a lot of my time – we work with the Federal government as a commercial contractor. Thirdly, I own a small insurance company with my son. He really runs that. But between those and my two girls, grandkids…I’m always busy!

Continue reading “Rocky Bleier, Steelers Running Back, 1968-1980”

First, can you let readers know what you have been doing since you’re time in the NFL?

I’m, in media. I’m a producer and analyst for NFL Films and the NFL Network. I’m also the producer for ESPN College Football.

How did that get started?

I tried to get in front of the camera, but if you’re not a big name former athlete it’s hard. I found a niche not a lot get into. I was an imposing guy – I have an MBA in Healthcare Management and own a nursing school.  I wanted to do something I love too.

I’m one of maybe ten guys that got into this. Not many people go in to media trying to learn to be a producer as an athlete. I have insight into the game that most TV people don’t have because I played it. I interned at NFL Films – knowing TV and football makes me a commodity now.

Continue reading “Barrett Brooks, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 2003-2006”

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?

After my NFL career was over, I was not sure what I was going to do. I wanted to coach in the NFL or college, but those opportunities are tough to get. My first job after I retired was in real estate. I got my Real Estate License and went to work. Second, I started working with troubled teens at a school in Arizona called, Sun Valley. Third, I started a small company called ProDay Training Camp, which is where a lot of my time is spent today. We work with kids and adults promoting health and fitness. We provide workouts, leagues, and camps for kids.

Continue reading “Lance Brown, Steelers Safety, 1998-1999”

First, can you tell us a bit about your post-NFL life – and profession as an engineer?

Well, I went on to the oldest living player website some time ago, and I saw that I was the 236th oldest living player left!   There are twenty-five other Steelers before me.

I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Duke in 1953. My first job was with Shell Oil as an industrial lubricants engineer.  When I was drafted by the Steelers in 1953, I was a low draft choice. After my first job I ran a gas station and said this wasn’t for me, so I gave the NFL a try when I was drafted. I was in the ROTC then. My plan was to fulfill my military commitment as a Navy Lieutenant flying jets. But I lost my brother in the war in 1943. As a sole survivor designation, I was classified as a 4E and not drafted. So I ended up playing football.

I got a job with a plumbing contractor when I was playing, and didn’t do to well at that. When I left Pittsburgh in 1955, I worked for an engineering company in Philly, selling heating and air conditioning.  Then I went to Denver in the 60’s. I’ve been an engineer all of my life. Those are my skills.

Continue reading “Lou Tepe, Steelers Linebacker, 1953-1955”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing since you’ve retired from the NFL, including your baseball endeavors, and how you got started in these new ventures?

I have been up to a little bit of everything.  I managed a Whitetail Deer Ranch for five years (Lodge Creek Whitetails). I have always given quarterback and pitching lessons while I was playing and after I retired.  It got to where that was taking up most of my time and I started Coaching my sons travel baseball team and it has evolved into the Steelers Baseball Club.  We are going into our fourth year and we have four teams 10U,11U,14U and 16U.  I have a 7500 square foot training facility in Justin, Texas and I get to work with young people in sports, but more importantly I get to be a part of their lives.

Continue reading “Tommy Maddox, Steelers Quarterback, 2001-2005”