Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

So, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself since the NFL and about you new broadcasting job and charity work?

I’m more of a freelancer right now – I’m exploring options and trying to get on with a network. I’ve been doing a lot of media – radio and TV – getting fully immersed  now in the business now that I’m fully retired from the NFL.

My charity work started when I was a kid. My mother took me to the Salvation Army every Christmas and Thanksgiving to serve food to the homeless and that’s where it started.

In high school, I started the Leadership Program that’s still used today. It was started in 1999 when I went to the National Service leadership Conference. It existed to help tutor and mentor kids in failing schools and the program is still going on today.

In Pittsburgh, I worked with the Children’s Literacy and Education Fund – we donated over 10,000 books to area kids and schools in the Central Florida area. The programs help kids understand football, but also life in the classroom. I want kids to be successful athletes and citizens. That’s where my heart is. I want kids to be able to read. People were there for me when I was a kid. They went out of their way for me. Who am I not to repay that kindness?

Continue reading “Max Starks, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 2004-2012”

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

At this time I’m a Loss Mitigation Manager at Ally Financial Service in the auto division.  I also have two other ventures that I do for fun.  One is personal football training.  I coach speed and agility training as well as personal defensive back or wider receiver training. The second is my football camp that I have been organizing for the past four years.  I grew up in a single parent home and couldn’t afford to attend many basketball and football camps that others attended. I wanted to give back to the community that help raise me, and also make it affordable.

Continue reading “Nakia Codie, Steelers Safety, 2000”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you retired from the NFL?

I’m a caseworker at a children’s home here in Waco, Texas. I work with at-risk kids.

What made you decide to get involved in that?

I was just always interested in it. Growing up, a lot of folks helped me as a kid. After I retired from the NFL, I decided to work in the youth home and help other kids. I wanted to help them in some way.

Continue reading “Frank Pollard, Steelers Running Back, 1980-1988”

Excerpts from prior interviews on new HOF inductee Jerome Bettis:

Hines Ward:
I would have to say it was Jerome Bettis.  He was like a big brother to me.  He taught me how to deal with the fame that came along with winning and as I started to emerge as a starter and team leader.  He taught me how to handle all the money that came with that fame too.  I am very grateful to Jerome for all his insight.  We had a great ride together which is why I took him to Disney World when I was SB MVP

Jeff Reed:
I will tell you that Josh Miller, Tommy Maddox, Mike Schneck, Joey Porter, Clark Haggans, Hines Ward, and Jerome Bettis were my closest buddies…every single one of them made me feel like I could do no wrong…obviously I had a lot to prove, but they put me at ease with their funny stories about kickers, confident personalities, and the “games” we played throughout practice…it was new to me and of course I was anxious and nervous, but those men are special and always will be!

Continue reading “Former Steelers’ Quotes on Jerome Bettis”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days, and how you got started in this post- N FL career?

Well I’m the Associate Director of Player Personnel and the Director of Player Development here at LSU. I came back to finish up my degree and ran into Coach Miles and the rest is history.

 How has your time in the NFL helped?

Being in the NFL help me mature and mold me into the man I am today. It makes you grow up fast and hold yourself and other accountable.

Continue reading “Justin Vincent, Steelers Running Back, 2007-2010”

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

I’ve been out of the game and was in the car business for twenty years. I was a GM of a car dealership and then life happened. I had a couple of kids, a son who is sixteen and plays football at  Southlake Carroll here in Texas, and a daughter who is a freshman at the University of Oklahoma and is on the rowing team. So, I switched gears. Football and sports can be very demanding. I’m now currently employed at a lumber company in Grand Rapids. I’m the account manager here in Saginaw, TX. I’m enjoying spending time with my children.

Continue reading “Reggie Barnes, Steelers Linebacker, 1993”

First, can you let readers know about your new broadcasting career – why you retired from the NFL, how you got started in broadcasting and what specifically you are covering?

My last year in Pittsburgh, I tore my hamstring and I never got 100% healthy. That injury lingered with me after the season so I decided to shut it down and retire.

I actually got started in broadcasting while I was playing in Pittsburgh. I had my own TV show called the BMAC Corner that gave me the opportunity to talk about sports and bring some of my teammates on the show. So, when I retired, I wanted to get involved in sports in some way, so I did an internship at a local station in Miami. I used the reels from that station and sent it to 120 Sports and the rest is history. At 120 Sports, I cover all sports, not just football.

Continue reading “Bryant McFadden, Steelers Cornerback, 2005-2008, 2010-2011”

Darren Perry: “Dick was great. He gave me great advice – to not get caught up in the political stuff – its such an insecure business. I’m so glad he told me that, There’s so much insecurity and self-preservation with these adults in coaching. It helped me to keep above that stuff. It doesn’t matter – just do your job and work to develop the players. I always held on to that.”

Continue reading “Steeler Players’ comments on Dick LeBeau”

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?

Well,  I have been trying to do better for my two daughters and family by getting into work that I enjoy – work that involves helping others.

How hard was it for you to adjust to the CFL and to non-NFL-related work? What heaped you make that adjustment?

Playing in the CFL was just a faster paced game but it’s still football. I just strive to be great at everything I do.

Continue reading “Mortty Ivy, WVU/Steelers Linebacker, 2011-2012”