Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since you’ve retired from the NFL?

After retiring, I got my MBA from Vanderbilt and graduated in May. I now work for Asurion doing strategic pricing for them. In football, leadership and looking at trends of the teams and players you faced was essential to predict the offense. That’s the role I’m doing here – looking into pricing results to create opportunities to price offerings that ensure customer satisfaction.

What caused you to retire and how hard was that adjustment?

It was more because of the news on brain injuries. I wanted to play football but not too long that I couldn’t start another career. I enjoyed it but the young guys starting getting faster and faster. I could catch them but i wanted to use my mind to take on other challenges.

Talking about challenges…how hard was it making it to the NFKL as an undrafted free agent?

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Patrick Bailey, 2008-2009”

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

Well, I got into coaching about eleven years ago at the high school level. I always wanted to be have a career in the police force but wanted to coach as well. At the high school level I was able to develop younger players – transition them to college and help not only   educationally, but as athletes. The high school level is a great age – a great foundation to build on their fundamentals.

My son also played football, so from that standpoint that was good. I love the game so it was natural for me.

Continue reading “Charles Lockett, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1987-1988”

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

I’ve been working at a tire place here in Wheeling, West Virginia. I’m the warehouse manager and work with the lift kits on trucks. Been doing that for twenty years now.

Was it hard adjusting to life after the NFL?

It was pretty tough, yeah. I still love and miss football. But after we had our first daughter  my focus was on her first. I lost my edge. She became my number one priority. It was tough in the beginning but I have no regrets.

Continue reading “Shawn Vincent, Steelers Cornerback, 1991”

We had a chance to catch up with former Steelers OL coach Larry Zierlein on Steel Nation Radio Presented By Steelers Takeaways. Coach Zierlein is currently with the Cardinals staff but shares some great info on tonight’s Chiefs game, Coach Tomlin,, Ramon Foster, drafting OL, and really gives us some insight into the O-Line.  It’s a great interview and I hope you take a listen!

Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith joined Steel Nation Association and I today on Steel Nation Radio Presented By Steelers Takeaways to talk about the Chiefs game tomorrow night, what it’s like to be a Practice Squad player as well as playing special teams and making big plays on that unit.  Cromartie-Smith played for the Steelers from 2010-2013 and he shares some great experiences he had in the Burgh’ with us.  Take a listen to this two part series and get those towels waving!