Welcome to Steelers Takeaways! – Page 13 – 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.

Exclusive with Joe Gibbs of NFL Ref Stats

First, can you let me know how you got started compiling stats on NFL referees for NFL Ref Stats?

It really started by necessity. I make Vegas my home most of the year and I’d meet up with friends – Scott Kellen who runs Sixth Sense Sports and Bernie Fratto who’s on Fox Sports Radio. We’d meet up at the M Casino on Sundays at their sportsbook to watch games. We noted the refs and their impact on games but didn’t follow it that much. When calls were made we’d hear that is was good for the home team or the over-under, but that was about it. I wanted to learn more about the referees and how they called games.

I knew there were sites for baseball that covered the size of strike zones for umpires and figured there would be similar sites for NFL football refs, but there was nothing remotely close to what I was looking for. So I figured I’d start one on my own.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Joe Gibbs of NFL Ref Stats”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Center John Cenci, 1956

First, can you talk a bit about what you got involved with after football?

Well, I went back to school and got my Masters from Pitt and taught for four years. After that I went back to grad school at Duquesne and got a degree in counseling and ended up being a high school guidance counselor in Pittsburgh for 30-plus years.

Now, I’m recovering from a heart attack I had a while ago and walking around the house every day to get back in shape!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Center John Cenci, 1956”

Exclusive: Jimmy Kibble, CEO & Founder of Beyond Sports, LLC | National Scouting Combine

First of all, how did the National Scouting Combine begin?

It’s similar to the NFL Combine. I was in the NFL Combine in 2000, then fast-forward, I started this National Combine event. Every event says they can get you to the NFL and all jockey for that position. But not every player can be an NFL player. I’ve seen a lot of players and not everyone can be at the top of the pyramid.

I was with the Patriots and got hurt and made my way back to the NFL by playing in leagues like the AFL. I saw players who played for the love of the game. By 2010 I had four kids and knew my game was coming to an end.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Jimmy Kibble, CEO & Founder of Beyond Sports, LLC | National Scouting Combine”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Karlos Williams, 2016

First off, can you tell me about the work you’re doing now for high school recruits?

I started up a new program to help kids with recruiting. After I stopped playing I got into coaching and that was sticky for me. I enjoyed it – but I couldn’t help kids like I wanted to to get into schools and continue to play. So I used the network I built up of coaches – from high school to the NFL – to help advocate for kids. It’s hard to get recruited if there’s no one in your corner.

When you have someone outside of your inner circle – not a parent or coach – who can help you and give you a different point of view, who can help you train and give you the good and the bad – that really helps. I was a highly recruited player out of high school and I loved the recruiting process. I learned a lot from it and think I can help kids. A lot of kids go under-recruited – maybe they are from smaller schools or just don’t have anyone to advocate for them. I’m consistently cycling through film and making calls to get kids into schools.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Karlos Williams, 2016”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Miguel Chavis, 2011

First off, why coaching and what’s your ultimate coaching goal/wish?

I wanted to develop guys. I love the game – I always had a passion for the game of football.

After the NFL I was in the ministry as a youth pastor. I was content and happy trying to make a difference with the kids then.

Then Dabo Sweeney – he was the head coach at Clemson at the time – he called me. I was still active in the Clemson community. He said “Listen. Do what you’re doing, developing young men. Just do it in the game of football.” He told me I’d be a great coach. The seed was planted for me to coach already by Dan Brooks, my position coach at Clemson. He told me that I connected well with players and was a great teacher. And coaching is teaching.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Miguel Chavis, 2011”

Exclusive: Former Jaguars Wide Receiver Jimmy Smith

First, can you let us know what you have been up to since your playing days?

Right now I’m enjoying being a father. I have five boys – four play football and one plays basketball. My two oldest are at Wyoming and two are in high school. That’s my priority right now.

How has the post-NFL transition been for you? I know some have an easier time than others.

I’m still making the transition, ever since I retired really. I had my ups and downs but as long as I have my priorities in order and have a good solid spiritual relationship in order, I am ok.

But you are right, it is an easier transition for some than others.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Former Jaguars Wide Receiver Jimmy Smith”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Tommy Dawkins, 1987

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your NFL time?

I got married to my lovely wife Robin and had three boys. They all played football through the collegiate level. One graduated from Appalachian State where I played and two played at NC State – one of those transferred to South Carolina.

What did you do after football?

After football I still had a love for the game and took up coaching. I coached my kids’ Pop Warner teams until they grew out of it then went on to coach in high school for seven years.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Tommy Dawkins, 1987”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Kevin Fogg, 2014-2015

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since football?

Just working, It’s been a different kind of transition for me – just getting over a lot of stuff. Not in a bad way – I just kept a certain face on for a long time and decided it was time to move forward.

What kind of stuff?

Stuff about my sexuality. It wasn’t fun to go through that over my career.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Kevin Fogg, 2014-2015”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Jay Kearney, 1996-1997

First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?

I was coaching football at Piscataway High School and had a number of successful years there – we won a couple of state championships. I also sent a few kids to the NFL as first round draft picks – after a while though I retired and went into pharmaceutical sales. Now I get to watch my daughter in her sports journey – she plays softball at the University of Georgia.

Who were the guys you sent as first round picks?

Malcolm Jenkins, Kyle Wilson and Anthony Davis – they all had great talent. I just touched it up a little and showed them what they should expect to experience when they got to college. They were all great, talented kids.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Jay Kearney, 1996-1997”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive LIneman Fernando Velasco, 2013

First, tell me about your role as Player Relations Coordinator for the University of Georgia – how it got started and what you’re doing?

I’m here to help out the kids as they transition into college and after college. To help them find that first job – whether it’s in the NFL or an internship or a job in corporate America. Preparing them for life outside of the NFL.

Was it a tough transition for you after football?

I think the transition is tough for everyone. For me, the key was having a plan. To have an idea of what I wanted to do. The big thing was, I got my degree. No matter who you are, football comes to an end.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive LIneman Fernando Velasco, 2013”