More than 2,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff PLUS interviews with Pittsburgh actors, musicians, authors and more
First off, I know you were a defensive player and coach in college at Westminster and Robert Morris, but you were coaching offense for much of your time in Pittsburgh. How did that happen?
That’s a great question. I thought the same thing when then the job was offered to me by Bill Cowher! At the time Mike Mularkey was hired by the Bills to be their coach after being the Steelers offensive coordinator. Mike took some of the Steelers assistant coaches with him.
First off, congratulations on being hired to start up a new football program at Chicago State – how do you go about starting up a program like that?
It starts in the community – creating stakeholders and positive energy and community engagement. It’s going well – the community has taken to the program. We’re getting a good vibe from Chicago. I’m enjoying it.
Continue reading “Exclusive with New Chicago State University Head Coach Bobby Rome”
First, can you tell me how you got into photography?
I always loved documenting things and watching history unfold. I love photography because it’s a mish-mosh of all of that. It’s an art form and storytelling – it’s capturing history.
When I first got hold of my mother’s digital camera and saw her pictures – things like family vacations – I loved it. I loved taking pictures with her camera and got my own camera at the age of 10.
When I was in middle and high school I learned how to use a dark room and learned the art form of photography. I learned I could make a career of it in college. I went to Penn State as an undecided communications major – I didn’t know what I wanted to do then. One of the options they gave me was photojournalism. I knew what the photo part was, just not the journalism!
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Photographer Alysa Rubin”
First off, what made you decide to sign with the Steelers?
Honestly, the last months leading up to the draft I had no contact with the Steelers – it all came out of the woodwork at the end. I had no conversations with coaches leading up to the draft. In the late rounds one team called and was going to give me an offer but then they picked a tight end at the end of the draft so that fell through.
It was silent after the draft for about 30 minutes when my agent called saying the Steelers wanted to sign me – he locked that in. It was funny to hear since I had no contact with them. But my agent told my that’s pretty typical for the Steelers – they are one of the more quiet teams. I’m super-excited though to go to the Steelers though. That program has had a lot of success – it has so many great players and a great fanbase.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End J.J. Galbreath”
First off, you studied theater well before Mr Rogers – I’m not sure how many knew that. What got you interested in acting in the first place?
My grandfather used to take me to plays. The first play I ever saw was from a touring company that come through Pittsburgh. The play was called “Harvey” – Jimmy Stewart made it into a movie. The play starred comedian Joe E. Brown – I think he was related to a former manager of the Pirates.
The play was in a grand old theater – the atmosphere of that Saturday matinee – it was enchanting. I came home after that and redid the play in our basement using crates and curtains and played every part. That’s what got me started!
Continue reading “Exclusive with Pittsburgh Actor David Newell (AKA Mr. McFeely)”
First off, why did you decide to try out with the Steelers – what went into the decision?
It was kind of a weird process – I was trying to get a contract with any team – some teams showed interest but I didn’t get offers. Then the Steelers called – they said they were interested and extended the offer to come to camp. My agent had reached out to Omar Khan and asked if he was interested in bringing me in – they were friends and Omar said he was interested and that’s when I got the offer.
I looked at their history of developing small school prospects and went with that.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Camp Invite, Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren”
First off, why did you take on the tryout at Pittsburgh versus another team?
I’ve been away for so long from home – except for the Summer and holidays. I was a walk-on at Tulsa, then got a scholarship at Southeastern Louisiana then went to Central Michigan my final two years.
It feels good to get an opportunity to play for such an awesome franchise that’s so deeply rooted in the NFL. So coming back home to Pittsburgh was a no-brainer. They always have some of the best lineman and offensive line coaches. And Coach Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the game.
First off, how did the tryout come about and why Pittsburgh?
Building up after the season, I signed with an agent with the expectation of getting a camp invite. Close to the draft I got some interest from the Steelers – they came out to my pro day and I saw them there. I know Casey Weidl – one of the Steelers scouts – he went to the same high school I did. Omar Kahn called me initially actually and said they wanted to bring me in for a tryout. I accepted right away. Then I spoke with Casey later to confirm some things.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Camp Tryout, Pittsburgh Native QB Seth Morgan”
First, what’s the offseason been like for you?
Since the season ended – and in such an unfortunate way – my wife and I wanted to get away from football and business and connect with each other. Life gets busy – we wanted to take time off and get off the grid. We went to Thailand and spent two weeks in the jungle just deepening our connection and bonding.
Then we travelled to Nigeria – I have a development project there and my father-in-law lives there too so we visited with him. We killed two birds with one stone.
And of course every offseason is an on-season these days. So I have been training and trying to get better. The truth is at this stage you don’t continue playing if you can’t outpace the younger guys.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Tackle Calvin Anderson”
Congratulations on signing with the Steelers – did you know they had interest in you beforehand?
I knew that they had interest last fall. A bunch of scouts came and saw me and Sam Pitz and showed interest in me – the Steelers were the main ones. During the draft my agent Joe Linta called and told me the Steelers were super-interested and I should expect a call. I didn’t know if that meant as a draft pick or undrafted free agent. After the last pick of the draft by the Patriots, I kid you not, 20 seconds later the Steelers called.
I signed with them – I was super-excited – I’m stoked and honored to be a part of such an historic franchise with such great coaches.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Aiden Williams”