Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing with yourself lately?

I’m still in the biggest highs of my life, raising my family, My son is in high school, playing varsity soccer. My daughter plays tennis. My wife is doing great with her job. I’m still doing my job full-time, and that allows me to save lives every day.

I help people get treatment – work at a residential treatment center. People recovering from PTSD, addictions, and mental health issues. They come to my facility for recovery. I love being a resource for them.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Randy Fuller, 1995-1997”

First off, what are the plans for the offseason for you?

For now, it’s just an ongoing process to get ready for next year. I’m doing what I do best – figuring out what’s next!

I’m doing my strength and conditioning work, weightlifting and working on that work-life balance. A lot of stuff is going on here for me personally – and of course I’m getting ready for next season in Pittsburgh!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Kyron Johnson”

First, can you let me know what you’re up to since the NFL?

I’m in the food service industry – I have been since I’ve been out of school. I’ve been the general manager of a few places running food and beverage and am now at the Lawrence Country Club here in Kansas. I never left the area since I came back after Pittsburgh. I like cooking and taking care of people.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety Justin Thornton, 2010”

First off, why did you decide to sign with Pittsburgh this year?

Truth be told, I was looking for a stable opportunity. I was with the Raiders for five weeks but I wasn’t really given an opportunity there. The Steelers gave me a real chance. Mike T. told me he knew that I wasn’t a practice squad player.

With the injuries there, I got a good chance to play if I proved myself. He told me that “If you don’t act funny, I won’t act funny!”

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Mykal Walker”

First off, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days?

My time in Pittsburgh still impacts me to this day. To see how they have so much success in their systems  – from top to bottom – from the Rooneys to the coaches and players and how they created a winning culture. They have been doing it for so long – it trickled down though the team. It’s one of the best organizations I’ve been around.

How did they manage to do that, from your perspective?

Tomlin – the way he joked and got along with players and yet be serious at the same time. It was interesting to see how he pulled off that dynamic. I was able to see what winners did to be successful – how to create a winning culture. I remember once walking out to the practice field and passing a room on the way out – in the room Dick LeBeau was there getting his Hall of Fame bust made. I had to stop in to see it – he was a legend.

I went to the practice squad then and they told me that if they made the playoffs they were seriously thinking of activating me. Unfortunately we didn’t make it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Johnny Williams, 2009”

First off, what’s the offseason plan for you?

Well, I have a baby coming in May so I’m looking forward to that! For now, I’m looking over my notes of my time in Pittsburgh – the playbook and techniques, trying to improve on those things. Even my notes from Cleveland – there are techniques I learned there that I can apply to my game still.

Soon I’ll go back home to Maryland and train with my brother and college coach.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Joey Fisher”

First, what have you been up to since football and how did you get started in this work?

When I played for the Steelers, I broke my ankle two years in a row. After Pittsburgh I went to Buffalo then broke my leg playing against the Steelers – I didn’t have great luck with Pittsburgh! I played in the league a couple of more years with Green Bay and Atlanta then retired in 2003.

After that I joined a steel company that produced structured steel and worked my way up to running the company when I was 33. I’m still in that business now though with a different company – Brown Strauss Steel. I’m the President there and we’re pushing our way East. Who knows, maybe we’ll be in Pittsburgh soon – it’ll come full circle.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Kris Farris, 1999”

First off, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL? Was the post-NFL transition difficult?

Well, I’m married and have grown kids now and live here in San Antonio working retail.

My oldest son Dimitri played in the NFL for two years and my nephew Trey is playing now for Atlanta.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Buffalo, Steelers Linebacker Erik Flowers, 2013”