Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

I’m retired. I had my hip replaced twenty-five years ago. My left knee replaced eleven years ago. My right knee ten years ago and my right should December of 2010.

Football injuries?

More than likely. I feel fine though.  Thank God for store-bought parts! Without prosthetics, I wouldn’t be here.

You came to the Steelers in 1961 as a tenth round pick. How much pressure did you feel to make the team?

No pressure at all, really.

In Notre Dame there were no athletic dorms  – we stayed with the other students. And no phones in our rooms. At both ends of each hall were payphones. Well, when I was drafted, a guy came down from the end of the hall and told me I had a phone call.  It was Fran Fogerty of the Steelers. He was the one that told me I was drafted and told me I should come in to sign my contract.

Continue reading ““Red” Mack, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1961-1963, 1965″

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

I work at an alternative school – crisis management school for kids from kindergarten through fifth grade. We help kids who have difficulties in school to get their behaviors under control so they can get back to the mainstream schools.

I work in construction as well, but it’s really slow right now.

How did you get started as a teacher?

I worked for fifteen years in construction, but the industry has gone down.  A friend of mine who was a teacher thought I’d be good working with him as a teacher. I worked in Pittsburgh helping delinquent youth so I had some experience in doing that. I just started teaching last year.

Continue reading “Eric Williams, Steelers Safety, 1983-1986”

First, Can you let readers know about your work as Principal of the Bullard Intermediate School District? What brought you to this role and what are your greatest challenges?

I began my Education career at age 52 after another career in insurance. I work as the Principal of 5th and 6th graders. I have always enjoyed young people (coached for six years ) . I work very hard at trying to be a role model for my kids. They are faced with many challenges that my generation did not have to cope with.

You came into the NFL in 1964 – who helped mentor you as a rookie with those Pittsburgh teams and how did they do so?

Charlie Bradshaw-Great guy and a Texan-Bobby Layne-trying to show me what being competitive is all about. Andy Russell–Great team example, hard worker.

Continue reading “Tommy Wade, Steelers Quarterback, 1964-1965”

First, can you let readers know what you are do with yourself these days?

I’m retired now. I’m writing a book about Penn State coach Lou Prado  and the Steelers – about my time coaching for both and all the other places I’ve coached. I’ve coached in over fourteen places I guess – seven pro teams and the rest college.

How did you get involved with the Steelers – how did you start working for Chuck Noll in 1971?

I started off as the defensive line coach for Chuck in ’71. I did it under the condition that I could coach during the day and go to school at night. But I had four kids and my wife was really raising them alone, so the day before I was going to start night school I decided not to do it.

Continue reading “Dan Radakovich, Steelers DL & OL Coach, 1971, 1974-1977”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days and how your health is?

After retiring from the Patriots in 1979 I moved to Spartanburg, SC to work for Jostens, Inc. and have been with them since 1981.

Jostens has made most of the professional championship rings including five of the six Steelers rings and the one I still wear from 1974. I work mainly in the high schools in the upstate of SC but have also work on many of the Pro and College Championship rings. My oldest son Travis and wife Sharon also work with me for Jostens.

I also have three  other children: Molly is in real estate and living in Charleston,SC, Matt is an attorney in Birmingham, Al and Andy is in his first year of Law School at UGA. They are all great kids and love the Steelers!

Continue reading “Dick Conn, Steelers Cornerback, 1974”

First, can you tell readers what you are doing with yourself these days?

I have lived in the Greater Seattle area for the past seven years. I help people obtain their real estate goals as a Realtor for Windermere Real Estate. I am a blessed husband with three amazing children.

I have also cofounded a nonprofit organization called The Madhouse Project that raises funds for the world renowned Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

www.johnfiala.com

www.themadhouseproject.org

Continue reading “John Fiala, Steelers Linebacker, 1998-2002”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

I’m retired now. I coached Division II and Division IA football for a while. I helped a lot of kids get to school, and get through school.

How did you do that?

I had to convince the kids and coaches that they are there for their education and are paying for it in sweat, toil and injuries.  They all have designs for the NFL but few get there. You have to convince the coaches and the kids that if they don’t perform in class they won’t get on the field.

Good students make good athletes. If you don’t perform in school why should I give you the reps?

Continue reading “Lee Calland, Steelers Cornerback, 1969-1972”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing these days?

My wife, daughter and I are all in real estate together for the East side of Columbus, Ohio. My wife has had the business for over thirty years. I joined about ten years ago. I told her as long as she keeps working and I can keep golfing, we’re in great shape!

Tell us about being drafted out of  Tennessee-Chattanooga College in 1963?

I was drafted by Pittsburgh and Boston of the AFL. It was an easy choice to go to Pittsburgh. I grew up sixty miles from Pittsburgh. My family and relatives lived in McKeesport. And training camp was at West Liberty State College, which was only ten minutes from home.

There was also the saying, that if you don’t make it in the NFL, you can always go down to the AFL…

Continue reading “Jim Bradshaw, Steelers Safety, 1963-1967”