Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

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”

First, can you tell readers what you are doing with yourself and how you got involved in coaching?

I have been doing a lot of different things but the two main things would be spending some great time with my family and coaching high school football.  I got involved in coaching because I felt you could have a tremendous impact on young mens lives not only in teaching them the fundamentals of football but also the encouragement you could have with them on everyday life obstacles.

I believe that coaching goes way beyond the X’s and O’s football and that it  impacts the fundamentals of ones character and I want to be part of that in a positive way.  Coaches have had a tremendous impact on my life so I want to return that to someone else.

Continue reading “Travis Kirschke, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 2004-2009”