Welcome to Steelers Takeaways! – Page 168 – 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.

Bill Moushey

Bill Moushey, Author, Never Give Up (July 19, 2011):

First, what made you decide to focus a book solely on James Harrison?

I grew up in NE Ohio, went to Kent State (played football for a year) and knew of Harrison through those channels. I knew he also had a tough life. When he won the NFL Defensive Player of the year award, moved forward and learned he had a fascinating life of overcoming daunting odds to achieve success.

How reluctant was Harrison in working with you on the book – and did you experience those moments of intimidation that many sportwriters seem to when they interview him?

It took awhile to get him to loosen up, but I had the luxury of time.

He does have an intimidating demeanor, but once you pierce through that, he was engaging and Interesting.

In your research and discussions with Harrison, what surprised you most about Harrison “the person” versus the player?

He loves kids. He lights up whenever he’s around them.

That’s why he set up a foundation helping children.

Harrison struggled with his attitude early on in his career, making it difficult for him to stick with teams. How did he turn that attitude around – who/what influenced him?

I think he had a difficult transition from college to professional football on a lot of fronts.

I think he learned how to be a professional from folks like Jason Gildon and Joey Porter. I also think once he learned the complicated defenses, he quit thinking and started reacting, which helped him become all-pro.

Were you able to derive what the source was/is behind Harrison’s hard-nosed attitude in your discussions with him?

Early in his life, he created a wall around himself. It might have been because he went to schools outside his neighborhood (all-white) or maybe it was insecurity.

The bottom line is that he used that rough exterior to his advantage early and as life unfolded. I think the older he gets, the less hard-nosed he is.

If you offer up one experience of Harrison’s that best sums up the man, what would that be?

He works harder than anyone. His focus is unique. He plays through incredible injuries.

He faces adversity head on and, like the book says, he never gave up.

What do you make of his recent Men’s Journal interview and subsequent fallout?

What he said, in large part, is true. How he said it was indefensible.

My point of view is that he refused to bad-mouth coaches and teammates in the book (on the record). I wish he would have made public his inner thoughts in print, as it would have made the book better.

Many of the players supported Harrison after the interview – even ones he criticized. Does this surprise you, and how close is he with his teammates?

Not at all. He is very involved with his defensive teammates. They are a band of brothers.

You may have noticed the comments he made about the quarterback are the only negative words he has ever used to talk about teammates, or for that matter, anyone else in the NFL.

I still don’t get why he did it this time.

In your discussions with Harrison, were you able to tell just how important football is to him? Was he threat to retire last season credible in your opinion?

His children come first, his family second and then football take over. He works every waking hour on football. He does an incredible amount of things to keep him in the best possible position to be great.

What drives Harrison outside of football?

Children and family.

He will have to find a hobby or something after his playing days are over.

What else would surprise fans most about Harrison?

The fateful 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl was a complete improvisation by Harrison.

Any new books on the horizon?

I’m working on one about a corrupt U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agent and keeping an eye on a few sporting folks with hopes of keeping it going.

John Norwig, Head Trainer, Steelers

Can you tell readers how you got started with the Steelers:

I was the Head Athletic Trainer at Vanderbilt and had contacts with the Steelers through the talent scouts that visited the team each season. There was an opening and I was fortunate enough to have Tom Donohoe call me to fill the position. I have been here over 20 years since.

Continue reading “John Norwig, Head Trainer, Steelers”

Steve McKenna

Steve McKenna – Pittsburgh Penguins (July 18, 2011):

First, how is the coaching career and what made someone who was born in Ontario decide to coach for Ice Hockey Australia?

The coaching career has been very enjoyable. For a person who loves the game and didn’t want to give it up (contrary to all the crowd yelling that I should have during my Penguin days!), coaching has been perfect. It is always challenging but I like seeing players develop and helping them achieve their goals, much along the same lines as I did with Kovalev and Jagr in Pittsburgh.

I didn’t bother with Lemieux, he seemed to be doing alright on his own.

Australia is a great country with very passionate people. They love all things sporting and physical. Being able to work with their program was a definite highlight of my career. The players were very receptive to anything that helped them get better.

How difficult has it been to drum up players and support in a country that, seemingly, has less experience with ice hockey? Is that part of the fun/challenge for you that makes the job appealing?

The hockey population in Australia is limited of course. Most of the young men that have some size and athleticism tend towards Aussie rules Football!

But the players that do play love it and see it as an extension of Aussie rules, only on ice. As I said, they love sports and the kids, boys and girls, are very very active so hockey is just another avenue for them. You see sports programs declining in certain places in North America and the associated health problems that go with that, but in Australia they embrace all activities, even Ice Hockey.

Life is all about challenges and trying new experiences. Australia was definitely both those things. It was a great opportunity to go beyond the normal and I lived to tell the tale.

What have been some of the bigger success stories so far – and have you worked with the NHL and Penguins in specific to help build recognition of the program?

The Ice Factor program that is run in South Australia and now even in Sydney has been a great success.

It takes young high risk teens and teaches them hockey and in doing so they learn a lot of real life skills necessary for the outside world. This is a fact that a lot of societies miss out on. They see hockey and sports programs only as an extra expense for tax payers but really, children learn a lot more from organized sports than just how to shoot or run fast!

The NHLPA generously supplied thousands of dollars worth of equipment for the program which was great and gave a lot more kids the opportunity they needed.. I did not approach the Penguins but I know they do a ton of work in the community.

The Australian team qualified for Division 1 while I was there and they again qualified this year. Not bad for a bunch of amateur players, paying to play in the tournament against professionals. This is a testament to their dedication and ability.

What NHL experiences have helped shape your coaching career – and how so?

Dealing with the likes of Ian Moran, Marc Bergevin and Jamie Pushor on a regular basis really made me patient and ready to deal with dysfunctional youngsters of any age!

Having Ville Neminen as a roommate made me aware of eating habits and the problems associated with them, having to decipher what Bergevin and Oliwa were saying readied me for international coaching and the problem of languages and giving young player like Mario the opportunity to play alongside me showed me that I can make other player’s dreams come true as well.

You’ve been known as more of an enforcer/physical player – but in 2003/2004 you did score 9 goals with the Penguins – and had 21 when you played in the OHA. Do you feel you had better offensive skills than your role in the NHL allowed you to display?

I wish you could have said that while I was playing because every day I was in the coach’s office saying the same thing. Of course it was after hours and the coach wasn’t there but I was just building up the courage to say it for real!

I was fortunate to play with some great players, and only through their generosity and kindness in passing me the puck was I able to score at all! In 2003-2004 I did get to play on a pretty good line for a period of time so I can’t take all the credit, or even any of it!! I always knew that there was a 50 goal scorer inside me, unfortunately it is because I ate my Mike Bossy trading card when I was little.

You had a brief stint with the Penguins in 2000-2001, played for the Rangers and Hartford before returning to Pittsburgh for two seasons. What made you decide to return and what was it like for you to do so?

The Penguins are an amazing organization and the people involved with the team from the equipment staff to the front office were top notch. It was honestly like a big family, I made some great relationships and when the opportunity came to go back it was a no-brainer.

And the Fish Market, best sushi this side of York!

Those early 2000 teams had a great deal of talent – Lemieux, Jagr, Stevens, Kovalev, Straka, Kasparaitis, Hedberg… What do you think was ultimately missing that prevented that team from winning another Stanley Cup?

I still look at our roster from that year and wonder what went wrong.

All teams have talent but it takes a certain something to put teams over the top and able to withstand the grind that is the Playoffs. Some teams show it and some don’t. We were missing that one ingredient and I wish I had known what that was.

How close-knit were those early 2000 teams and what would surprise fans most about them?

I can honestly say that I had the most fun and thought I was the luckiest guy ever when I played in Pittsburgh. It had a great mix of personalities and talent and that translated to success on the ice and a great atmosphere off it.

I think Craig Patrick and the management deserve the credit for assembling a good mix of players. Some of the best memories I have are of those years and I have the psychotherapist bills to prove it!

Everything would surprise fans about those years but the most was that Jamie Pushor ran a book club that really paved the way for Oprah to do the same, true story.

Who were the locker room leaders of those teams besides Lemieux – and how did they do so?

When people think of leaders they have this great vision of Braveheart giving his big painted face speech, but that is only one type of leader. Mario is a guy that can get the best from players with only a look.

He and Mark Messier and Brian Leetch are the best leaders I have ever met. They lead by example, by doing the work themselves that they demand from others. How can you not follow and fight for a guy that would do it for you!

But Pittsburgh had many locker room leaders that were just as valuable, Ville was a leader in pastries, we had several social directors depending on city and conference, and Kasparaitis led in a way that made you afraid not to follow him!

Just how crazy was Ian Moran to play with – and who were some of the other characters on those teams – and what made them so?

Ian and Marc Bergevin shared an on camera kiss for the big screen that really made it acceptable for athletes of all flavors to play our game. He was a great guy and he made coming to the rink a new experience every time. He and Bergevin and Tibbetts, and Barnaby, need I say more.

And who can forget Oliwa. It was like the The Breakfast Club of hockey players! Except we didn’t have the princess, unless you include Garth Snow! All the kids you could put into detention at one time and give them hockey sticks and a Stanley Cup to shoot for, and we almost made it.

What were some of your most memorable experiences as a Penguin – and what made them so?

Walking into the room the first time after getting traded from Minnesota and seeing all that talent in one locker room was an experience I wont forget.

The run during the playoffs was memorable, trying to understand a word Nieminen said was always something to remember as well as his ability to sample everything on the desert cart!

Just being able to play and work alongside Mario Lemieux was priceless, and I know he would say the same about me! He was a true professional on and off the ice…again this is a quote I am sure can be attributed to him about me…right?

How has the NHL changed since you’ve played – and is it for the better, in your opinion?

I think once I left, the NHL improved overnight! At least this is what someone from the Penguins tweeted with the name “Pensowner”!

I think they are trying to improve the speed and scoring in the game but I am not totally convinced they are doing it the right way. I think they really need to make the ice surface larger, players are bigger and skating faster, why not give them the room they need.

And they still need to get rid of the instigator rule, you want to limit head shots, make that player accountable for his actions by having to square up with a heavyweight. That is accountability that works.

Fighting will limit concussions before it increases them. But this is from a guy that had to use spell check just to spell concussions!

What’s next for you – where do you see yourself 5-10 years from now in terms of coaching?

I really am enjoying the start of my coaching career. I do love to help young players develop. I am currently coaching in Alleghe, Italy. It is a top division team located in a tiny ski village in northern Italy.

It is yet another experience that I hope will help shape my future. I would like to get back to North America eventually to coach and I would like to make a future at the NCAA level. I like the idea of building the student athlete, they are eager to learn and a lot of future NHLers come from college.

I know Pittsburgh has some great schools so if any are in need of a coach look me up!

Any last thoughts for readers?

Pittsburgh is one of the great sports towns and I was very fortunate to be part of it for a few years. I met a ton of great people and I would like to thank everyone that made the experience so memorable. I would name everybody but I think I wrote too much already. I

hope to see you again in the future and wish you and the Penguins all the best going forward.

Dr. Joseph Maroon, Steelers Neurosurgeon

First, can you tell readers about your work with ImPACT and as the Steelers team neurosurgeon – what specifically does your job entail – and how you got involved in working with the Steelers organization?

I became involved with the Steelers at the request of Coach Chuck Noll over 25 years ago.

Several of the players had concussions at the time and because of my interest in the management of head injuries, particularly those related to sports, I was asked to become the team consultant in neurosurgery.

In 1990 I told Coach Noll that his starting quarterback could not play against the Dallas Cowboys the following week. He asked, “Why?”. I stated because he had a concussion and the guidelines specifically state a minimum of 2-3 weeks without contact—regardless of symptoms.

Continue reading “Dr. Joseph Maroon, Steelers Neurosurgeon”

Dick Hoak, Steelers Running Back 1961-1970, Steelers Coach 1972-2007

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me tonight Dick. First, Can you let readers know what you’re doing with yourself these days?

Not too much. Since I retired, I’m playing more golf -maybe one or two times a week, and fly-fishing when I can when the weather holds out. I’m also working on the yard and spending time with my seven grandkids.

I travel one to two times a year with my wife as well.

I also like to take in a couple Penn State games a year – my daughter and her friends tailgate there so I like to join them when I can. I didn’t get to take in many Penn State games when I was coaching….

Continue reading “Dick Hoak, Steelers Running Back 1961-1970, Steelers Coach 1972-2007”

Tim Gleason

Tim Gleason, Author, From Black to Gold (September 1, 2011):

First, can you tell readers about yourself and how you came to write the book From Black to Gold?

I am a die-hard fan from the early 1960s. I remember Bid Daddy Lipscomb and the heartbreaking 1963 season. I always wanted to write a book about a fan’s perspective of the Steelers.

That’s what makes this book rather unique. If you’ve ever worn a Jersey, screamed at the television or tailgated on the North Shore, this book is for you. Fans will relate to this book Because it was written by one of them.

What surprised you most about the organization as you researched and wrote the book?

Surprise is probably not a fair word, but I was struck by how warm the Rooney family and organization is.

I met Dan a couple times and talked to me as if I were someone important. His son, Art II, also understands the importance of the connection between the team and Steeler Nation. I met him walking around the stadium before a game. You just don’t see that everywhere, or maybe anywhere.

And Art Jr., he actually called me on the phone a couple times and agreed to write the forward for the book. I took my daughter to meet him for lunch one day. It’s incredible. The Rooneys are just like the Chief. He taught everyone to be humble and grounded, and they are.

Every fan has a positive and negative perceptions of their teams. What about your research helped dispel any of those perceptions?

Steeler Nation has very high expectations. The fans don’t accept anything short of winning Super Bowls and that disheartens me a bit. It’s not about the end, but about the journey.

Sure, we all want to hoist the Lombardi at the end, but to me the joy is the Draft, the preseason banter, the tailgating and most importantly, the hope. I talk about this perspective in the book.

I urge fans to enjoy the ride.

How has the team changed organizationally over the years in its approach to team-building and it’s relationship with fans?

The team changed dramatically in 1969 and not ironically, my book is titled from Black to Gold, with 1969 being the watershed.

Up until then the Chief hired his cronies and locals to coach the team and we were never successful. In 1969, Dan took over and hired Chuck Noll. The Steelers have had only two coaches since then. Prior to 1969, the Steelers traded Draft picks like they were bubble gum cards. Since then, the team has relied on the single focus of building teams through the Draft.

They trust their Draft, give players a fair chance and then pay them well. Stability is the cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s success. There are many who read this who weren’t around when mankind first walked on the moon, and to think that since that day, the Steelers have hired only two head coaches and the second one is still young and hopefully will be around for a while. That’s pretty amazing.

What changed in the late 60’s and early 70’s to turn the team from sad sack to Super Bowl champions?

The undercurrent was the efforts of Art Rooney Jr. and the scouting department.

The Steelers hired Bill Nunn in the late 60s. He was the first African American executive hired in the NFL. Nunn was wired into all the Black southern colleges, so the Steelers were way ahead of the game in drafting talented players from relatively obscure colleges. Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, John Stallworth, Mel Blount, on and on, came from small Black colleges.

The trilogy was fascinating. While three rivers were converging at Point Park in Pittsburgh, another threesome converged in the front offices of the Steelers: Dan Rooney began running the team, Chuck Noll began coaching it and Art Rooney Jr. and his staff put together the best six years of drafting in NFL history.

What memories of the team, as a fan, most affected you?

All the losing in the 1960s. I fell in love with the team unconditionally. It made me appreciate the 1970s so much more.

I’ll bet the same could be said for younger fans who fell in love with the team in the 1980s. It made the 90s and 2000s that much sweeter. Anyone can love a winner, but show me the fan who can name the head coach of the team before Chuck Noll and I’ll show you the best fan in the world!

What do you think the Chief would say about today’s NFL and Steelers?

I don’t think the Chief would be comfortable today.

The NFL is a world of seclusion and lawyers and big money. The Chief was more of a regular people guy. He used to walk around with tickets giving them away to people on the streets. He would collect those little whiskey bottles on airplanes and give them to the grounds crew. He worried about whether the mailman had tickets to playoff games. The Chief went to racetracks all the time. Owners can’t do that
now.

I think the Chief would choose to live in the era that he did, though he would be very proud of his sons and grandson. Art II can’t be his grandfather. The world has changed too much, but he still understands the values that the Chief instilled in him. I talk about this a lot in the book, again, written by a fan for fans.

Where can readers buy your book?

Fromblacktogold.com

Any new books on the horizon?

No, this was a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me, a “bucket-list” goal of mine. I’ve been blessed to have so many great reviews. I think I’ll quit while I’m ahead

Any last thoughts for readers?

Enjoy the journey of being a fan. Never let the disappointment of not winning the Super Bowl supersede the joy of following and loving the team.

Ralph Cindrich

First, can you walk readers through how and why you became an agent and offer advice for any who would wish to do the same?

Sports led me into wrestling and football-strong arms, strong back, weak mind. With that agent thing, I took a wrong turn early on and kept on going.

Are you still involved in any way with the school you played college football at – the University of Pittsburgh? What do you think of the state of their program and the new head coach?

I thought the handling of the firing of Dave Wannstedt-a former teammate and friend—was an embarrassment and disaster. I met the new coach briefly at the Dapper Dan Banquet and he seemed like a first class guy.

Continue reading “Ralph Cindrich”

George Von Benko

George Von Benko, Witer/Author (August 25, 2011):

First , can you tell readers about yourself – how you got started in broadcasting/sports Journalism and where listeners can find your work now?

I started in radio at the age of 15 on WPQR radio in Uniontown, PA. Just turned 59 – so I’ve been around awhile. Various stops along the way in Morgantown, WV at WTAE during the heyday of sports talk radio.

It was Myron Cope, Stan Savran and then me at night. Play-by-play for football and basketball for the University of Cincinnati and color for Duquesne basketball up until last season. I still do a sports talk show on Saturday’s from 10:15 am to 12 noon on WMBS Radio 590 AM in Uniontown.

I do a lot of freelance writing for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Sports Report and do a weekly column called Memory Lane every Tuesday in the Uniontown Herald Standard. I also run the Pirates website for
the Scout network and you can find that at pirates.scout.com.

You’ve covered the Western Pennsylvania sports scene for a number of years, including color commentary for Duquesne basketball. What have been some of your most memorable experiences you’ve had doing so?

Covering all of the Steelers Super Bowl appearances was a big thrill and the Penguins first Stanley Cup in 1991 really sticks out. Having covered the team from its first season in 1967 – I never thought I would see that.

Who were some of the athletes you covered that left the biggest impressions with you – and why?

The super Steelers of the 1970’s were great to cover, I really enjoyed working with those teams, just a great bunch of guys. Maybe the most memorable interview that I did was with Muhammad Ali at his training camp at Deer Lakes.

You’ve covered many teams across a number of sports. What sport/team have you enjoyed covering most, and why?

Doing play-by-play for the 1999-2000 Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team. They were number one most of the season until Kenyon Martin broke his leg in a meaningless Conference USA tournament game. It still hurts because I believe they would have won the national championship had that not occurred.

You’ve come out with a new book – “Memory Lane”. Can you tell readers about the book and what inspired you to write it?

Memory Lane is a compilation of some of my favorite Memory Lane columns about athletes from western Pennsylvania and in particular the area where I grew up in Uniontown. When I was unexpectedly let go by Duquesne before last basketball season my father said now you have time to do the book and I did it. Dad who passed away on June 26 was the driving force behind me doing the book.

What are some of the things that surprised you most as you researched the book – and why?

Since I had written the articles previously there were no real surprises, putting the book together and going through that process for the first time was an eye opener.

The book focuses much on some of the more under-appreciated athletes in Western PA. Who were some of the athletes that deserved more accolades than they received – and why in your opinion didn’t they get that attention?

The first black All American quarterback was Sandy Stephens and his disappointment at not being given an opportunity to try to play quarterback in the NFL still sticks with me. He passed away in 2000 and I think it is great that he was just elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, I just wish that honor had happened when he was still alive. T

he accomplishments of some of the black athletes illustrates what trail blazers they were. There are other forgotten gems like basketball player Sam Sims who put up some amazing point totals in the 1950’s and Dick Washington the first black athlete to score a touchdown in Notre Dame football history.

How can readers purchase the book?

You can purchase the book at all Bradley’s Book Outlets, there are eight of them in Western Pennsylvania. Online the best place to get it is this link to buy the book on the front page of the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame website on the right hand side of the page.

//www.fayettecountysportshalloffame.com/

Taking a step back and looking at the Western PA sports “scene” today versus years ago, how has the Western PA sports landscape changed over the years and what trends have you noticed

The biggest thing for me is the emergence of the hockey franchise. Years ago I couldn’t get any of my friends to go to a hockey game and when I covered a game it was a sparse press box. Now hockey is booming with the fans and the media coverage is amazing. The Steelers remain a constant, but I was a huge baseball fan growing up and the losing has been tough to take – I’m hopeful that the Pirates are on
the right track.

On sports journalism as a whole – how do you think the coverage of sports has changed over the years – and is it for the better now?

I have worked on both sides as a publicity director for the old Eastern Eight basketball conference and as a journalist and it is much more adversarial and contentious than it used to be. Also as far as the broadcasting business experience was the biggest factor in gaining employment. That has changed drastically and in a lot of cases experience can be a detriment – they don’t want to pay for experience these days.

Any predictions for Duquesne basketball this season?

I remain in contact with Coach Everhart and I am hoping he can continue to move the program forward. T.J. McConnell should continue to improve, but they will be hard pressed to replace Damian Saunders and Bill Clark.

Any last comments/thoughts for readers?

Just enjoy the sports scene and be thankful that we have been blessed with some tremendous athletes over the years and we are still lucky to be able to watch some of the talent that wear the uniform of the various Pittsburgh teams

Dennis “Dirt” Winston, Steelers Linebacker, 1977-1981, 1985-1986

It’s 9:00 at night and Dennis is still in his office preparing for the season as the coach of the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff……

First, can you tell readers how you got started in coaching and what you love most about the job?

To be honest with you, two coaches and friends of mine got me involved at Grove City College. Chris Smith had me come over and work with their linebackers. It shot off from there.

I went to Slippery Rock With George Mihalek after that.

I love changing the lives of these young men. Being a father figure and sometimes a friend to them.

I’m about at the end of my coaching career now – I’ve been coaching for 25 years and coached at all levels – from SEC at Arkansas, the Canadian Football League, Division I, II and II – from Grambling to Arkansas Pine Bluff where I am now.

I even coached high school in Texas – one of the states for high school football in the country (ok, I can’t forget Pennsylvania too).

Continue reading “Dennis “Dirt” Winston, Steelers Linebacker, 1977-1981, 1985-1986″

Brian Blankenship, Steelers offensive Lineman, 1987-1991

First, can you let readers know what you are doing now in your post-football playing days?

It’s been twenty years since I last stepped onto a football field.

Since 1996, I have worked with Greer Limestone Company in Morgantown, WV. Greer Limestone is a family owned company that has been in business for over 90 years. We produce aggregates for the construction industry, manufacture asphalt for roads and hydrated lime for the energy industries.

We ship limestone to Pittsburgh by barge from Morgantown to companies such as Trumbull, Lindy Paving, Neville Terminal Services, Lane Construction, Frank Bryan Concrete, Neville Aggregates and West Penn Aggregates.

Continue reading “Brian Blankenship, Steelers offensive Lineman, 1987-1991”