Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since your time playing football?

The last few years we’ve had a lot of changes. It’s been a dynamic time. The ripple effect of 9/11 put my family’s business out of business. After that I went into a leadership role in commercial construction then got a job at a private Christian school, where I got to work on the intersection of leadership, athletics and ministry. I loved it, but after ffour years we realized that it just wasn’t a good fit. The parents wanted me to engineer success for their kids versus training them for success. That just wasn’t for me.

Since then I started my own business as a vendor cost auditor. And I love that – I enjoy being in business for myself.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Kirk McJunkin, 1984”

First, can you let me know what was behind the decision to sign with the Steelers?

With a new head coach in Carolina I just felt like it was time to go to a new spot and get a fresh start.

My agent told me the Steelers reached out. With my size and length, I felt like it would be a good fit in Pittsburgh. Mike Tomlin loves those kinds of defensive backs. I felt like it would be a good spot for me – I was all for it.

My mentor is Mike Hawkins – he played for Coach Tomlin in Minnesota and said I’d love playing for him. That he’s a great coach.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Back Madre Harper”

First off, you’ve been coaching now for 35-plus years – how did you get started in coaching?

After I was done with college ball  I knew the NFL was going to be a long shot. I tore my ACL in my last game my Senior season – before that I thought I may have a chance to make it as a late-round pick.

I always was passionate about coaching since I was a kid. Some kids grow up wanting to be firemen or policemen – I wanted to be a coach.

Why at such an early age was that something you wanted to do?

There was just something about putting together a group of people all going in one direction. Playing is thrilling I know but leading people always felt more intriguing to me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Clancy Barone, 1987”

First off, what have you been up to since your time playing football?

I’m in medical device sales today – working for Telefax selling regional anesthesia and quick clot. I coached my kids a bit as well.

I got into medical device sales after football. When the Steelers let me go I played in the NFL Europe and Dallas and Cincinnati, but I got hurt in Cincinnati. After that I got a job after I met the CEO of a company at a charity event. The economy crashed though so I was let go – I was on the bottom of the totem pole then. I went to Chicago after that and was doing some personal training and going to paramedic school – I wanted to get a job with the fire department. Then I talked to some other former Iowa players and got into medical device sales through them.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Erik Jensen, 2005”

First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?

Well, I work for a company called Core & Main – we’re in the water and sewage business. We sell materials to city water and sewer departments.

Playing football was something I had done my whole life so the adjustment was difficult at first. As a player, that competitive nature is hard to get rid of. But.as a salesman, you get to feel some of that again. It’s win-win-win like football.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Tackle Glen Howe, 1985”

First, can you let fans know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

I launched OneVoice which is a platform for medical institutions of all sizes. It’s an efficiency software using artificial intelligence and voice recognition. I co-developed it with a company in Pittsburgh, actually in the early 2000’s. We worked on the technology together – it all starts with speech. We help doctors and medical staffs be more effective – enabling them to do voice activated medical records instead of point and click, which they hate to do. We also have tools for medical coding using speech, as well as data analytics for medical organizations looking to understand their patients more.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Brent Sexton 1975-1977”

First, what have you been up to since your NFL days?

Well, right now my partner – she and I are just trying to stay out of the rocking chair! I’m an historical nut about a lot of things and am proud of my three years in the NFL.

Getting there was a tough story. Just being able to play the league average of three years, then ending up as the best salesperson in Bear Stearns – that’s a book in the making! I sat on a number of boards including The National Football Foundation too.

You’re also speaking to the only guy you know that owns a soccer team in Mozambique! I took kids there that were shooting rhinos for money and created a 12-team league. I also have a four-team woman’s league. The kids benefit and the rhinos benefit. And I benefit from it too! Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Bob Simms, 1962”

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

I’m in the trucking business – doing that right now. I’ve been doing that since I was done playing – started that after my time with the Steelers. A buddy of mine who played for the Giants jumped into it and told me about it.

How was that post-NFL adjustment for you?

It was great for me. You have to find that peace within yourself after football and find things that make you happy. Some people feel like football is the one thing in life that made them happy but that wasn’t the case for me. It wasn’t my only love. Some throw all of their eggs in one basket and that wasn’t the case for me. That’s why the transition was easier for me after I retired.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Brandon Dixon, 2016-2017”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?

I’ve been working as a behavioral interventionalist at the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District in Carrollton Texas  – I’ve been here for over 19 years now.

After Pittsburgh I worked for 15 years as a juvenile probation officer in Fort Worth and owned a couple of business. I’ve always worked with children and families.

What inspired you to work with children?

I was raised in a family of servant leaders. My father was a pastor – he was a mover and a shaker in his small town for civil rights issues. I grew up in that vein.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Xavier Warren, 1987”

First, what have you been up to since your time with the Steelers?

Currently I’m an endodonist – a root canal specialist. I have practice here in Grand Rapids. I know it’s super fun – I’m sure people are shivering in their boots right now!

I’m married and have three kids – my oldest is five. So I’m in the thick of it now!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Tom Korte, 2009”