Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you tell me what you’ve been doing with yourself since you retired from the NFL?

I started a company called Level Up  – we do training, apparel and soon nutrition help for athletes. We’ll start with sports drinks soon – all our own stuff. I retired in 2013 and took an opportunity through the NFL Entrepreneur Program – in the Harvard Business School’s Entrepreneur program.

Was the post-NFL transition difficult – how did you work through it?

The transition was very tough. There’s nowhere else like the NFL – nothing with the perks the NFL offers. Two-to-three free meals a day. That may be the biggest thing I miss!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Brandon Johnson, 2012”

First, can you tell us how you got into coaching and what you enjoy most about it?

Well, I got started right after I was released by the Steelers. I had a feeling I was going to be released – I was on IR and knew it could happen. When I was released I tried to figure out what to do next. I graduated with a business degree but I didn’t want to go into business – I wanted to stick with what I loved to do – football.

I decided to stay close to the game. I loved the idea of coaching and wanted to have an impact on people’s lives like many coaches impacted me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Charlie Dickey, 1987”

What have you been up to in your post-NFL playing days and how did you get started?

When I was in Pittsburgh, I knew even then I wanted to get into broadcasting and acting.  I was a Journalism major at Kentucky and always had an interest in doing both.

I got season tickets to the ballet when I was in Pittsburgh and took dance classes at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.. I danced in college – I was the University of Kentucky’s first male dancer. I was in their dance ensemble and danced jazz, ballet and modern dance.

When I went to Atlanta I co-hosted a football show while I played, and then when I retired I worked locally covering Falcons games as a sideline reporter. Then one day I got a mind-blowing call out of nowhere – they wanted me to work as a sideline reporter for John Madden and Pat Summerall. I got to spend time on the road with those two.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback D.J. Johnson, 1989-1993”

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

Not much – working for Fedex now. I used to have two jobs – working for Fedex and an airline company. Now just working for Fedex. Heck, I’m shocked you were able to find me!

Was that post-NFL transition difficult for you?

It wasn’t really that hard, no. There was just no easy work for me to find after I left football. It was not my choice to leave football. I just had a bad agent that didn’t help me. When the Steelers released me I couldn’t even find him – he didn’t really help me at all. I should have fired him but I just didn’t know how it all really worked.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Darrell Nelson, 1984-1985”

WR Justin Brown: “AB and Sanders too. Just watching how everyone prepared was a huge help. They were all open and welcoming”

DB Walter McFadden: “Going up against AB and Emmanuel Sanders and working with them to get better. They were never too big to show you stuff and work with you.”

Scottie Montgomery: “The ability at the end to pit Antonio and Emmanuel against each other – to see their competitive natures was great to see. We had Hines and Mike Wallace there – we knew the makeup of the team. We lost Santonio and wanted guys we could build on.”

WR Markus Wheaton: “The wide receivers were a close knit group. AB, Sanders, and Cotchery – and myself and Justin Brown – we all talked in and out of meetings. On the football part, I latched on to Jerricho Cotchery. He was a veteran guy – he taught me the ropes. I’d watch him and AB and Sanders a lot.”

Trainer David Robinson: “A lot don’t know it but Emmanuel has a great work ethic. In the offseason he works out two-to-three times a day. He excels a lot in short areas with his quickness. He improved that part of his game and also excels on tracking deep balls. He and I watch a lot of film.”

WR Wes Lyons: “I thought Antonio Brown and Emanuel Sanders were a big help throughout camp my first year. We would study the playbook together every night when we went back to our rooms after practice. “

OL Doug Legursky: “When I was on the practice squad I was always the one who knew what to do. I was never the biggest or strongest guy. In fact I was the smallest lineman I think for a while.  But I was strong in the weight room and always tried to outwork and outsmart guys.

I remember one time in practice in my second season, after spending my first year on the practice squad. It was right before Spring ball. B.A. (Bruce Arians) asked me in front of the whole team where I was a week ago last year, and I told him I had been released – I wasn’t on the team. He said, “Now look at you. You’re probably going to get a hat on Sundays.” That was a big moment. It made a big difference. It showed everybody I made it – I was a nobody a year before that. I went from the practice squad to getting a hat on Sundays. Even guys on the 53 man roster, not all of them get to play!”

Continue reading “Steelers Players Talk About Their Time on the Practice Squad:”

First can you tell me how you got into your firefighting career – how you got started and why?

I’m the captain from my department here in L.A. – I’ve been here now for 15 years and have been moving my way up the ranks. I’m the captain for Station 22 currently.

I got involved starting in Canada when I played there in Calgary. Football became political – I started not to like it – it became more of a business. I went to Canada to work my way back into the NFL, but I broke my ankle. I started brainstorming on what I wanted to do next. I explored my options and thought a lot about what’s next in life.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Kamil Loud, 2000”