Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

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

So right now I’m working as a warehouse supervisor. I’m going to school though to get my nursing degree. It’s a family thing – my mother is an RN and my sister is a CSNA as well. We’re all taking classes together.

Was the post-football adjustment difficult?

I’d say that I was able to adjust perfectly fine to it. You have days when you watch games and think “I can still do that.” It stays in the back of your mind but injuries just caught up with me. As a running back you’re hit hard every play and get beat up.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back John Clay, 2011”

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

I’m a firefighter here in Longmont, Colorado. I’ve been doing that for 14 years now.

After football I didn’t know what to do next. I went back to Fort Collins and did some side construction work. One of the guys there suggested I would enjoy being a firefighter. I said now way – I thought I was too big. But he said no – I’d be fine. It took three years to get this position – it’s very competitive. Most of the time there is just one or two jobs available – especially in a small town like Longmont – and hundreds of applicants.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Morgan Pears, 2003”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL and how the post-NFL adjustment went for you?

Well, I’m retired now. I worked at the Port of Houston after I played football. It wasn’t too much of an adjustment. I knew it was coming – the transition was good.

Were you surprised to get drafted in 1971 and by the Steelers? How did you learn you were drafted?

I was surprised to get drafted at all – I was not expecting to get drafted by anyone really. I never believed I would be in that group to be drafted.

In school, I heard I got drafted – I think I got a letter from the Steelers saying they drafted me. Camp started a month later so I went up then – it was mini-camp – it lasted about three days. That’s when I went to Pittsburgh and got to know the other drafted guys and coaches.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Bert Askson, 1971-1972”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your last coaching job?

Well, I recently worked with a German national football team – it was an amateur team full of kids they imported from other countries. I got a call from a friend who asked for some help. The kids weren’t as talented as other kids but they loved to play and we had a lot of fun. Most spoke English pretty well. So I was doing that before I officially retired last February.

Now, I’m remodeling my house. Not doing that much in the way of football-related stuff. I’m spending time with my family and enjoying it. I have seven grandkids and three children. The three kids are working which is great – and we just moved out here to be closer to them all. It’s been great to be able to spend time with my family.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Coach Bob Valesente, 1990-1991”

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

I’m now in Atlanta – working for Georgia State University as an associate registrar. I never thought I’d be back in higher education  – I thought I’d become a coach or do something in sports. I look back at the support I had as an athlete in school – it was all laid out for us. That has helped me focus everyday on helping students now who need that support.

It’s rewarding helping kids graduate – many came here from different situations. I’ve been able to do this now for 17 years.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Darrick Owens, 1992”

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

I’ve done a couple of nine-to-five jobs – now I’m focused on investments and am looking to open an e-commerce store. I also do some speaking here and there for local schools – nothing official.

Was the post-NFL transition tough for you?

It was for me. I left with a sour taste in my mouth since my career didn’t go like I wanted it to. I would have liked one more shot to set the record straight.

It is challenging – definitely. From the standpoint of having had no solid plan B after the game. Overall, I missed the competition for a while.  But the sour taste was the biggest issue, to be honest with you.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Jamain Stephens, 1996-1998”

First, can you talk about what you’ve been doing with yourself since the NFL?

Right now I’m in the military civil service – for the United States Marine Corps I’ve been doing that since I retired in 2015. I became a DOD employee. I had my undergrad in economics and got my Masters in contract management – I liked the financial side of the Marine Corps. The Corps has a transition program that I took and two weeks after I applied for a job I got the call that I got the job. Just as I was getting ready to sunset my career I decided to get back to work. Why not! Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Ed Robinson, 1994”