Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, what career did you get involved with after your time in the NFL and why did you get  involved in that line of work?

I started off in the auto sales industry, due to the knowledge I gathered from having an auto dealer license in Louisiana. After achieving both finance and sales management positions, my health continued declining because of my past college football and NFL careers. I then made a transition to disaster residential and commercial inspections. This knowledge was passed on to me from my father who was a master carpenter who developed subdivisions in the surrounding Baton Rouge metroplex for 35 years. My last job was with the federal government (SBA) in Fort Worth Texas. I worked directly with home owners and contractors preventing projects from over running the initial project cost.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Victor Jones, 1993-1994”

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

Currently, I’m in education. I was briefly doing some coaching, but life happens. I got married and took some time away from coaching to establish a family life. Then I had a daughter in 2015 so I took more time to be a dad, then never looked back after that.

I do miss it, but I wanted to prioritize my life, and the time you have to invest in coaching, even at the high school level – it just took too much time away from my family. That was my stance anyway.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Jimond Pugh, 2003”

First, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?

I have some tough bosses – my kids sometimes let me golf!

I thought taking over my father’s funeral home was the last thing I’d do. My father tried to get me involved since I was six years old – he’d have me go down with him to Lima, Ohio to pick up hearses – that’s where they were at. But as soon as I discovered sports I did that year-round – football, basketball and track in high school and in the Summer I was in a basketball league. I did everything I could to get involved in sports and not get in the family business!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Tom Graves, 1979”

First off, how are you preparing for the the upcoming camp?

I have a defensive backs dude I’ve been working with for some time now. I am also working with another coach – Travelle Gaines. He’s helping to keep me right with my mobility and agility and quick burst. I wanted to come into camp in tip-top shape.

One thing I realized right away is that the weather in Latrobe is very different than it is here in Southern California! I just want to prepare my body to be in the best shape I can be!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Chris Steele”

First, how has the offseason been going for you and how are you preparing for camp?

It’s going good. After I left Pittsburgh I went back home for a few days then drove to Tampa to train there at The House Of Athlete – with Yo Murphy there. I’m getting some good training in and am excited for reporting day!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Tyler Snead”

First, can you tell us how you’re preparing in the offseason for camp?

Really, right now I’m studying the playbook and making sure I’m confident and acclimated with the offense. I wake up early every morning to stay on the training camp schedule then go out in the afternoon to work when it’s hot, to make sure I’m acclimated to the heat.

Are you working with a trainer or anyone else?

No – I think it’s key to work on your own – to have that self-discipline of getting that work in

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Mataeo Durant”

First, can you tell me a bit about what you’re doing with yourself now – your work with students and your foundation?

Well, right now I’m the Dean at a local high school here in Saginaw, Michigan. I started here a couple of years ago.

My foundation was started by me and my wife because of our personal experiences we had. We lost four children due to miscarriages and two due to ectopic pregnancies. We’ve dealt with that over the past four years. We did have one successful pregnancy – we have a daughter who is five years old.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Ronald Stanley, 2005-2007”

First off, why sign with the Steelers last season – and what did they tell you when they signed you?

I was with the Chargers for one-and-a-half years and learned so much there from the coaches and players. I was seven-to-eight weeks out of the league when the Steelers’ front office  called. I had a workout for the Packers before that. I thought the Steelers wanted me to come in for a workout first, but my agent said “No.” They wanted to sign me outright.

I’ll be honest, I’ve been blown away ever since. When I signed there one guy helped me right away – we had related journeys. John Leglue asked me if I needed help and we got to know each other. He’s a genuine guy that helped me.

I really mean this. Every team does things their own way – they do things differently. But there are so many great people in this organization – Kevin and Tomlin and now a new GM in Omar. They are all first class people and know how to treat players even though I’m not a quarterback or first round pick.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Nate Gilliam”