Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you let me know how you got into coaching?

I always liked to be a man of the people, so to speak. I wanted to help the younger generation but didn’t know I’d end up doing so as a coach. I followed up playing with an NFLPA coaching internship and it went from there.

I spent a year playing for Saskatchewan in Canada after Pittsburgh, but after my third shoulder surgery I thought that was enough. I joined Frostburg State as an intern and am now at the University of Richmond. I enjoy being able to impact guys on the field, but also off the field with life skills as well.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Outside Linebacker Chris Ellis, 2010-2011”

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

I’m working at the University of Miami now in their athletic department working on players development. I also have a shoe apparel company – Carella – where we create our own shoes. We have our own soles and silhouettes and create luxury shoes without the luxury prices. They are elegant but available for the average consumer.

It’s been fun. I’ve always been a creative person – I’ve enjoyed art, fashion, photography – so it’s cool to pursue during my journey now that I’m down playing.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety John Battle IV, 2020”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your football days?

I’ve been working at a private correctional facility around Macon, Georgia – that’s where I’m originally from. Once I retired I moved back to Macon after my short stint with the Steelers. I worked originally with the parks and recreation department here – I did that for 18 years as a community center recreation director and am now doing the same thing really for the correctional institution.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Kelvin Middleton 1986-1987”

First off, what are you up to now? What’s next?

We’ll see. I don’t know what’s next. I know I’m not done coaching. No one knows what’s next so we’ll see. But I know I’m not done.

What made you decide to get into coaching?

My love of the game. When I played I thought like a coach – I approached things like a coach. I just didn’t know anything about coaching. I was detailed and understood what we were trying to do and what the other teams were trying to do as a player.

It all started with B.A. {Bruce Arians}. He got me started. I didn’t think about it before then – I didn’t understand what coaching was about. B.A. saw it in me first and got me started in Arizona.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Quarterback Byron Leftwich, 2008, 2010-2012”

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

After Pittsburgh I had a brief time with the Packers. At the point when the Steelers released me I had a conversation with Bill Cowher. I wanted to explore coaching maybe at the college ranks. I wanted to stay close to the sport and looked into that. I went back to my school – the University of Connecticut – and talked to the Athletic Director and Head Coach then. After those conversations, though, I realized that while I loved to play the game I wouldn’t want to be a coach.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Mark Didio, 1992”

First, can you tell me what you did after you retired from the NFL?

Once I was out of football, I hung around for 10 years – I got a job in ’75 with Wilson Sporting Goods, in sales. I then moved to their headquarters in Chicago to work on product development on certain lines of equipment.

Then I got a job in their international division covering distribution in the Asia-Pacific region. I traveled to Asia six or seven times a year to visit the distributors and make sure they had the right inventory. I did that for 10 to 11 years – I always made sure I took extra time off to see the country. I didn’t want to just do business and leave – I really enjoyed being able to carve out time and see things.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive/Offensive Lineman Steve Smith, 1966”

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

I work now at Yavapai Junior College in their foundation – it’s a separate entity there. I do their fundraising for scholarships for student athletes. I was poking for a career change and just stumbled on to it really. But I love my role here – I’m a one man operation so I can create and design my own thing.

Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult?

It was definitely hard. You go from a structured environment like the NFL for so long then you’re cut loose and left to your own devices. I had some money saved up so I could take my time find something without struggling. It took some time but I found something now that I really like.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Shaun McDonald, 2009”