Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, can you tell me a bit about the Skyline Mansion and how you got involved with it?

Oh man. I’m kind of doing an historical lesson with the Mansion. It was in 1920 – the house was owned by one of the original owners and political figures in Tulsa then. He and the Mansion are significant because a lot of the Tulsa racial riots and Tulsa Race Massacre were initiated by the owner. He was one of the head people who enforced the violence on the people of Greenwood and the Black community there. It was the home of the Ku Klux Klan.

Now, the fact it’s owned by a Black man is something special. I’m able to spread the history of what happened here to the people of Tulsa. To change the narrative and let everyone know the history here. And to change what the future will be like. It’s big in that aspect.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Felix Jones, 2013”

First off, what excites you about Pittsburgh – and why did they tell you they wanted you?

The tradition first of all. That’s the thing I’m most excited about. Being on a winning team is the best thing in the NFL – I’ve had former teammates tell me that and Pittsburgh is a first class, winning team. I’m excited for the chance to win a Super Bowl here.

I know you said you thought Pittsburgh was going to draft you – what made you think that and did they talk to you about that when they signed you?

The Steelers told me they loved me coming out of the draft when they signed me. I had a couple of meetings with the GM at my pro day and at the combine – and they brought me in for a top-30 visit. They played against me as well so knew what I was capable of. So they told me they were excited to have me here.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Miles Boykin”

First, tell me a bit about what you did after the NFL and how the adjustment was for you after football?

I owned my own business for a while – a landscaping business. It was something I was ready for after football. I just knew I could do my own thing and run my own business.

You were drafted by Baltimore in round one in 1964 but ended up in Pittsburgh – how did that happen and what were your thoughts on playing in Pittsburgh?

I was traded for Lou Michaels – I think Baltimore needed a kicker and Michaels could kick and play defense. I didn’t care much really. I just wanted to play football. It didn’t make much of a difference to me where I played.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Marv Woodson, 1964-1969”

First, can you let me know why you get signed with the Steelers in ’98?

I was with Carolina and we played the Steelers in our last preseason game. I was cut as part of their last cuts and was on the waiver wire maybe for one hour when the Steelers picked me up. One day the Steelers were the enemy and the next day I was a Steeler!

How hard was the adjustment to the Steelers for you?

Coming in to camp late, you don’t know anyone’s names. Thank God everyone has numbers. I was a problem fix for them. I had a 12-year career and played for seven teams, so I was used to changes of venue. I had to hit the ground running with a new team.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Long Snapper Mark Rodenhauser, 1998”

First – why choose the Steelers to sign with in free agency last year?

It was just a great opportunity. When they called they wanted me to come in and compete for a role on defense and on special teams. I just couldn’t pass that up and got there and competed every day.

Did you know they had interest – did the active game versus the Steelers rookie season help that interest?

The league is funny. Coaches and teams don’t talk about who they watch and look at. But they are always looking at guys every week. So even if they didn’t actively show interest it doesn’t mean they weren’t watching with an interest.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Outside Linebacker Derrek Tuszka”

First, what drove the return back to Pittsburgh?

We got the call from Coach Tomlin – my agent and me – he said he wanted me back. I was a free agent at the time – the Titans released me in early May, so it was perfect timing.

Coach Tomlin asked if I was in shape and ready to go and if I wanted to still play football, and I said “Yeah!”

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Outside Linebacker Tuzar Skipper”

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

Now I’m doing physical therapy-working with and training kids and adults.

I also have been coaching for now, wow, over 35 years or so. Mostly youth sports – football and baseball – lots of high school coaching. I went back to my junior college – Long Beach – and coached there for a couple of years but then had kids and stepped away for a bit before I couldn’t take it any more and went back into it.

But other than that just enjoying life and being a father. My kids are still young so I’m enjoying that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Return Specialist/Defensive Back Erroll Tucker, 1986”

First off, how did you get into scouting?

I started in January of ’79. A BLESTO guy that coached me at Villanova later hired me as a coach at Austin Peay. When he went to BLESTO he asked me to come on and so I was there for three and a half years. I met people then and used that to help start and navigate my career from there.

It’s not all glamour – a lot of travel and roadwork. What’s been the hardest  part of the business?

It’s not the travel. The hardest part is getting all the reports done and in on time. When I was at BLESTO it was all handwritten on those carbon copy sheets. You kept one sheet and sent the other two to the office and coaches. You had to write hard enough to make sure it went through all three copies and make sure not to smudge those!

Continue reading “Exclusive: Rick Reiprish, Steelers Senior Scout, 2015-2022”