Welcome to Steelers Takeaways! – Page 40 – More than 1,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff, media and more with those that played in the 50’s through today’s current roster.

Exclusive with Maulers Linebacker Kyahva Tezino

First off, what brought you to the USFL?

Well, when I came out of college from San Diego State as a free agent, I signed with the Patriots for guaranteed money – me and my agent thought it would be a good place to go. I thought I’d make the practice squad at least but with Covid, it was just hard to handle that year. It was all virtual and that was new to me and to them. It was tough – when it came to the day to report to camp I was cut the day before I reported. I had no chance to show what I could do.

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Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Darin Jordan, 1988

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

Well, after the Super Bowl in ’94, I decided to walk away from the game. I decided to raise my kids while my wife did her residency in pediatric oncology. My kids are now in college and I’m back to working part-time as an NFL uniform inspector on gamedays. I’m also doing some auctioneering and fundraising in Florida. And I’m still working out and staying fit.

That’s the big picture in the sky right now.

Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult for you?

I think it was easier only because of my wife’s path to becoming a physician – we had a clear picture of her path – so my taking care of the kids was the right thing to do. If we didn’t have that path it would have been more difficult. I didn’t have a clear vision of my plan either after football so it worked out well for us.

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Exclusive with Maulers Outside Linebacker Tyson Graham Jr

First, can you let me know how you got included in the USFL draft and what you’re hoping to achieve this season?

A former coach of mine told me about it – and then my agent told me as well. I read up on it and I felt like it was a good way to get back to continuing my career. I have a lot left in the tank – so I applied and got a contract from them.

Were you surprised to get drafted by the Maulers?

I landed on the team that my old coach from the Alliance Football League coached for – Coach Horton. So I feel like it was a connection thing – that helped. I feel like I had my best years playing for Coach Horton so it was a bit surprising but not very.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Walter McFadden, 2012

First, can you let me know what you’re been up to since your playing days – and how difficult was the post-NFL adjustment for you?

I’m here in Houston working for Coca Cola as their Sales Manager. Learning what to do next after football was difficult at first. I knew the life skills and strengths that I had from playing football would help me afterwards, but I had to put it all together. I didn’t have those business skills.

I built my resume. The toughest part was that when you’re in the NFL you don’t get much of an opportunity to get those business skills. There aren’t any job fairs. It’s great you were an NFL player but even though I knew I had some of those skills they looked for in interviews I didn’t have the experience behind them.

But the NFLPA helped me out. I went through their programs and they put me through some work coops and helped me with the skills and experience I needed.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Walter McFadden, 2012”

Exclusive with Maulers Offensive Tackle Chidi Valentine-Okeke

First off, how did you get involved in USFL draft?

My agent told me about it – last year I was playing for Tampa Bay but I got injured in the preseason – an ankle sprain and it took me 10 weeks to recover. By December I was good to go but at that time I didn’t hear from any NFL teams.

My agent told me then that the USFL may be a good opportunity for me. I said I was down to showcase what I have to offer, and it happened! The Maulers drafted me and I’m so excited. I’m ready to show them what I’m made of!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Maulers Offensive Tackle Chidi Valentine-Okeke”

Steelers Players, Coaches & Scouts Reflect on the Combine

WR Coach Scottie Montgomery: “I saw Antonio Brown at the combine – followed him some before – watched his tape. I saw his game coming together. When we brought him in he told me he would work harder than anyone and be the best player in the NFL. So at the combine, he just smiled at me and said “I’m ready.” I didn’t even say a word to him. When we drafted him, Mike and Bruce were on me whenever he made an error. They would tell me it was my fault – they wanted to put us together to make sure he did well. We believed in each other.”

CB Dwayne Woodruff: “I wasn’t even invited to the combine. My roommate, Nathan Poole, was the only guy that was expected to be drafted from Louisville. He would get calls from teams asking him to work out with them and I went with him. That’s how scouts saw me.”

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Excusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Charles Davis, 1974

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

Initially, I went into banking after football. It was a nice thing to start with. Then I got into marketing, and after that I got into the import-export business, bringing in Mercedes, Porsches – German cars. What we called grey market cars – ones modified to pass the EPA and DOT standards. Then we sold that off. I went into the insurance business afterwards but got bored with that.

I just tried to live my best life – I tried different things. It wasn’t an either-or thing. I just wanted to have fun. I had a passion to help people – I had a teacher certification so helped with kids and adults too.

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Exclusive with Maulers Tight End Matt Seybert

First, can you tell me more about the process that got you into the USFL draft?

There were rumors about the USFL for a long time. When we got the application link sent to us it asked for us to put in film of our play, height, weight and links to show our game. I uploaded my Spring League film, Michigan State film and film of my time with the Chargers.

I got calls from a number of coaches and scouts leading up to the draft and am just so excited and pumped to play real football again.

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Exclusive with Actor and Pittsburgh Native Abhi Sinha

First, have you been able to breathe since the past season of football?

Ha yeah! I feel like I can finally catch my breath. I think I had four heart attacks during the last game. I’m just really proud of the team. The person I am – my work ethic and how I go about my business and acting – a lot of it is about drive and that blue collar work ethic – not giving up until the end. I learned a lot of that watching the Steelers.

That work ethic is translatable not just in acting and entertainment – it translates across any work or passion. They were written off when they were 1-3 and were able to come back and sneak into the playoffs. That’s that work ethic and drive.

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Exclusive with Maulers Center Nico Falah

First, what made you decide to sign sup for the USFL draft?

I was with the Raiders last season but I wasn’t re-signed. I thought this would be another avenue for me to play and get some film, rather than just be a bubble player.

I tore my achilles in 2019 and it’s been hard to have any stability on teams after that. I just hopeful this opportunity will help me know. I feel great now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Maulers Center Nico Falah”