Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First, what’s the plan for you moving forward? Are you looking to re-sign with Arizona or another team if not? Do you think/plan at all about life after football yet?

I’m always planning and working on life outside of football, but still feel like I have a lot of football to play.

You are a big supporter of Bread for the World, Feeding America, and World Vision and other causes- what about those causes appeal so strongly to you and how can people get involved and help?

I connected with all of those organizations because they aligned with my missions to end hunger, provide clean water access, and support education. I connected with Bread for the World and have been able to address these problems from the policy side. I’ve been able to meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill to advocate for summer lunch programs and successfully lobby for the Global Food Security Act. Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Kelvin Beachum, 2012-2015”

First, what’s the offseason plan for you?

Well, I’m here in Kentucky with my brother  – we’re here training together and hanging out, prepping for next year. We’ll have to see what happens with getting a contract from Pittsburgh. I felt good about the latter part of this season when I came back – I thought I kicked well. We’ll see – if it’s not Pittsburgh I’ll see if someone else wants to pick me up.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Punter Jordan Berry”

First, what is the plan for you heading into the offseason?

Well, I’m back in Utah and I’m just happy to be hanging out with my friends and family for a while. In a month or so I’ll head up to California and train – get my body in the best shape I can be in before I go back to Pittsburgh.

Why sign with the Steelers again?

I had a sour feeling in my mouth when I left last time due to the injury. I felt I was playing good football and had a good chance to stick around before I got hurt.  I felt I had some unfinished business. I loved Pittsburgh and knew I wanted to go back after I was better – I was hoping to get another chance.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End Dax Raymond”

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

Since I’ve been out of football, I’ve been a pastor – for 24 years now. After I got out of football I worked with youth for a while then got the calling of my life. I pushed it away for a while, then over a period of time I accepting the calling.

Was the post-NFL transition difficult?

It was easy for me. The things I had to do – I was brought up to know how to do those things – how to budget and adjust to things in life.

One thing I had to do was learn to push myself to do what I needed to do. To adjust to the praise of the people! Especially in Pittsburgh – the reputation the Steelers had there – acknowledging who you were as a player made everybody want to give you everything. The city just supported players and the team so much.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Anthony Corley, 1984”

First, what’s the offseason plan for you  – how are you handling the offseason?

My main goal is to focus on getting stronger for next season – that and working more on my technique.

Coach Tomlin – he told me to focus on my technique. He said I have all the tools in the toolbox. I just need to keep working on it and make sure I’m ready to go for next season. The biggest thing for me is to get stronger and to get my body fat percentage down. Just to put myself in a better position to compete next year.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman John Leglue”

First, tell me what drove your decision to retire this season?

Well, I have spent a lot of time in this business. It’s been a long journey. People told me I would know when it was time to retire and I just knew it was time this year.

What made you decide to take a job in 2004 with the Steelers as a coach in 2004 – and what were they looking for from you?

I worked with Dan Reeves in previous years in New York then in Atlanta. Dan was getting out of coaching and he and Coach Cowher were friends. He called Coach Cowher and recommended me, and Cowher hired me after that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Coach James Daniel, 2004-2020”

First, how do you feel the season went for you?

I think it was pretty successful in that we were able to bring some joy back to the city, and I was able to bond and be a part of the brotherhood with the guys in the locker room.

When the season started, it looked like nothing would happen. We all put blinders on to stay focused. Everybody stepped up and answered the call when needed, Unfortunately there is just one winner in the end. We were all disappointed losing to Cleveland – people lost jobs and people will leave in feee agency which is tough. But that’s part of the business.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Jayrone Elliott”

First, tell me what you’re doing with yourself now?

I’m retired now. I was running digital media at the University of Georgia for a while after Pittsburgh, but now I’m just relaxing and chilling here in Athens.

I know you worked with the Buffalo Bills before working with the Steelers. What made you decide to work for the Steelers – how did that come about?

I was working in Buffalo handling their video and scoreboard production. And like anything else, it’s a business and we have our own conferences. I met Jimmy Rooney and John Wodarek – the Steelers marketing guy – at one of those events. Jimmy was there selling a product he had at the time – we actually bought it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Rick Fairbend, Steelers Executive Producer of Broadcasting, 2001-2014”

First,  tell me how the exit interview went – did they give you ay sense on what they are looking for from you next season?

I think it went well. I’m just looking forward to finishing what I started this year.

Coach T. – he just told me to come back in two months and we’ll talk then about what I can do on offense and that sort of thing. Right now he just wanted me to take a breath and take my mind off football for a bit. To rest my mind.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver/Return Specialist Ray-Ray McCloud”

First, how surreal is it to have come so far and now be one game from a Super Bowl – especially being such a big part of the success of the team?

It’s a super-exciting feeling. This is where we expected to be and why I decided to sign here.

This was the expectation they had for us starting off. They were very upfront with me on my role. They have a young group of defensive backs that are playing very well. They told me they liked these guys but that they had few veterans defensive backs on the roster. So they signed me to the practice squad to allow me to grow with those guys and go from there.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Cornerback Ross Cockrell, 2015-2016”