Welcome to Steelers Takeaways! – Page 6 – 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: Yardbarker’s Aaron Becker on Steelers OTAs

First off- tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started covering the team?

I started off in Pittsburgh – got my B.A. in Broadcast Reporting from Point Park University and covered several sports teams for the University of Pittsburgh, then worked for the Steelers in their communications department as a reporter there.

After that I worked for the Kansas City Chiefs in ’21 and ’22 as a communications assistant before moving back to Pittsburgh to work for Yardbarker covering the AFC North – primarily covering the Steelers.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Defense Lineman Jordan Reffett – 2008-2009

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since football?

Now I’m back in Moses Lake, Wisconsin – my hometown. I have a cattle ranch and also do some real estate. I wear many hats. I have eight daughters so that of course takes up the lion’s share of my time! I’ve coached them in soccer and softball in high school.

It’s controlled chaos – I just go where I’m told. My lovely wife and I have been married for 19 years – we got married young. I just do what I’m told – she tells me what to do and where to go.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Fred McAfee, 1994-1998

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since you time splaying in the NFL?

I’m the Vice President for Player Engagement in New Orleans now. I’m helping to mentor young players – trying to lead them down the best path to be professionals. Players today have a lot of free time and money. I’m trying to help them to mange their time and money – we offer financial classes on how to manage money and budget. A lot of these players come from humble beginnings so we try to give them some experience managing money.

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Exclusive with Stephanie Anderson, Founder & President of the NFL Sisters in Service

First off, can you let us know how NFL Sisters in Service began and what you do?

We started Sisters in Service actually prior to 2015 – the wives and daughters of players started doing different service projects here in South Florida. We’ve worked to help families of missing children and with children who have been exploited. We’ve worked with the Trayvon Martin Foundation then because he was initially reported as missing.

We helped with a young lady in Baltimore who was kidnapped while visiting her dad – that’s how the Trayvon Martin family learned about us and reached out to us.

We decided to formally organize in 2015 and now are a 501c3.

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Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Ryan Anderson, 2022

First off, can you let me know what’s next for you – I know you just recently retired or are you still interested in playing if you get a call?

Well I finished playing a couple of years ago. Really, even before I was done playing I was done. My heart just wasn’t in it. I had a construction background growing up – I loved the process of building and creating.

When I was young I worked with my family – they did framing and I was the low man on the totem pole then. I was young but I loved it – that sense of accomplishment. Being able to finish projects – that sense of accomplishment.

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Exclusive with Dan Ferens, Chief Contract Negotiator, 1981-2000

First, can you let us know what you’ve been up to since your time in Pittsburgh?

It’s nice being retired! After Pittsburgh I worked at IMG handling financial planning strictly for football players – I was the VP there. It was fun for a while but I didn’t like it as much as being on the ownership side.

I was hired by the Houston Texans after that – I worked there until 2006, but my then-wife didn’t like Houston, so she and our kids moved back to Pittsburgh, where she was from. I continued to work for the Texans for a while, going back and forth to see my kids. But it was too much of a struggle – my kids were young and I missed being able to see them.

So, I came back to Pittsburgh in 2006. It was a difficult decision – I liked working with Charlie Casserly there and Dom Capers too. I enjoyed it there but I just had to go back.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Dan Ferens, Chief Contract Negotiator, 1981-2000”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Cole Manhart, 2016-2017

First off, I know you joined the military after your time in the NFL – what drove that decision for you and how did you manage that transition?

My last year in the NFL – my second year in Pittsburgh – I was going through camp, recovering from surgery, and just realized I was behind guys like Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro. I was sitting in the hot tub after a practice talking to Al Villanueva, and he told me a personal story about his time in the Army and why he joined the Army that got the gears turning for me.

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Exclusive with Steelers Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee

First off, why did you decide to choose the Steelers?

I felt like it was the best situation for me. The coaching staff and the offense they run – and the quarterback room – it was just a good situation for me to learn and grow. It was the best chance to play the game I love. I am super blessed to do it.

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Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Beanie Bishop

First off, let me know what the plan is leading up to rookie camp?

Really just starting to learn the playbook. That’s the biggest thing. And learning my role with the team. They told me they wanted me to play in the slot and contribute in the return game. I feel like I can play anywhere really, but I’m excited to play wherever they need me.

Why did you decide to sign with the Steelers?

I think it was just the best opportunity for me. Some teams have needs in certain areas – maybe they didn’t bring some guys back or draft guys for a certain spot. So when you look at the roster you can see where the best opportunity is for you.

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Exclusive with Rookie Camp Tryout Defensive Lineman Johnny Hudson

First off, what made you decide to sign with the Steelers?

The Steelers I know were at my pro day. I know they saw me then and talked to me a bit then. I thought I’d get calls from some other teams too but the Steelers were the only ones that called, and invited me to their rookie mini-camp for a tryout.

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