Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

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

Obviously, I’m older now! I was let go from my job last March so I was just deciding if I want to go back to work again after all this is over or to retire.  I worked in finance for a long time and really don’t need to work now. I can retire if I want. Coming from the world of football, I’ve seen a lot of the people I know or ran across from then die a lot sooner. So that has weighed on me. Do I want to work more or spend the time I have left enjoying my life-  spending it with my wife and kids?

Was the post-football transition difficult?

I wasn’t there long. I started for a year – but it’s easer to get used to it than un-used to it. In college everything is taken care of for you, then you go get paid in the NFL doing what you love to do. Then you have to go figure out what you want to do after that, after everyone else has already gotten started in their careers. So it takes a while to get started.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Punter John Goodson, 1982”

First, can you tell em how you got into photography in the first place?

I was planning on going to art school after college. But my dad at my high school graduation bought me a Canon DSLR as a graduation gift. I switched my major in college after that – it piqued my interest.

When I was in college I got an internship working for Michael Fabus  – the Steelers’ team photographer at the time. I ended up doing that for two-and-a-half years. I started off helping in what I thought was a short stint – I got to go cover the AFC Championship game versus the Patriots in 2004 – unfortunately we lost. But they ended up keeping me on – and from then on I knew that this is what I wanted to do.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Photographer Karl Roser”

I know you played defensive back professionally – how did you become a running back coach?

I played running back all through my youth and for two years in college. In order to get on the field a position switch was necessary though – it worked in that regard. I played defensive back in Canada only – I never played there before in high school or college.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Kirby Wilson, Former Steelers Running Back Coach, 2007-2013”

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

Well, I was in the commodities business for about 10 years, then I semi-retired. I haven’t been doing a ton of anything since – a few investments here and there, that’s about it.

We’ve been doing quite a bit of snowboarding now where we are in Montana. Some skiing and snowshoeing too.

Was the post-NFL transition difficult for you?

Not really. It didn’t really feel like it anyway. It was big that right away I had things to get involved in. I built and sold a couple of spec homes in Miami and split our time between here and the Florida Keys. We sold the house in Florida in 2006 and bought a sport fisherman boat and had some great experiences boating up and down the Keys, staying from island to island.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Tom Newberry, 1995”

First, can you tell me more about Alkeme Health – what it is and how you were motivated to launch this company?

Alkeme Health is a digital health platform whose guiding principle is to provide care to Brown and Black people with on-demand mental health and well-being content and courses offering psychotherapy help, meditation and more.

What prompted your specific interest in this?

Black and Brown people have been underserved by the the healthcare industry – especially in regards to mental health – for a long time. The healthcare industry didn’t address issues like intergenerational trauma, systemic racism, anxiety, and micro-aggressions. And no one really did anything about it. So we’re seeking to fill that gap by helping those in need. I experienced this as a player in the NFL. I really didn’t receive the proper care I needed for these issues. I wanted to provide help to others by filling that need.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety Ryan Mundy, 2008-2012”

First, can you talk a bit about what you’ve been doing since your playing days and how you got started?

Well, I’m a head coach now for high school football in Newport News, Virginia. I’m in my 32nd year of coaching and have coached guys like Michael Vick, Aaron Brooks, and B.W. Webb. I’m still teaching and coaching – I haven’t retired yet! I’m still trying to make a difference in the lives of the kids I coach while enjoying what I’m doing.

What has been the biggest influence for you as a coach?

Coming up through high school in the 70’s, it was crazy for me. Those coaches were big figures for me. They were important in my life – I grew up with no father. So those coaches were important and influenced my personal life. They talked to me and helped me – that helped show me what I wanted to do with my life as a coach.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Tommy Reamon, 1975”

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

Well, I’m semi-retired but work with NFL Legends – working with former players to help them with benefits, going back to school and to get connected with their former teams. We have the Legends Lounge at the Super Bowl, combine and draft too to meet and work with players and visit with teams on their alumni days. Each of us have a few teams to work with.

I also started a food distribution business locally here in Maryland and Virginia. We get crabs from Virginia and shrimp from North Carolina – ribs and chicken too. It’s a local thing.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback J.B. Brown, 1997”

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

Well, I’m pretty much retired now. I oversee real estate and construction for a company. I make sure they do what they re supposed to do and help handle payroll.

How hard was that post-NFL adjustment for you?

Oh yeah it was hard. Just after winning a Super Bowl too. I wanted to be part of that process again, but I didn’t get an opportunity. It was hard to deal with. Hard to swallow. There is always something to remind you of the game too. Constant reminders – TV or something on the news. It was hard to digest. Hard to accept.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Orpheus Roye, 1996-1999, 2008”