Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

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

Well, I’m out here in Alameda, California – been here for 30 years. I had a number of injuries after my first season in Pittsburgh and my wife and I talked about my career and sat down – we were ready to do something different. I had three concussions and the doctors told me that I was risking my health if I played any longer.

I had hoped my career would go for a longer time – but I was just told I was risking too much damage.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Running Back Jim Brumfield, 1971”

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

I’m in medical device sales. It’s a competitive business – a lot of players are in it and do well in it. It’s a lot about who you know. You either love it and do well or don’t and don’t do well. I’ve been doing it for over 10 years now. I went back after I retired and got my Masters and went to law school, but then decided I didn’t want to be a lawyer after all.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Todd Fordham, 2003”

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

After I left Pittsburgh I tried out with Minnesota. I lasted until the last cut.

I was going to law school during the offseasons. So I went to Arkansas and finished off law school and practiced law for 15 years. I became a circuit judge after that for 20 years before I retired.

In the meantime I got married and had three sons.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Jerry Mazzanti, 1967”

First, can you let me know what you’re doing now with the Yankees?

Well,  I’ve been with the Yankees for 13 years now. My role has evolved – before Twitter, Facebook and Instagram all started kicking in I was doing post-production work for the website – not gameday stuff like when I was with the Steelers.

With social media so big we now moved most of our content to social media – we have two million followers on Facebook alone – that’s more eyes than on tv most of the time. But they asked me right before Covid to revamp the content for the scoreboard. I was just starting to do that when of course Covid hit. So now I’m not certain what my role will be. I’ve done some of that work, working with players to to create content via Zoom and other video applications, but a lot depends now on when we come back.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cameraman/Producer Peter Gergely, 2001-2007”

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

Well, nothing now. I’m in Fort Myers, Florida and am retired now. I’ve had health issues – headaches and memory issues from my concussions in football. I was also diagnosed with diabetes. So I’ve had health issues on and off.

Has the NFL helped at all with the health concerns?

The NFL has been doing a great job helping, yes.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Running Back Warren Williams, 1988-1992”

First, tell me a bit about what you’re doing with yourself now – what are the next steps for you?

Well, football-wise, I’m staying ready, staying in shape in case I get the phone rings. Even when I was with the AAF in Memphis, I was just staying ready.  That’s all you can do is stay ready until a team hopefully asks you to come in.

I have other things going on too. I have a couple of business ventures with friends, but it’s a little early to talk about those right now.

How hard is it, waiting and just staying ready in hopes for that next call?

It is difficult. It’s something you don’t – you cant plan for. It’s tough not being in that routine of OTAs, camp, then the season. Now I have to have my own programs to stay ready and in shape. It’s different in that regard. There’s no shortage of motivation that’s for sure. But it is frustrating.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Punter Brad Wing, 2014”

First, let me know about your post-NFL career and how you got started?

Well as you know, coming up with an athletic background from a young age, you fall into that athletic identity. I did that myself – you attach your identity to the sport. I leaned on that for stability – that was my safe haven. It carried me through high school, Penn State, Oklahoma and through to the Steelers.

I remember – my second year I was training with Antonio Brown and we were at his house. His chef prepared us dinner and we were talking, when out of nowhere he asked me “Justin, who are you?” It caught me off guard. I told him I was a football player. He said “No you’re not – you’re more than that. Don’t let the game do that to you.”

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Justin Brown, 2013-2014”

First, let me know what you’ve been doing for all of these years since you played in the NFL?

Well, I’ve been in the music and entertainment business for most of my life here in Dallas. I play the banjo and sing DixieLand and country music  – been doing that since high school and my days at SMU.

After my season in Pittsburgh in 1955, I tried to play for a few more years after I went to the service, then came back to Dallas and worked on some homebuilding business. I got married in ’62 – been married now for over 58 years. After that I was able to open up a music venue called the Levee here in Dallas – it was a very popular spot for years. I played the banjo and we had a group – the Levee Singers – and we played every night.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers wide Receiver Ed Bernet, 1955”