Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

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

Well, not a lot really. I got into eduction and have been teaching for a while. My wife has a private behavioral health business. So just those things really.

As a teacher, I’m sure there are a lot of coaching lessons and coaches that influence your approach?

The things I use now from those days are really about hard work, discipline, and practice. The thing I realized most was that the teaching strategies we utilize most are ones that help kids see and understand things at a quick rate. In sports, if it’s a golf swing or football techniques, you take a lot of time trying to perfect one thing – to get better at one thing, In education the idea is more to go more quickly – so that’s a big difference.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety Brent Alexander, 2000-2003”

First, what is the offseason plan for you – what did the coaches tell you/ask of you heading into next season and in your exit interview?

I’m just focusing on the playbook – and just started jogging again. I took a vacation after the season – maybe I deserved it, maybe not.  I feel like I didn’t deserve it – I didn’t meet my expectations for the year. But that’s life – that’s how you grow.

I just want to do the best I can to be my best for the Steelers.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Safety Antoine Brooks Jr.”

First, what is the offseason plan for you – did the coaches talk to you/ask anything of you heading into next season?

Not really. I asked Coach T. if we needed to speak before I left and he said “Nah”. I told Coach Butts I was going to Mexico, then I left! I’ll start working out soon and getting ready for next season.

As a veteran/leader now on the defense, how have you adjusted to the role of mentor and leader for the young guys in the locker room? How hard is working with guys looking to take reps?

It’s not hard. You have to understand, the guys that were there before me did the same thing. My first time starting was because Larry Foote got hurt. He wasn’t mad – he was excited for me. He stayed late and helped me get a command of the defense and make the calls. He wanted me to succeed.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Vince Williams”

First, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?

I’m a financial advisor now for a local bank here in the Kansas City area. I’ve been in this role for 10 years now. That’s what I’ve been up to now.

How hard was the post-NFL transition and how did you get involved in the new career?

I was not one of those guys that had a clear plan after football. I knew I had to go back to school and figure it out. I didn’t know what I wanted to outside of football when I was in high school. The career really found me. I made a lot of contacts while I played and I interviewed a lot of those guys to see what I wanted to do. The rest is history – I fell into this for the long-term.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Keith Cash, 1991”

First, can you let me know what you’ve done career and family wise since your time in the NFL? And was that adjustment to post-NFL life difficult?

Well, I grew up in real estate. By the time I retired because of a bad knee in ’76, I was already involved in real estate brokerage and property management. So I did that for 40 years – all in the apartment industry at the management level.

I have to admit, the adjustment was difficult. I wasn’t emotionally ready but my body wasn’t capable. It took a couple of years to adjust to not playing. Fortunately, it gave me a lot of time to spend with my wife and kids and the rest of my family, so that was a saving grace. That was really nice.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Wide Receiver Dave Williams, 1973”

First, a lot of Coach Daniel’s approach seemed to focus on the in-person, one-on-one discussions and relationships he fosters with his players.. In terms of his focus on you as a person – how did that approach and mentorship help you – both on and off the field?

I was extremely fortunate to have Coach JD as my position coach for my 11 years with the Steelers. I feel like his guidance and mentorship made an invaluable impact on my career both on and off the field. Often times people notice that position groups take on the identity of their coach. With Coach JD, that was definitely the case. He was a great example of a no-nonsense, team-first leader.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Heath Miller, 2005-2015”

First, what’s the offseason plan for you?

Currently, I’m back here in Southern California where I’m from, working to get my body right, training to keep my body strong and right. I have the typical bumps and bruises you get during the season, so I’m just getting right and staying focused for next season.

I’m also opening up a card shop here in Westlake. The card market is going crazy. We’re going to do all the live breaks, Pokemon breaks – all those things. I’ve been a major Pokemon influencer for a while now. It’s a big niche market for me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Cassius Marsh”

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”