Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Kicking things off – what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?

I’m back at home giving back to the youth here. I’m raising my son and giving back as much as possible – giving the youth here the knowledge of the game that I got by playing. They have the drive – I’m just helping them with a little bit of coaching – helping at the rec center and with travel ball. Just some one-on-one training – nothing serious. I’m not doing it for the money.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Mario Harvey, 2011”

First off, what’s your plan now – I see you’re doing a lot of media work?

I’m now doing a lot of media stuff, yeah. I broke my foot the year before the Steelers traded for me and I was still working to nurse that fully back to health. I’m just seeing what this offseason will look like for me.

Are you interested in doing more media and did you get any training to do so?

Definitely. I think my knowledge of the game gives me a great way to work in the media. I never thought about coaching but I want to bring my expertise to the media space. I can speak to what situational things teams and players go through throughout the season. As a veteran player I have a good understanding of that.

I did do the NFL Bootcamp – that helped me get my feet wet, practicing calling games and working in the media.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Allen Robinson, 2023”

First off, what’s the offseason regimen been like for you?

It’s going well – I’m back at my home base outside of Atlanta, training to get in the best possible shape I can be in for training camp. I’m doing speed training, running, conditioning and weights – I want to come in at 205 – that’s my optimal weight.

I want to come in and be as fast as possible this year. I’m studying the playbook now – I want to be able to move and react faster this year.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Kyler McMichael”

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

I was pretty banged up when I was done playing. But I always knew I wanted to be a cop. In college we had police officers that helped handle the security and I got to know them. They told me that when I was done playing I should give them a holler. When I was done I reached out to them and they helped work with me to show me how to get on the Wichita police force. I started the academy in February of ’89 and retired as a Sergeant after 27 years.

After that I did some coaching but I got bored of that, so I started working as a policeman for the local school district and I really enjoyed that. I liked working with the kids there.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Jerry Quick, 1986-1988”

First off, what have you been up to since your playing days?

I stopped playing in 2017 and bounced around different jobs for a bit. I’m now a project manager for The Pulte Group doing new home builds. I was a carpenter for a while and wanted to do more and get out of the field and came across the opportunity at Pulte, and here I am now.

What made that adjustment to post-NFL easier or harder for you?

My work ethic. My wife was a college athlete as well and we’ve found that in both of our jobs, people who played sports seem to have strong work ethics. They hold themselves accountable and get the job done.

I feel like I’m still competitive – I carry that competitiveness in my work like I did on the football field.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Quarterback Chris Dieker, 2011”

First off – how did you end up getting signed by the Steelers?

It’s been an amazing experience – it’s great to get the opportunity to be a part of the Steelers organization! It started when I was invited to go to the rookie mini-camp for the Steelers and Seahawks – they called my agent and invited me.

I showed the Steelers I was coachable and learned the scheme quickly. I put my best foot forward and had great communication with the coaching staff. I made the most of my opportunities I think. Nothing huge – but I showed that I could contribute to the team.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig”

First off, can you let us know how you got started as a coach?

I just gave up coaching this year to become the Athletic Coordinator here in Houston for Stephen F. Austin High School.

When the Steelers released me in 1988, I had a couple of tryouts with Buffalo and Cleveland but those didn’t work out. I did a couple of Summer camps in Arkansas when Jack Crowe was the head coach and got to know him. After that I became a graduate assistant there for two years.

After that I got a job at Chatanooga under Buddy Nix – we played Clemson that year. Well, we did not win that game!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Theo Young, 1987-1988”