Welcome to Steelers Takeaways! – Page 95 – More than 2,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff PLUS interviews with Pittsburgh actors, musicians, authors and more

Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Zach Banner

First, how have you been managing to stay ready through this craziness?

I’m just adjusting to a new plan here, Right now I’m getting stretched out by my brother who’s my training coach and buddy – he came here from college because they closed his school down and is training with me.

Was the contract a relief – getting re-upped by the Steelers?

It’s a big relief yeah, but just to be honest, it’s one of those things that’s a blessing – I’m really appreciative – but it’s just another opportunity. I’m betting on myself really. They wanted me to sign for a couple of years but I just signed for one. I just did a pancake, no pun intended. That’s when you flip it and you get a whole other side. A whole other opportunity.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Zach Banner”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Willie Parker, 2004-2009

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

I’m coaching high school football now and am a parent – doing both in no particular order. I’m giving back to the younger generation and really enjoying it.

As a coach, who helped shape the way you approach coaching, and how?

As a coach, I try to deliver my message the best way I can. Kids today have their ears open now more than I remember us doing when I was a kid. They are more involved and listen to what I have to say.

Good or bad, I understand now why my coaches pushed me and try to do the same thing with my kids. High school, middle school, – even recreational and Pop Warner leagues – all of those coaches helped shape me in some form or fashion. They touched my life regardless of what level I was on.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Willie Parker, 2004-2009”

Exclusive with Steelers Long Snapper Kameron Canaday

First, these are crazy times – how do you stay prepared for the season during all of this?

Yeah things are crazy right now – for the whole world – not just the NFL of course. Every day life is strange now.

Right now it’s not too crazy yet in terms of getting ready. It probably will be in a couple of weeks when Jordan, Chris and I would start working together normally to get our timing down.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Long Snapper Kameron Canaday”

Exclusive with Former NFL Scout/Steelers Radio Host Matt Williamson

First, how do you think the social distancing issues are going to affect teams and the draft this year?

I’m not real dialed-in to the technology teams are using, but communication has to be a big issue. Draft meetings happen a lot this time of year traditionally and they are more effective with everyone in the same room going over their position boards – battling over players – those battles are important and can’t work as well battling over Skype or whatever people are using.

On draft night, it should work out ok as long as the internet doesn’t go down or there aren’t problems with whatever software they are using. There was an idea that teams should all get one timeout on draft day so they can call Goodeell in case somethings goes wrong – I actually think that’s a good idea.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former NFL Scout/Steelers Radio Host Matt Williamson”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Chris Carter, 2011-2013

First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since you retired from the NFL?

I just accepted a job in tech actually – with StubHub on the business side in ticket sales. I retired from the NFL last year after an eight-year run. It was a great run for me.

It’s funny – of all the teams I played for, my family never had a team they loved until I got to Pittsburgh. Now they are Steelers fans for life! How the Rooneys treated me – they got me doing internships while I was there – I got my Masters while I was playing in Pittsburgh. The owners – Tull, Paul – they were the ultimate mentors for me. They stayed by my side even after I left Pittsburgh and helped me with internships – to help me with my career. I have nothing but love for them.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Chris Carter, 2011-2013”

Exclusive with Attorney Nasischa Anderson Malone

First, tell me a bit about your background and how you got involved in fighting for players’ disability benefits?

Well, I started practicing law in 20001. I was in a big firm for a few years, then started my own practice. I started off doing probate, estate planning, and personal injury work. My husband is Alfred Malone – he played for the Texans and Green Bay and retired in 2001. In 2014 I started getting directly involved in helping him with his disability claims for his issues. I saw his progression – his health decline as we dated. He had a number of health issues due to his playing time – he dislocated his knee in the UFL and that finally ended his career, but before that he broke his hand, fingers and his back. I saw him on the couch with icepacks on his back every day – sometimes for the whole day. Just in pain – sometimes in tears.

I didn’t get it then. I didn’t see the whole picture and I didn’t know much about helping with disability claims then.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Attorney Nasischa Anderson Malone”

Exclusive with J.T. Wall, former Steelers Fullback, 2003-2004

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been up to since your time in the NFL and how you got started coaching?

Well, like a lot of guys, I was in a crazy place after football. I still wanted to play in the NFL but there were no NFL teams that thought I could play. But I had to stay ready just in case. I had six or seven tryouts over the next two years, and in the meantime I did speed and agility and strength training for high school athletes here at home. It kept me in the game, so to speak. I kept working out and staying n shape. I was ready to go in case I got a call.

I did that for two-to-three years and then got a job as the athletic director for a recreational center. I still did the personal training as well on the side. Then, in 2009 a coaching job came up where I graduated from high school – at John Milledge Academy. My mom was in education her entire life, and she told me I should get into coaching. Well, a lot of people told me that over the years and I didn’t listen to them. But I finally listened and gave it a look.

I met with my college coach and we talked for a long time about being a coach. The last thing he said to me stuck with me. He said that most people coach their whole life to get an opportunity to coach at home. This was a unique opportunity to start at home. So I gave it a shot. And I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s fun, seeing the kids through their eyes develop and transform over four-to-eight years in the program, depending if they started in middle school.

Continue reading “Exclusive with J.T. Wall, former Steelers Fullback, 2003-2004”

Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Todd Spencer, 1984-1985

First, tell me a bit about what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL?

Well after football, I had a hard time adjusting to the working world. I didn’t finish with my degree.

So, I got to working with kids in group homes after a friend of mine helped me find the job. It was the House of Champions – my friend was a former athlete from USC who believed in emphasizing positivity with the kids. I also became a foster parent to two of the kids – twins – who are both now successful, married with kids.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Todd Spencer, 1984-1985”

Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Cameron Heyward

First – tell me about the Heyward House- why you chose his charity and what it’s about?

I started about five years ago – I saw guys like Troy {Polamalu} and Brett (Keisel} – how they got involved in the community. I didn’t know how but I knew I wanted to get involved too. I worked with my family and started the Heyward House to help children who were at-risk, the Southeastern Brain Tumor Association and the Asthma Institute. Those are causes near and dear to my heart. As you know, my dad had a brain tumor and I wanted to help people who had those issues.

Children at risk – these are crazy times and I think people don’t realize that this is still the biggest need we have. Just providing them social activities and working with the Boys and Girls Club where my dad grew up attending. If not for that my dad may never have been on a path to get to the NFL.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Cameron Heyward”

Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Chris Wormley

First, how are you handling the trade and the logistics amidst all this craziness – how is the team helping?

It’s definitely a strange time. I had my physical last Monday at the Redskins offices – they were a neutral party the Steelers trusted – the guy there worked with the Steelers for a number of years before.

I haven’t been to Pittsburgh yet – I’m still in Baltimore – quarantined here. It’s been a challenge time finding a place in Pittsburgh – people just aren’t renting or showing places right now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Chris Wormley”