First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you’ve retired from the NFL, and how you got started doing so?
I currently co-own a food brokerage company. I have been managing and selling for our company since I stopped playing football. Rasmussen and Associates was started in 1979. I have been married to my wife Dana for over 30 years and we have raised two wonderful daughters. We spent many days watching the girls play soccer & hockey.
How did the NFL help you prepare for post-NFL life, and how hard of an adjustment was that for you?
The NFL taught me to be persistent and work hard. I learned about teamwork and respect. I use all of these things daily. It was hard to change from a physical job to a sales job but after time, it became easy.
You were drafted by Pittsburgh in round 8 in 1984. Were you surprised to be drafted by Pittsburgh – and how difficult/frustrating was it for you when you had guys like Webster, Wolfley, Ilkin, Long and others already on the roster?
Pittsburgh showed the most interest, so I wasn’t that surprised when they drafted me. The frustration came from the lack of playing time behind these great players. The upside was that they were all great mentors.
What was your biggest adjustment to the NFL game, and how did those guys help you make that adjustment from college to the NFL?
The speed and intensity of the NFL were two big adjustments. Some players were much older and so much more confident. Patience and hard work.
Who helped mentor you as a rookie – helped you to adjust to life both on and off the field, and how did they do so?
I would say it was the entire offensive line. It was a pretty tight unit. Mike Webster had a big influence on my first couple of years in the league. A great person on and off the field. The entire line welcomed my wife and I right away.
The team struggled in ’85 and ’86 – how did Coach Noll and the rest of the team address those struggles, and what was behind that temporary decline then, do you think?
Coach Noll was a very hands on head coach. All the coaches and players worked as hard as possible, but unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go as planned.
You went on to play for Minnesota in 1987 – how difficult was that for you to move on and was that spurred on by the fact it was your hometown team – where you grew up and went to college?
It was great to play in Minnesota. Family and friends close by. I had a couple of kids at that time, so it was nice to stay in Minnesota. Pittsburgh was a great time in my life though. It was a great place to play. Some of the best fans in the NFL. They still are today.
Who were some of the toughest guys you lined up against both in practice and on game days? What made them so?
Randy White, Chris Doleman, just to name a couple. At the NFL level, there are so many great players. The whole Pittsburgh defensive line made you work hard every day. Intensity and drive are a couple of attributes that make players great.
Do you still follow the Steelers and the NFL today? What do you think about the way the game has changed today – and is it for better or worse?
I do watch NFL football games and follow the Steelers when I can. Football was a big part of my life for many years. One of the biggest changes I have seen throughout the years is the size and speed of the players today.
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