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

Well, I have a construction start-up – I’ve been doing that for some time now. I also am bartending some while I’m in school. My main thing is that I’m working on my EMT certification so I can become a fireman. I’ll go the academy once I get that.

Why a fireman?

I always wanted to be a fireman. The comraderie is similar to that of football. The concept of teamwork and having a common goal is an idea that makes people happy.

How hard was the post-NFL adjustment for you?

I tried to make sure I had things planned out before I left. You never know when your career will end. You have to have a backup plan and I did – that way things go smoother afterwards.

Still, it was a struggle. When you play football all of your moments are accounted for. Now, you struggle to get that structure back. You are in limbo sometimes – like your life is suspended. Things don’t always go as planned like before when life was all laid out for you.

You played linebacker and cornerback in high school. Why safety in the NFL?

I played everything except quarterback yeah. I didn’t start to play football until I was in seventh grade. I was a late guy. I asked my mom to sign me up. In high school, you’re still figuring out what position you want to play. The coaches have an idea of what you can do. But especially because I started late, I was learning on the fly. I never limited myself and did what they asked me to do to learn everything.

I wanted to be a linebacker in college because of Ray Lewis. He was my favorite player in high school. In college, I was too small to play linebacker. I had the physique for the secondary. Offense is ok, but I liked safety – I always thought it was better to give than receive! I wanted to deliver the blow – it was better to decapitate someone. Well, I don’t mean that really….

In 2008, you signed on with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. Why Pittsburgh?

I was coached by Ray Horton and he was a University of Washington graduate. He came down and saw me play – he found me. He told me he wanted to bring me in with two others guys to compete for a roster spot. They drafted Ryan Mundy and signed Travis Williams, and I played my tail off to make the team.

Who helped mentor you as a rookie – both on and off the field? And how so?

Gosh. The whole secondary. Physically, Troy Polamalu was always an asset. I sat in his chair and he didn’t make me move – that’s how he was.  We were both West-Coasters – there weren’t a lot of us on the team. He looked out for me. Ike, Deshea, Ryan Clark….they all did.

I think it was rare for them to see an undrafted free agent make it in that secondary. I give credit to the whole secondary – they showed me what it’s like to be a professional – to take care of my body and my finances. To save money….that’s what helped me be prepared for the lockout. There were a variety of life skills they imparted on me. I was appreciative of that. Deshea told me I needed to do the same for the next guys. Carter said that too. It was the same messaging – to pass it forward.

What are some of the funnier memories you have of your time there?

There were lots of funny things. It seems so long ago. The rookie show was the highlight of every year. My welcome to the NFL moment – I remember was a hit on the Eagles fullback in preseason. It was a safety firezone blitz and I timed it perfectly. The weakside opened up and I hit the fullback while he was still in his stance almost. My facemask turned around 180 degrees. I was dazed and straightened up and saw I disrupted the play. It was cool – the guys said good job, and that’s when I got the bug and wanted to keep doing it!

The freestyle Fridays were funny too. We’d get together and rap and clown on each other. Deshea was the MC. It was team bonding stuff like that that made things so special.

How did you handle life on the bubble – knowing you were not always safe to stay on the team?

You can’t look over your shoulder. Two things helped me. First, the Chaplain gave me a list of scriptures to read. I asked him for the list and found one to focus on and internalized it. It helped me to forget the good and bad plays. All I did – it was about getting it and moving on. That helped me to get through – to not dwell on anything and just continue to grow as a rookie.

Also, I was concerned about being the best I could possibly be. I wasn’t concerned with the next man. All you can control is your own efforts – yourself. So I wasn’t focused on the other guys. That kept it at bay. Tomlin referred to something in out third preseason game I didn’t forget. He said there are two kinds of people – those who feel pressure and those who apply pressure. He said that they’d see which we were then. And that was true – that shows your true colors.

What do you think of the way the game has changed now?

I think they over-saturated the game with the idea of concussions. I think it gets more attention that it needs. I’m not saying to skip over it , but it has watered down the game.  I hope it’s not flag football by the time my childrens’ children play.

Football is a collision sport. High impact, high velocity. You have to understand that. I feel the powers that be have their hands in things they don’t need to.

Any last thoughts for readers?

I’m appreciative of my time in the NFL. All things come to an end, but we get to write another chapter. Football was great – and it’s enabled me to do the things I truly want to do. I made it past the threshold. I’m grateful and can reap the benefits of it now. For some reason I was called upon, and now I can speak on behalf of all of those that didn’t make it. I’m lucky to have the time I did in the NFL and I’m forever grateful. No one should ever take it for granted. I did it the right way, and it set me up for life.

Steelers Takeaways fundraising drive!

Help keep these free interviews coming! If you can, please donate as little (or as much!) as you like by contributing to Steelers Takeaways here:

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pittsburghsports

Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.  To order, just click on the book: