Tag: Steelers

First, tell me a bit about what you’ve been doing since your pro football days?

Basically, after my release there I did a little stint with Trump’s team in New Jersey, then went to the Chicago Blitz and played in Canada some too. Then I just said I was done.

I came to North Carolina and started at a manufacturing job and worked my way through there. I’m now a VP at the Hanes division of Leggett & Platt, managing their bedding group. I’ve been here now for over 32 years now.

We also have a 15-year old son my wife and I adopted – he’s a good kid – likes to wrestle. We’re going to start teaching him how to drive soon, so I’m dreading that!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Guy Ruff, 1982”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your playing days and how hard was the post-NFL adjustment for you?

I’ve been in management – a lot of leadership and management in the jobs I’ve had. I was a manager then general manager at Ashley Home Stores then at Geico.

I’m not gonna lie. It wasn’t something I just rolled into, life after football. I played football since I was six years old. Some say you graduate and get your degree and you have it all mapped out from there and planned out, but my mindset was football. I didn’t think about tomorrow. There wasn’t a fairy tale ending after football to the nine-to-five life.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back Greg Lee, 1988”

First off, what was the process like getting to the Steelers?

It’s started of great. I got my physical in and passed that, did the drug test and bloodwork….checked off all those boxes.

It was all quite a process. I started off after the draft as an undrafted free agent with the Colts. It was a good opportunity and I thought I had a good rookie mini-camp, but they released me. They told me they had concerns about my shoulder. I had surgery on it last April and they thought I could be a risk, medically. I never had a problem with it though so that was a shock to me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Cody Chrest”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since your time in the NFL?

Right now I’m the CEO of a non-profit called Young Kings. We find young men and turn them into young kings here in Atlanta in the low-income areas. We do that through football – teaching them the core values of football, and teamwork. We also teach through basketball and track as well. Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Outside Linebacker Alonzo Jackson, 2003-2004”

First, can you let me know why you decided to sign with the Steelers?

I think they just saw value in me – when the opportunity presented itself I had to take it. I was with the team for a short time last season – I was happy when they called me back this year.

I think I showed them my skillset when I was there – they liked my game and are giving me another opportunity. It’s a blessing for sure – I’m looking forward to it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Master Teague”

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

I’ve been in medical sales for 10 years or so now. When my career ended in the early 2000’s I had to start fresh, trying to leverage the skillsets I learned from athletics. That led me to distribution and sales. Those require the same kind of teamwork, competitiveness, hard work and resiliency you find in sports.

My first big-boy job, so to speak, was working for Cardinal Health in Wisconsin. Then I worked for Pepsi before going into medical device sales.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers S John Jenkins, 1998”

First, let me know how the opportunity to tryout occurred for you?

I received a call the day before rookie camp – just the day before! There were some guys from the Steelers at the HBCU combine. I was the last one to come in but hopefully the last one is the best one.

The GM was there – Mark Gorscak was too. They didn’t talk to me throughout the whole process though. Really, no one did. My agent talked to just one team before the draft and that was it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Alfonzo Graham”

First, can you let me know how the invite to camp occurred for you considering the fact you haven’t actually played at the college level?

The entire process has been a blessing. Football was always in the cards – I come from a football family. My dad – Gabe Sr. – he played in the NFL, and my uncle did too.

I was a successful track athlete – as an athlete I was always confident in my ability. I didn’t get the opportunity to play in college though I was on the team at Texas Tech my Senior year. I took it as far as I could and believe I have the talent to take it to the next level in the NFL.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Camp Tryout, Defensive Lineman Gabe Oladipo”

First off – how did the tryout opportunity come about for you?

I’ve been training for a couple of months now here in Miami – I’m from here. I had a lot of interest before the draft from teams – Miami, Packers, Vikings, Texans, Jaguars, Bears and the Steelers all showed interest.

At my pro day the Steelers stayed and talked to me for a while. Casey Weidl and Phil Kreidler told me they liked my elusiveness, speed and the way I ran routes.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Camp Invite, Duquesne Wide Receiver Dwayne Menders”

First off, why sign with Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent?

During the process leading up to the draft I had an amazing Zoom call with the coaches and their special teams coach especially – Danny Smith. I think we really connected well. They talked about how they wanted to use me on special teams and I am really looking forward to that – to contribute in that role.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back/Return Specialist Jordan Byrd”