Tag: Steelers

Franco Harris: “I always say that the Immaculate Reception was the biggest play in Steelers history and beating the Raiders in the ’74 Championship game was the biggest game in Steelers history. The Immaculate Reception gave us the winning attitude we didn’t have before. The ’74 game – when we won that and went to the Super Bowl – we knew then that we were the best team in the NFL. The ’72 win was about attitude. the ’74 win was when we knew we were the best. I was nervous that entire game until the final whistle blew!”

Continue reading “Celebrating the Anniversary of the Immaculate Reception”

Cliff Stoudt: “I remember in May in mini-camp, I watched Franco take a handoff and run 80 yards downfield into the endzone on his own. He was spinning and pretending to jump over guys. We asked him what he was doing and he told us he expected to score on every play. So the next day all the rookies started doing the same thing – just in warmups.”

John Dockery: “Franco – some thought he was quiet because he was just distancing himself from everyone else. But that wasn’t the case. He was one of my favorite players – he was such a warm guy. He was just quiet.”

Seth Myers: “When I hosted the NFL Honors Award Show, I got to meet Franco Harris. He told me that if I was ever in town to give him a call. Well I had a chance to take my dad with me to dinner with Franco in Pittsburgh. My dad has met Obama, but he could care less about that compared to meeting Franco! Giving that to my dad was a gift. And Franco – his integrity. He’s probably told many of his stories a million times, but when he tells them it doesn’t seem like it. Those stories are like gifts.”

Continue reading “RIP Franco Harris: Steelers Players & Other Comments on Franco”

First, can you let mw know what you’ve been up to since you retired from football?

I’m the Director of the K Club at Kansas State University Athletics – where I went to school. K Club is for all alumni across all Kansas State athletics that ever donned a K-State logo.

My job is to keep them engaged with the athletic department – reunions, connecting with old teammates and friends and to keep them engaged with current student athletes. We want to make it a great experience for current players and alumni.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman B.J. Finney, 2015-2019, 2021”

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

I’m an Athletic Director now at a middle school and high school. We’ve started a new school and are in year three here. This is the first year of sports – we have a number of different sports teams we’re launching, so I’m excited about that.

How difficult was that post-NFL adjustment and how did you come about that direction?

It’s something I always wanted to do. Growing up I had a good mentor who was an athletic director where I played. What he did for me was great – he was a mentor for me and I wanted to be that same kind of voice for kids.

The opportunity came so fast and at such a young age for me. I was still interested in playing football but to get that kind of opportunity…I spoke to my wife and family and decided to take the opportunity.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Alvester Alexander, 2013”

First off, can you let me know your next steps in your football career?

I’m deciding now on which Spring league to play for. The XFL or USFL or maybe the Canadian Football League. I’m working in sales and marketing while I wait to make the decision.

Of course I’d like to be in the NFL but it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. So now I’m seeing what happens with the CBA in the XFL and USFL – waiting to see how things unfold. Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Jarron Jones, 2020-2021”

First off, can you give some highlights on your life after football?

Back when we played the players all needed offseason jobs – we didn’t make the money these guys make today! So I had a job selling Wrigley’s gum – I was a gum salesman! I stayed with that for a time then after 12 years I decided that I wanted to work with young people – to teach and coach.

I went back to Pitt and got a Masters in Education and got my teachers certificate. I taught and coached at high school and became an Athletic Director. After that I coached at California State University and then went to work at Robert Morris College for 11 years as their Assistant Athletic Director. Then I became a high school Athletic Director at the end of my career.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Bill Priatko, 1957”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been up to since football and how you made the transition to post-NFL life?

I’m living here in San Antonio, Texas – I got my real estate license and have begun selling and buying houses here.

For me the transition was a little bit difficult. My career ended sooner than I anticipated. I signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh and was released after that first year. I wasn’t picked up by anyone after that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Anthony Brown, 1999”

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

Well, I retired in April of 2019. My goal was always to retire at 59 1/2. My wife and I were doing a lot of traveling before Covid so we’re hoping to be able to pick that up again.

I was the GM of a Nissan dealership for 25 years before I retired here in Houston. Before that I was in the banking industry for five years or so.

I’ve become an avid mountaineer, strangely being from flat Texas. I started climbing Mount Rainier in Washington state. I made the summit twice and started on a quest to climb the tallest peak on every continent. I’ve now climbed four of the seven highest peaks – Kilimanjaro Africa, Aconcagua South America, Mt Elbrus Europe, and Mount Kosciuszko Australia. Three more to go!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Mark Kirchner, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1983”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL? What work/profession you got involved in and how you got started in that?

Due to my injury I received a settlement from the Steelers and temporarily retired from
football. Before leaving Pittsburgh in 1972, I served as Acting Assistant Principal at Rankin  High School.

In 1975, when L. C. Greenwood was being courted by the World Football League, he
chose to stay with the Steelers, but encouraged me to join the new league. I made the team and helped lead the Birmingham Americans to the championship of the fledgling, World Football League. I was sidelined by a knee injury near the end of the season though and officially retired from football.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Clarence Washington , 1969-1971”

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

I’m the regional VP of a security company now – Walden Security. I’ve been here nine years. We’re contracted with different businesses to supply officers and services to companies that need them.

A friend of mine heard about the opportunity – that’s how I got word of the job. Before that I worked for an underground utility company. But I wanted to get out of that when the construction industry wasn’t very good and found this new job. I’ve been here ever since.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Jeff Smith, 2002”