Tag: Steelers

First, tell me about your job at Auburn and how you got started in that work?

Right now I’m the Director of Facilities at Auburn – I manage the basketball arena’s day-to-day operations. I make sure all necessary repairs are done and it’s kept up-to-date. I also coordinate all of the events -we have volleyball and gymnastics in the arena and rent it out for weddings, parties, banquets….that sort of thing.

So a football guy manages a basketball arena? How does that happen?

Well, I came back to Auburn in ’97 to work on campus. In 2013 the new coaching staff came in and brought in their own guys. But I worked for the school on the administrative side, not for the coaches, so I was able to stay. The guy who used to manage the arena passed away – that’s when they approached me to run the arena since I knew the school. I was happy to do it.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Ben Thomas, 1988”

First, can you let me know what you started doing after your time in football?

I went to work and got my degree after I was done playing. I got my Masters and coached for one year at Prairie View A&M but I didn’t like that much.

I went back home to Corpus Christi and worked for the school district there in administration. I started up a program to work with drop outs. I also had a food service business on the side but that got too big. Real big. So I got out of that and opened up a few IHOPS and got tired of that after a while.

Now my wife and I have our own smaller business. I’m real close to the church and raised five kids. All five have graduated from schools and work around the country. I’ve been blessed.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Bobby Smith, 1966”

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

Since I’ve been out of football, I got involved in investment banking, helping small to mid-sized companies go public. I’ve also done some coaching for my son’s little league team. He’s 16 now – so I’m also enjoying being a dad.

We’re all dealing with Corona – my wife is a speech pathologist and she and my son are online a lot right now doing virtual learning. So I’m helping out all I can with that too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Defensive Lineman Kenny Davidson, 1990-1993”

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

I’m an underwriter now for the mortgage industry. I’ve been doing that pretty much since I’ve been out of football. My first few years I was in loan processing and then dabbled as a loan officer before getting into underwriting.

I also coached high school football at a local high school here from 2008 to 2018. I was the offensive coordinator and worked with the wide receivers and quarterbacks there at Channel Islands High School. In fact one of my players, Jeremiah Valoaga, made it to the NFL

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Ricky Martin, 1981”

First, let me know what you’ve been up to since retirement – I know Hidden Meadow Retreat is a big focus.

Yeah. The retreat was always a big focus since I thought about what I would do post-football. In 2017 my wife and I started praying and asking God how to use us. I knew football was a means to an end – it wouldn’t last forever. When football ended I didn’t just want to sit around and be a consumer. I wanted to give back in a unique way.

I thought about it – reflected and prayed on it. I realized after speaking to pastors and Christian leaders that they were getting burned out. There are so many incredible people doing great things but they weren’t getting enough support.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Tight End Vance McDonald, 2017-2020”

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

After football, I went into business with my brother and another partner – we had two men’s retail clothing stores. But I soon realized that just wasn’t for me.

I wrote to Rawlings Sporting Goods – they had just launched a management training program so my timing was good. They hired me and I became a sales manager in the DC area, working with wholesalers, calling on colleges, pro teams and high schools. I ran into a lot of guys I played with and against in college and the NFL there.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Stahle’ Vincent, 1972-1973”

First off, what are your offseason plans – how are you approaching the offseason?

For me, this is my first offseason. The biggest thing for me is to go back home and be with my family and take some time off. Let my body rest. Then, it’s back to working out and preparing for a big year two.

So nothing crazy – just working out and being with the family.

What have the coaches asked you to work on in your exit interviews – anything specific?

From the first couple, just working on gaining strength. It’s a 17-game season – at minimum. Just getting bigger and stronger to bolster my strength for a long season.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Back Tre Norwood”

First, what’s the offseason looking like for you – what’s the plan?

The process for me is to take a month off and let my body rehab – let those bruises get back to normal. Then, it’s back to the grind. A lot of lifting and running – you name it. I just want to take a step up from last season – to take a bigger step in my special teams play and and get more opportunities in the offensive part of the game – to get more reps there.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End Kevin Rader”

First, tell me how the season went for you?

It was a great one – no complaints. I am grateful to be blessed to have stayed with the team the whole season. With free agency and the way the crazy season has gone, a lot of guys are released and go all over the country. I was blessed to be able to stay in Pittsburgh the whole season.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Daniel Archibong”

Mark Whipple: “My report had him over Rivers. I was the coach at U Mass when we played Rivers. He was a tremendously talented guy. In fact, two of those three quarterbacks taken first in the draft that year should be first ballot Hall of Famers. Rivers just didn’t have the team around him the other guys did.”

Why did you like Ben better?

“I was really impressed with Phil but Ben was a year younger which we valued, and he was a lot more athletic. I didn’t meet Phil’s parents but Ben’s were great people. And playing well in the cold weather was a huge thing. His senior year he played Bowling Green in a snow storm and threw for over 430 yards. That’s huge for a player playing in Pittsburgh. We’re not playing in a dome.

He didn’t even play quarterback until his junior year in high school. He was a wide receiver before then because they were starting someone else there instead.”

Continue reading “Steelers Players, Coaches, Owner and Front Office Staff on Ben Roethlisberger”