Tag: Steelers

First off, why did you choose rot sign back with Pittsburgh?

It was a great opportunity. Meeting Coach Tomlin and Coach Dunlap and seeing that defensive line room and how it worked. Hard work there is respected. In Cincinnati I busted my butt but was battling things out of my control. In Pittsburgh it feels like effort is more respected. There’s more opportunity here – they show love from top to bottom.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Domenique Davis”

First off, why did you choose to sign with the Steelers?

Ultimately it was a real simple decision for me to make. I wanted to go where I could have the biggest impact for my team.  There were multiple factors on why I chose the Steelers. I talked to my family and prayed on it. The depth chart and scheme were big reasons. I was also just excited about getting s fresh start. My family was on board and it was just the right fit.

What’s in store for you this offseason?

Work, work, work! The past two years with the Colts – I’m super grateful for the opportunity they gave me and for drafting me. It was motivating though not to see the field last season, knowing what I can bring to a team. I’m getting to work on my weaknesses and want to come back better and stronger.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Evan Hull”

First off, what new projects are you working on now?

Now, my big thing is my transition back to Pittsburgh from L.A. We moved back about six months ago and are getting re-established here. We have twin girls and a son so getting them in school and getting settled has been a major thing.

Professionally, I signed with a publishing company to produce a book of poetry. That will come out this year. My wife and I are also talking to  a family friend who is selling their business. It’s called Salt of the Earth – it’s a salt cave and crystals shop in McMurray. We’re still talking to them about that.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back Rashard Mendenhall, 2008-2012”

First off, what’s the off-season looking like for you?

I’m staying here in Pittsburgh. Being from Germany, I don’t have any family here so I’ll train here then visit home for 10 days. I’m just staying in shape and staying ready for next season, using the Steelers facilities to stay ready.

What have coaches told you to work on?

They told me to stay in shape. My goal is to have more of an impact on special teams. That’s how you get those last spots on the active roster. So I’m fine-tuning those skills. Danny Smith told me he has a plan for me at OTAs. I’m not sure what that will be though.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Julius Welschof”

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

I’ve been married to 20 years now and have two boys – one in college at Oregon and the other is 13.  I met my wife when I moved to the U.S. when I was 10 – I knew her since I was a kid.

I’m a firefighter now – I’m a captain here in Washington – I was promoted to captain about a year ago.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback B.J. Tucker, 2003”

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

I’m in North Liberty, Iowa now. I’m married and raising four kids – we’re busy!

I am a chiropractor now – I started four years after football. I went to chiropractor school in Iowa and started my second career. We have two other chiropractors besides me as well as a massage and physical therapist. I started it by myself at first and did all of it on my own, but now we have support staff and other providers. I’m trying to keep people on the field – that’s the goal!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Mike Humpal, 2008”

First off, what’s the plan now?

Right now I’m just still rehabbing. My situation with the Steelers – I tore my hamstring in OTAs and had to sit out camp. That’s why I was cut.

I got an opportunity to play in the CFL for B.C. – they were looking at me since I was in college at Tulane. I went up there for 30 days but to be honest my hamstring still wasn’t there yet. I decided to wait for an opportunity in the Spring in the NFL or USFL so I can come back in full health for those workouts in the Spring.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Duece Watts, 2023-2024”

First off, what have you been doing with yourself since you stopped playing?

Right now I’m just enjoying my downtime. I’m a high school coach and a teacher here in Sweeney, Texas. I’m just gearing up for another football season!

As a coach, were there coaches and coaching lessons that impacted you most? And how?

You can always learn from somebody. I’ve taken a piece of something from everyone and incorporate that into what I do now. Even going back to my playing days. One of my first coaches was Bill Cowher when I was in Kansas CIty – there are certain aspects I take from him – his high energy and enthusiasm.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Tracy Simien, 1989”

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

Currently, I’m working for Marathon Petroleum. I moved to Indianapolis here in May and work in the transportation and logistics division and manage everything in this region. We have three operations in Indiana and one in Champaign, Illinois.

How was the post-NFL transition for you?

The initial transition was difficult. At that time I was till trying to figure out what discipline I could transition into. This was right after the economic downturn. I relocated home – my dad had just passed away and I wanted to be closer to my mother and siblings. I looked at different opportunities – coaching, scouting…then I thought back to high school.. Back then I had wanted to learn more about manufacturing and oil and gas. The area I am from in Louisiana – we had a lot of oil and gas facilities there. A lot of people we knew worked in those facilities – my dad also worked at a steel mill for a time. So I became interested in the process of making finished products.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers (2010) and Ravens Cornerback David Pittman”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since the NFL?

I’m doing full-time ministry now. I started off in banking and finance after football but was very active in the church at that particular time. So it seemed like a natural progression.

In the mid-80s everyone stayed with their company forever. It’s funny, when I told my best friend I wanted to talk to him about a change in career and told him I was going into the ministry, he wasn’t surprised. He thought I was going to get into coaching or something. That he said would have been a real surprise!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dwyane Hooper, 1985-1986”