Tag: Steelers

First, what have you been up to since your time in the NFL?

After football, I worked at Pitt’s communication department for two-to three years writing for the magazine.

Then I took an opportunity at Syracuse to work as a graduate assistant while  got my Masters there. I coached part-time – the pay barely paid for gas money – and worked odd jobs. I was going through a divorce and paying child support. I actually had to declare  for bankruptcy.

After that I got a job as a high school coach then as a defensive coordinator. for an arena football team – it was arena II – the smaller league. It was interesting -we did a lot of traveling by bus – the furthest we went was to Huntington, West Virginia! It was like a movie – a lot of characters –  gifted athletes but guys from the penal system…guys with discipline issues…The team move around a lot before it finally went under.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Ernie Brown, 1999-2000”

First, what’s been going on with you – what have you been up to this season?

Well I’m training right now – getting ready for when the next opportunity presents itself. I’m spending time with my family – catching up with my sisters and brother more. It’s been a blessing.

What’s been the hangup do you think in getting picked up by teams – what’s your agent telling you?

Well I had re-injured my knee and needed a scope for that – so that was a holdup. I expect some opportunities to open up soon though. I’ve been working out and am in great shape – better than I’ve ever felt. I’m just staying prepared.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Eli Rogers, 2015-2018”

First, can you let me k ow what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

Well, currently I’ve been working for Canon selling copiers throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult for you?

It was definitely an adjustment. Back when we played big money then was $100k, maybe $120K. Jobs after football paid maybe $35,000 to $40,000. So it was difficult finding a job that could fulfill that challenge you found playing football and that paid enough. That part was difficult – finding something you just wanted to do.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Emil Boures, 1982-1985”

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

When I quit I did a couple of things. I got into the construction business – pouring concrete for basement walls and that sort of things here in Missouri. I mixed that in with a little fun. I have an RV as do my two daughters and we often go RV’ing locally here in Missouri – out to Branson or the state parks.

Was that post-NFL adjustment difficult for you?

No because during the offseason I worked down in Florida. We had a home in Ft. Lauderdale and my brother-in-law built homes there. So I worked for him in the offseason. I couldn’t justify just sitting around all Winter. We didn’t make much money then anyhow.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Pete Brewster, 1959-1960”

First, let me know what you have been doing since your football days?

I’m fully retired. We go to Florida in the Winter usually. But outside of that I’m just here with my grandkids. I like to golf, Swim, and my wife and I go on walks. We like to travel usually one or two times a year and see our son in New Jersey, but of course now we’re grounded.

I had three successive back surgeries a few years ago and that set me back a year, but I can walk, golf – I can still do those things now.

As a kid, what memories of your time with the Steelers stand out to you most?

My father worked in the ticket office so we would be very actively involved with the team – we’d g to games, and when I was a Sophomore in high school – around 1955, when the team trained at St. Bonaventure – I would go work at training camp. I was one of the camp boys – I’d do whatever they needed me to do there and on Sunday I’d work as a waterboy.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Tim Rooney, Director of Pro Personnel for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972-1979”

First, tell me about how the nomination into the Ford Fan Hall of Fame got started?

Well, before the last home game in 2012, I got an email from Steelers Nation Unite telling me that I was one of 12 people to have attended every game that year. You had to check in with the Steelers app – like an “I’m here” thing, and they can track to see you went to the games.

Well, I had pneumonia but I had to go. They wanted us to go down on the field for a drawing  -one of us would win a trip to the Super Bowl. I was sick – I wasn’t supposed to go out for more than 30 minutes, but I had a streak of 17 years – never missing a preseason, regular season or playoff game at Heinz Field. It was at 183 games. The last game I missed was at Three Rivers.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Inaugural NFL Hall of Fan member Rick Holman”

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

Well, I’m currently the sale manager for a Toyota dealership. I’ve been doing that for four years now.  I’m hoping to get back to the NFL as a scout. I did that for 15 years or so. I spoke with my former GM in New Orleans who was associated with the AAF now, but they were still figuring out their scouting process.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Safety Cornell Gowdy, 1987-1988”

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

Well, I partnered with my brother-in-law to start up a termite inspection company in California. It was a funny thing to jump into I know. It’s what my brother-in-law was doing for the last 15 years but was working for someone else and wanted to be a manger. We were chatting about what to do next after my knee wasn’t healing well enough after my injury for me to play again. We opened our doors last August and we now have 15 guys working for us already.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Cody Wallace, 2013-2016”

First, you’ve been the defensive backs coach for Green Bay for a number of years now. Can you tell us how you got started there?

I played for Dom Capers in Houston and he told me then I should coach when I was done playing. After I retired I took a couple of years off then in 2011 I took advantage of an internship opportunity at Green Bay, The next year a new entry level position opened up and I got my feet wet there.

Now, I’m at Carolina, coaching their secondary.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Defensive Back Jason Simmons, 1998-2001”

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

When you’re done with what you’ve been doing your whole life, it can be daunting finding out what’s next for you. Not everyone walks away from the game with gobs of cash.

Figuring that out was a bit of a challenge for me. It took four years for me to really make it in the NFL so I had some time to prepare for life after football early on. After football I did some interesting work on the TV and radio – everyone wants the next popular player who retires – they jump to the head of the train.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Punter Mark Royals, 1992-1994”