Tag: Steelers

OK – so tell me a bit about your dad – how did he find out he got drafted by the Steelers?

The day of the draft was my dad’s 21st birthday – in 1955. They did the first two rounds on his birthday and the remaining upteen rounds then afterwards. There wasn’t any draft hoopla then like there is now. He got a call a day or two after the draft – he didn’t even know then he was on the Steelers’ radar. He thought he was going to the Bears or the Rams – his older brother played for the Bears in 1950. He was also being courted by the CFL which drove the prices for players up a bit.

Unfortunately he only played that one season in Pittsburg despite being the n umber five overall pick. What happened?

Back then the College All Star game was played in early August and he played in the game with the rest of the best Seniors then. They played the Cleveland Browns who were the NFL champions – and he dislocated his shoulder in the game making a tackle.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Doug Davis, Son of 1956 Steelers Running Back Art Davis”

So, first let me know how you got into video production and NFL  clock management?

I got started in 2005 when I took an intern position with the Steelers. As time went on the video production work across the NFL got bigger. I stayed on with the Steelers as a seasonal employee – all of us were considered seasonal – but the work grew into the offseason as well.

I worked on the television and internet content for the Steelers and that continued to grow. Then Bob McCartney, who was the head of video production, asked if I wanted to work on the other side of video – on football operations. I said yes, but I had on idea what I was doing. But I learned that job for a few yeas. It’s much more raw – you only shoot a couple of angles and it’s all very quick – you’re looking at film and getting cut-ups quickly to the coaches during games.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Ryan Rhoades, PSSI Game Clock Operator (2013 -Present) and Video Assistant (2005-2013)”

First, how are you managing right now amidst this craziness?

Well, I’m back home in Minnesota right now – the state is still on lockdown and it looks like it won’t open up until maybe around May 15. I’ve been working out – my fiance’ has a horse farm so I’ve been doing stuff on the farm staying in shape – and have some tires and dumbbells here as well. I’m getting some good work in so far.

You have a year in Pittsburgh under your belt – how does that help you going into this season?

Well my third year if you count my rookie year in Atlanta, but yeah, having that second year in Pittsburgh is huge. I know what Latrobe is like – I know the Indy drills, the playbook and calls. It’s a huge difference. I didn’t even know what Pittsburgh was like before – I thought it was a steel town and a big blue collar town.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman J.C. Hassenauer”

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

Well after I was done with football, I finished my degree at UNLV – I accomplished that. Now I want to get my Masters and am also in the process of becoming a firefighter and becoming a paramedic and EMT. I started taking the tests and am doing well.

I also play rugby as a hobby. I keep in shape – that helps me stay competitive which is important to me. I work out four-to-five times a week.

That, and I’m raising my kids too!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Frank Summers, 2009-2010”

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

Well I went to work as a safety director in Charleston. But they wanted to send me overseas and I was worried it was too close to the war, so I started working after that as the athletic director for Little League here instead -for ages six through 13.

Was it hard adjusting to post-NFL life?

To be honest I didn’t like football at all. So no. I had a gift for sports and I played most of them pretty well.  But I didn’t like the physicality of football. I didn’t want to go to college to play football but that’s how I got to college – that’s where life landed me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Henry Odom, 1983”

First, how are you staying in shape and staying ready for the season?

Well, what I’ve been doing now- I’ve been treating it like my college Spring days. I’m working on my legs – a lot of squats – and just staying in shape. Staying at it.

Why did you decide to sign with the Steelers as an UDFA?

They have a good defense and tradition. I know a couple of guys that were there – Artie Burns and Devin Bush. Devin texted me a a short while ago just telling me what to expect. I’m excited to earn a spot on the team.

I also spoke with Xavier Rhodes how told me a lot about the NFL and what to expect as a pro too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback James Pierre”

First, how are you handling getting ready for the season aright now considering the issues we’re all experiencing?

This past week things have sped up – I’ve just been working out and staying in shape. Now our Zoom meetings have started- Terry Cousins- the Directory of Player Development – he’s been letting us know what’s going going and what to expect. It’s so far really just been an orientation for the rookies so I’ve just been staying in shape waiting for camp.

What made you decide to sign with the Steelers?

First – really, it was an honor to have an opportunity to play at the highest level – let alone with an established organization like the Steelers. They have a great defense – that the coaches thought that highly of me to bring me in and to take a chance on me means a lot. They felt I had a chance to make the team with my style of play. I talked to my agent and the Steelers’ GM and we felt this was the best opportunity for me to make an NFL team.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker James Lockhart”

First – how are you preparing for start of season amidst this craziness?

Really, I’m just working out on my own and trying to stay in shape. I spoke to a few of the Steelers defensive linemen, just asking for some advice on how to get ready.

Who did you speak to?

I can’t really tell you!  But they gave me advice on how to get in shape and on how important it was to be in good shape heading into camp.

Were you surprised to be drafted by Pittsburgh – what did they tell you?

Well, I had a FaceTime interview with Kevin Colbert, Coach Tomlin and one of the scouts and I really liked them coming out of that. I liked the relationship there – so when I got the call I was ecstatic. To go to such a great organization – I’m just thankful they’re taking a chance on a kid from Blue Springs, Missouri.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Carlos Davis”

How staying ready amidst all this craziness?

Well, right now I’ve just been trying to stay in shape – working out at home – running and lifting and working on football stuff. I have some equipment at home. I’m just trying to stay n shape and will keep training to stay in shape and be ready for whenever we can get started.

Any idea on what the virtual workouts can do for you?

I think they’ll help a lot – and getting the playbook in my hands too. I just want to do everything I can to get ready for the season and make the 53.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Defensive Lineman Josiah Coatney”

First, why choose Pittsburgh as your landing spot after the draft?

It was a long wait Saturday yes, but I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out yeah.

Pittsburgh was the first team to reach out to me. Living in New England, playing n Pittsburgh is close so my family can come out and see me play easily. And their style of play fits my personality. It checked all of the boxes for me. I’m excited to learn from some of the great veterans there and a great coaching staff to work with.

About New England – I saw your bio on your school website -favorite player is Tom Brady? Any way to fix that before you get to Pittsburgh?

Ha – oh yeah, I’ll need to blur that one out!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Christian Montano”