Tag: Steelers

First, what are you looking to improve on most this offseason – I know you just got on the phone after working out?

I always try to find something to be better at. One day it’s trying to get my hands on the ball more and get more turnovers in practice, one day it’s working out more in the slot, another more on man defense. You can choose what you want to work on in practice and I try to work on everything.

The coaches say anything to you about what they want you to focus on?

Well I came in late, so I think they’re still learning me too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Safety Tray Matthews”

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since you retired?

I’m just being a dad. Going back and forth between Pittsburgh, Vegas and splitting time with the kids with their mother in Denver. I’m also doing some real estate and just being a dad and chilling out.

I do some volunteer work at my former high school and help with the boosters at Colorado State too. I’m just happy and blessed to have put enough money away to be able to support my kids so they can do what makes them happy.

How hard was that post-NFL transition for you?

I’m good. It’s hard when you don’t hear your named called sometimes. That’s why they say the transition can be hard. That and it was so regimented. Everything was on a schedule – especially during football season. Everything was consumed by practices, film study, workouts, obligations on and off the field…  So adjusting from that is hard.

When I grew up my mom and dad raised me and exposed me to a lot of things. We grew up on the beach. So when I stopped playing I still hung out at the beach with friends and worked out – took my kids to the beach. I’m happy now being able to mentor guys and give back. That’s occupied my time. That time I missed with my kids and mother and sister – I’m catching up with them all now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Clark Haggans, 2000-20007”

First, can you let us know about your post-NFL career?

Well, I have a career in medicine now as an orthopedic surgeon here in Birmingham, Alabama. I actually chose my career path while I was a rookie in Latrobe, during training camp.  I was an inside linebacker in college and in Pittsburgh they moved me to outside linebacker which was an entirely different position for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself  – I was hard on myself. I didn’t think I’d make the team.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Gregg Carr, Steelers Linebacker, 1985-1988”

First, can you let us know what you are doing now and how you got started in this new coaching venture?

The opportunity came up when Herman Edwards reached out to me – we talked about what I wanted to do in the future. I did some TV work and enjoyed it and committed myself to that, but no one offered my something substantial for the rest of this year.

So, when Herm offered me the chance to help work with the coaches at Arizona State, it was a very exciting opportunity for me. Herm and I worked together before and we have a good relationship..

What is the major difference for you in coaching at the college and professional levels?

I haven’t coached at the college level since back when I was at Pitt in ’90 and ’91. At that time, everyone expected to go to the NFL, but no one really talked about it. We didn’t talk about it as openly as we do today. It’s more acceptable – more open to discuss it now – so it’s different. That is a change for me. The model here still is to first promote the opportunity to get a degree, then if you’re good enough, then you can get a chance at the NFL too. That’s the setup here, but I know it’s not the same everywhere.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Linebacker Coach Marvin Lewis, 1990-1995/Former Bengals Head Coach”

First, can you let us know what you got involved with after your time in the NFL?

Well, as you know I got into the TV business working mostly with CBS and CBS radio as well, doing NFL games, the Tour de France, the Olympics… really interesting things, I had a good time doing it.

How did you get involved in that?

The producer at NBC then was Terry O’Neill. He was a big football fan and knew talent when he saw it! He suggested that I do some sideline reporting and commenting on games. I did that for 13 to 14 years.

Frenchy was a piece of work. We were a conservative team in New York. When I was in Pittsburgh there was a function after practice – and in comes Frenchy with fur coat, suit, scarf and hat – then I see goldfish in his shoes. I thought I was hallucinating! What kind of team did I get on!

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Back John Dockery, 1972-1973”

First, thanks for  talking to me about your dad, John. I know he just recently passed away in June. Before we start with some questions, tell me a bit about what you think people should know about your dad?

My dad was born on October 19th, 1937 in Hawaii. He grew up in Kaneohe Hawaii and had a good early childhood. What really helped him most in football was the fact he took Judo for twelve years at a dojo in Hawaii – he said that really helped him with his football skills.

He’s still the only player from his high school to get to the NFL. He went to college at BYU and returned to Hawaii after his playing days to coach at the same high school. He gave back after being an All-Star all four years there.

His dad actually worked at Pearl Harbor in 1941 – he didn’t come home for four days. They thought he died, but he had to stay to help clean up after the attack.

Continue reading “John Kapele Jr., on Father John Kapele, Steelers OL/DL Lineman, 1960-1962”

First, what are you doing now with your time – what are the next steps for you?

I’m finally 100% healthy again. I’m excited to be in the XFL draft next month – I’m happy to be a part of that.  That’s my trip back to the top – that’s definitely my next destination.

What have you heard about the league so far?

It’s a new league – I was  a kid when the old XFL was around – that one had more swagger – it was more like wrestling. This league is much more professional. Oliver Luck has done a great job – there are some great guys from the NFL and CFL – and lot’s of guys with experience. That’s a requirement for a lot of the teams and league.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz, 2016-2017”

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

After football, I took on a harder job. I’m a stay-at-home dad with three kids. I went from one extreme – the physical side of football – to the mental side as a stay-at-home-dad.

You also coached a bit -something you want to continue?

I just did that a bit to help out – hut my schedule wouldn’t work out with my wife’s career.  It was fun and I learned a lot but it’s my wife’s turn now!

Was the post-NFL adjustment difficult?

It wasn’t too rough. I was officially done and once you know that it’s an easier transition. When you have three kids there’s also no time to sit around and think about things. So it wasn’t too tough exiting that part of life when I knew it was time to turn the page and move on to the next chapter of life.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Doug Legursky, 2008-2012”

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Wide Receiver Terry Wright”

So, first, tell me what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

Well, as far as football, I think that’s fading away. It’s a what have you done for me lately league, and I haven’t done anything lately.

I’m transitioning to the next phase of my life now. I just finished getting my degree at the University of Washington and am working in construction. I’m hoping to pursue that or something in coaching.

How hard has the post-NFL transition been for you?

It’s something I still struggle with. You do something for 27 years then they say you can’t do it any more…I’ve played football since I was eight. All I’ve done Ive done to play in the NFL. I feel like I reached that height and it was a dream come true Now I need to find what else I can do to satisfy that need to compete and impose my will on people.

Construction may be the best fit for me – I get to hang around other people from different walks of life and different backgrounds. I’d want to pursue that and be a superintendent if I don’t end up coaching.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Alameda Ta’amu, 2013-2014”