Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!
More than 2,000 interviews of Steelers players, coaches, front office staff PLUS interviews with Pittsburgh actors, musicians, authors and more
First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?
Well, actually, I’ve been working for a railroad company now – Norfolk Southern. Friends of mine got me interested and into the work. I’m fixing stuff for them – tracks and stuff like that. It’s not too bad. I’m used to the physical stuff from playing football, so it hasn’t been that bad.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Running Back Dante Brown, 2003-2004”
First, let me know what the plans fore the offseason are for you?
Honestly, I’m just taking a bit of time off to let my body recover. You get a few nagging injuries and I don’t want to train with a hurt body, so I’m just giving it a little time first. But I’m still exercising, stretching – staying in shape.
It was a crazy season for you – what made you decide to accept the Steelers offer to sign you off of Chicago’s practice squad?
They just told me they really wanted me, For me, it was a great opportunity to showcase my skills and put some things on film. I’m thankful that they chose to sign me and believed in me.
Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Running Back/Kick Returner Kerrith Whyte, Jr.”
First I want to thank Ron Lippock for keeping up with us old guys and letting us share some memories. Next I want to thank the Rooney family for always treating me and my family as a part of the Steelers family. They were and still are the class of the league!!
I was truly blessed to have played for the Steelers and Coach Noll. I was only there for one great year but it was a life changer for me and my family. I was a member of the greatest rookie class of all time in any sport and won the Super Bowl in my first year as a pro. Those things stay with you your whole life. No matter where you go or who you meet, you are always introduced as a Super Bowl Champion. Your children and grandchildren are always known as the children and grandchildren of someone who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Continue reading “In His Own Words: Dick Conn”
George Perles: “Chuck Noll saw me as a teacher and that was important to him. I saw him as a determined man and an outstanding leader.”
Fred Anderson: “George Perles, my first NFL coach, I remember how he would tailor our gameplan to take away what the opponent did best offensively. We would eliminate their best plays which forced them into their junk plays. Amazing how that works if everyone executes.”
Jim MIller: “George Perles modeled Michigan State after Chuck Noll and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Our practices were just what the Steelers did back during their four Super Bowl run when George was defensive coordinator. Our uniforms were even modeled after the Steelers down to the stickered emblem only on one side of the helmet.”
Continue reading “George Perles Passes Away”
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.
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”