Tag: Steelers

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

Well, now I’m the Vice President for Sullivan Insurance Group here in Massachusetts. It’s near Holy Cross. I grew up in New Jersey and got recruited at Holy Cross and moved and stayed here since. I started the business with my old roommate’s brother, oddly enough.

How hard was the post-football adjustment for you?

It was an adjustment – I did it really on two tracks. My first year in Pittsburgh I tried to make the team but unfortunately did not. Then I went to Buffalo … I played as many preseason games as a guy can over those years but didn’t make it over that final hump.

I kept in shape – mentally and physically after Buffalo just in case I got another call.

Continue reading “Exclusive with former Steelers Wide Receiver Gordie Lockbaum, 1988”

First, I spoke with you before camp started about trying to make the team. What are your thoughts now after  year one with the Steelers?

I think it went pretty good. It obviously started off tough – on IR. It was a tough situation. But when I got back I did what I had to do to get back on the field. I could do more I know but it was a good start to my career, especially coming in as an undrafted free agent.

What did the coaches tell you you need to work on to take that next step and get more playing time?

Basically, I just need to perform better. Come in with the same mindset and especially – get better on special teams. Me, just being used to the system now and knowing what’s going on. That will help me develop from where I am now.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Olasunkanmi Adeniyi”

First, what are the next steps for you and your football career?

Well, first off, I’m hanging up my cleats. I’m currently retired – I just haven’t officially announced it yet.

I have a fee businesses – I’m working in real estate and all over the place really. That’s about it. I have three little kids and they’re a handful.

Why the decision to retire?

The last few years, it’s been tough. I was injured all over the place.  Small and big injuries. Just a bunch of different situations and at the same time I had three little kids. I started to think about hanging up my cleats when I went to Philly. I told my wife then that if it didn’t work out there I would retire. I had a great camp in Philly, but I got more injuries and they released me. I already had some businesses in place so decided then to let it go.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Markus Wheaton, 2013-2016”

First, let’s talk about your time in the CFL so far – how is that going – what do you enjoy most about playing in the CFL?

It’s given me a chance to continue to play football. And in the CFL it’s less about the business side, not like the NFL. It’s not business-oriented. In the NFL it’s stressful – real cutthroat to make a roster especially as you get up in age. Not many order guys stay on the practice squad…. I am enjoying football here.

How did you end up in the CFL? I remember Chris Rainey talking about the need to be in great shape due to the size of the field.

My agent called me after the calls stopped for me in the NFL. My agent asked me about whether I’d like to play in the CFL. At first I was iffy….but when I got there, I saw there are a lot of guys here who can play. It’s not much different than NFL – maybe on the offensive and defensive lines skill-wise. But when I got here it worked out well – I’m on one of the best teams in the league.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers CB Crezdon Butler, 2010”

First, can you let me know what’s next for you now in your football career?

Well, I just signed a three-year contract with the new Alliance Football League – I signed with the Birmingham Iron. That was the team I was assigned to based on the last team I played for – the Cleveland Browns.

I started camp in January – the season starts after the Super Bowl.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Safety Jacob Hagen, 2016-2017”

First, can you let us know what you’ve been doing since your time in Pittsburgh?

I have a mortgage bank branch that I run now. When I was playing I began flipping houses and worked on the real estate side of things and found the mortgage side was haywire. So I wanted to become one of the lenders that do it the right way – to make it a good experience. I’ve been doing it for twelve years now and have had good traction – all through word of mouth. Continue reading “Exclusive with Scott Shields, Steelers Safety, 1999-2000”

1992 Steelers-Oilers. Steelers come from behind to win 29-24 on an O’Donnell to Cooper touchdown pass in the 4th quarter. Graham, and Foster also had touchdowns and Anderson kicked three field goals.

The big story is the five interceptions the defense managed against Warren Moon. Two each by Perry and Woodson and one by Griffin.

Continue reading “VIDEO: 1992 Steelers-Oilers Highlights”

First, can you tell us about the new head coaching job with the new Alliance of American Football Birmingham Iron team. What made you decide to take the job?

Well, I’ve been coaching for a long time now. From youth football, high school, college, and at the professional level. As a coach you always think about running your own program – coaching your own team. When the opportunity came up, it was the opportunity to live out a dream. That’s what all coaches aspire to do.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Defensive Coordinator Tim Lewis on AAF and Steelers, 1995-2003”

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

Well, I’m still around football. I’m helping raise my family – I have a son who just finished playing football at Maryland. I was coaching but I took off the past four years to officiate games at the high school, middle school and college and semi-pro level.

Does being an official give you a new appreciation for what NFL officials go through?

It definitely does. It gives you a different perspective. You learn a lot of things you can get away with – things you wish you knew when you were playing. Like what the officials do and don’t look at on the field and with players. Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Linebacker Donta Jones, 1995-1998”