Tag: Steelers

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”

First, I know your dad was a big influence on your life. Can you describe how so – how he impacted your development?

I’m lucky. My dad was a former boxer – he would have made it to the Olympics but broke his foot – he would have medaled they say. He was grounded – amateur boxing was as big as professional boxing in England and he chose to keep boxing as an amateur. He was  a great role model because he showed me how to balance life – he balanced boxing  and his career with getting an education. he later went back to school and became a barrister.

So, he showed me that you could do both – be an elite athlete and have an academic career.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Tight End Christian Scotland-Williamson”

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

Right now as a profession – to get money I’m working as a plumber. On top of that I’m training for the MMA and plan to go pro soon. I have a wrestling background from high school where I won the state title.

I’ve stayed in shape after football and needed to find work. My friend was in plumbing so that’s how I got into that. I had a criminal justice degree but that required a regular sit-down job, and I’d just go to sleep doing that! I have a knack for it – I like plumbing and working on AC. It’s the best thing for me.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Wide Receiver Jason Chery, 2009-2010”

First, congratulations on signing with the XFL – what drove the decision to sign there?

Well, we were going back and forth for quite a while – it was just a matter of time really. We just got to a place where both sides got together. It was something I wanted to do – to get back to playing again.

Do you know how the XFL rules differ from the NFL?  I spoke with Jonathan Hayes who told me about having a specific ref for ball placement to speed up the game. Any others?

Oh yeah I didn’t know that – that would be cool – that’s a good idea. I think they allow you to throw the ball behind the line and throw it forward again. I don’t think it’d anything drastically different. I’m just looking forward to playing again . I’ve been a backup for six years and didn’t see the field a whole bunch. That’s part of the gig I know but I want to play.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Steelers Quarterback Landry Jones, 2013-2017”

First, tell me how the B3 Foundation you launched  got started and what it does?

It’s a non-profit that works out of three locations – Takoma, Washington, Los Angeles, and Guam. Those are the three locations that I’ve lived and grown up in – including Guam – I’m the first Chamorro ever to be drafted.

I’m trying to give back to inner city youth – taking care of them. In fact we just passed out 150 backpacks in Takoma for kids. There are so many issues there with gang violence where I grew up – there and in Guam as well, where I’m working on getting an entire fifth grade class there backpacks as well.

I’ve spoken to over 40 different schools and we’ve now raised over $30,000. It’s been awesome and I want to grow it and help even more.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Offensive Lineman Zach Banner”

First, what’s the focus for you this offseason – anything specific you’re working on?

For me, it’s the mental aspect of the game. I think I missed too many plays last year and gave up too many big plays because I was thinking too much on the field. I just need to slow down and digest things more. I’m going to watch a lot of film this offseason and see and learn from the mistakes I made last year and from the plays I missed.

What made you decide to sign with Pittsburgh in 2016 as an undrafted fee agent? And how has being an undrafted free agent helped to motivate you?

They gave me the opportunity. They had me go up against their top guys – AB and JuJu – and let me show them what I was capable of. And I ran with the opportunity, They gave me that opportunity to prove myself and I feel like that’s what I needed.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Mike Hilton”

First, tell me a bit about the free agency process. Why choose Pittsburgh over other interested teams? Any players help influence you?

Well, the process was pretty smooth. A couple of teams were interested – the Bills, Texans, Denver – the Chiefs were in the mix, and the Jets too. The Steelers came in late actually. The Steelers I think knew me well. We played against them in some big matchups, including the playoffs. It’s cool they came through.

There were a lot of factors that came into me choosing to sign with Pittsburgh.  It’s a great football atmosphere and they’ve won a lot of championships. It’s a great opportunity for a guy like myself to go from a good organization to a great organization.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Steelers Cornerback Steven Nelson”