Tag: Steelers

First, you’ve been coaching track and field for over twenty years now. How did you get started in this and why track and field?

I originally started the Track Minnesota Elite program to help my kids and others to develop their track skills and increase their opportunities to receive college scholarships, which I proudly state “mission being accomplished”. All three of my kids received division 1 scholarships and 90% of our participants have received academic and athletic scholarships the past 15 years.

Considering I was part of the 1983 Pennsylvania high school state champion and in consideration that my wife and I whom both competed in track at the University of Minnesota, developing a track and field program was a natural, plus I coached youth football (The Minnesota Steelers) and high school for seven years.

Continue reading “Mel Anderson, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1987”

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL career – what you’ve been doing and how you got started in this new line of work?  

I currently work for  start-up technology company (Domo, Inc.) based in Utah.  I also started my own business (where I work full time as well) after my career ended.  My company Empee Solutions manufactures innovative, high-quality products that help simplify life. One of our products the “Lifter Hamper” was featured on SharkTank last year, and really helped us hit the market.

Continue reading “Marvin Philip. Steelers Center, 2006-2007”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing since you’ve retired from the NFL and how you got started in these new ventures?

Usually,  I’m with my kids. I have three kids, eight, six, and three.  My six-year old has Down’s Syndrome, so I spend most of my time in therapy, driving him around, volunteering at school… A lot of my other time is spent with my eight-year old, coaching his football team.

How did your time in the NFL influence your coaching?

I try not to tell him what to do. I’m not on the field – he has to learn to be instinctive. I help him when he comes off the field if he makes any mistakes – give him tips…but I let him go on his own natural ability as a runner.

Continue reading “George Jones, Steelers Running Back, 1997”

First, you’re a judge in Pittsburgh – why did you decide to become a judge and how did you get started on that path?

I was always thinking of my future – I had a family since I started in the NFL. three-to-four years into the league I started going to law school at night. It was different then – not like now where your football salaries pay for everything. Then you needed something else to do.

Why law?

I wanted something that was challenging and exciting and law fit in that. I knew some lawyers and liked the competition in the court room. I applied to Duquesne and Louisville and got into both. Since I had moved to Pittsburgh I took the night program and prepared for my future.

The Lord led the way really. I was watching a PBS program on TV when I was in Louisville and there was an ad for an option for LSAT courses. It was a sign – I did well on the exam and the rest is history.

Continue reading “Dwayne Woodruff, Steelers Cornerback, 1979-1990”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing since being with the Steelers?

After I left the Steelers I played for five more years winning a Super Bowl with the Giants, and officially retired in 2012.  After retirement I became the definition of an entrepreneur, and have been leading a project for franchising in my home state of North Carolina. And now that the groundwork has been laid, I’m looking to get into something that suits my goal-oriented nature and success driven personality; for me it’s Pharma or bio tech sales.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a few great people from a company called Bioventus.  And after meeting with about four people from the company, I realized that I truly have a passion to work in that field.  I really enjoyed the culture of the company and people, and the actual devices they make are beneficial to a lot of individuals.  Overall my plan and goal is to bring the success I had on the field to a company like Bioventus.  So since, I left school early to pursue my NFL career I plan to return and finish my last 17 credits and possibly intern or shadow in the Pharma or Medical Device field and then jump into the industry and make a name for myself.

Continue reading “Brandon Torrey, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1996-1997”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing since you’ve retired from the NFL and how you got started in these new ventures?

Since my playing days came to an end, I decided to take time to relax with family and friends. I spent so many years away, trying out and playing for different teams, working with different strength coaches, trying to keep the dream I had for as long as I can remember alive. You sometimes lose track of the people that matter the most. The last couple of years haven’t been all fun in the sun. I put myself out there looking for work, which took awhile and involved a lot of hearing no before hearing yes.  I kept the faith.

Currently I am working for Remax as a Buyer’s Agent in the Philadelphia area, and am very pleased with the opportunity to help people find their dream home. I work with a great team, after playing in Pittsburgh that bar is set really high.

Continue reading “Eugene Bright, Steelers Tight End, 2009”

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

I’m the project manager for a small custom home building company here in Cincinnati, Hensley Custom Building Group. I say small because we do eight-to-ten homes a year. On average they are a million to two -and-a-half million dollar homes – that’s the general range.

How hard was it for you adjusting to post-NFL life?

It was difficult – to a degree. I miss the camaraderie and friendship.  And the competition – football is the ultimate competition. In my last year in Pittsburgh I hurt my knee and have had problems with my knee – the cartilage has worn away. My body didn’t hold up…

I spent a year rehabbing and trying to figure out what my plans were next – what to do now. Fortunately for me, I was always interested in real estate. I got my minor in real estate in college and my wife and I bought and redid 48 homes and apartments while I was rehabbing, It was a good buffer – a good platform for me.  We still own them all.

Continue reading “Andre Frazier, Steelers Linebacker, 2005, 2007-2010”

In honor of the Steeler linebacker’s birthday, and because there are so many great quotes about him from players we’ve interviewed, here are a number of those quotes on Mr. Lloyd for your enjoyment:

Kevin Greene: “It was always competitive having Greg Lloyd on the other side as my hunting buddy. It was always, ‘ I’m gonna beat your slow ass to the quarterback’. ‘ Not today Slappy’.” 

Sammy Walker: “Greg Lloyd helped me in different ways. He told me to tell Joe Green “Thanks Mean Joe!” This was right after the Coke commercial and Joe was mad it was so popular and he got paid so little. So Joe grabbed me and picked me up and pushed me against the wall. Lloyd had to rush in and tell Joe he told me to say it. Greg saved me – he told Joe he told me to do it!

Continue reading “Happy Birthday Greg Lloyd – Some Quotes on Lloyd from Former Steelers”

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

Well I live in State College. My wife and I moved here in 2007. This is where we met – I bought this house when I was a player and we know have four kids – two boys and two girls, 7,5, 3, and 1. So I’m busy!

I own three physical therapy clinics and work with a medical devices sales company as well, focusing on orthopedics.

Continue reading “Justin Kurpeikis, Steelers Linebacker, 2001-2003”

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

Since my time in the NFL ended I went back to school at the University of Illinois to earn my Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. I then went on to start my Insurance agency in late 2005 in Central IL. I enjoyed a successful agency for many years (8) I began to find other interest after I began traveling to Austin TX in 2008 and eventually moved to Austin in 2013. I joined Oracle Corporation recently and I am enjoying learning the Enterprise Software & Hardware sales world.

Continue reading “Rameel Connor, Steelers Defensive Lineman, 2008”