Tag: Steelers

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”

First, can you let readers know about your start in the NFL. You were drafted by San Francisco in round 17 in 1951 – how did you learn about being drafted and were you happy about being drafted by San Francisco?

I was still in school and Larry Moon Mullins told me I was drafted. The funny thing is, I got another notice at the same time from the service, telling me I had to report to an internment center. So I went to the Marine Corps instead. I told the 49ers and they suggested I go and return to the team when I came back.

I was in the service for twenty-three months – in fact I was still in the service when I returned to 49ers camp. I took my fifty days of leave – I had them in the books – so used them at the end of my stay and made the team.

That’s when I also started pro wrestling with Leo Normellini. I was a wrestler in college and he suggested that he and I start wrestling to make some extra money.

Continue reading “Art Michalik, Steelers Linebacker, 1955-1956”

So, first, can you let us know what you are doing with yourself since the NFL?

I’m a speaker and an author – I wrote a book last May on the Millionaire Mindset and am now doing speaking engagements and am out selling my book. I moved back to Madison, Wisconsin and got my communications degree and am a consultant for the university as well. I teach my financial principles to the athletics department. I also do the Gridiron GQ podcast and another one to start soon interviewing athletes who are running their own companies. It’s very cool – it’s for young kids and older players – teaching them about leadership and marketing – helping them learn entrepreneurial skills. It’s got a great response!

I’m still a certified financial planner – I don’t practice but worked for Morgan Stanley or three-and-a-half years. It was a good time but it was too micro. I wanted to work on a macro scale and speak the financial gospel. With compliance, which is understandable in the industry, it didn’t allow me to move the way I wanted.

And, I am also still doing radio for ESPN in Madison covering college football and interviewing former Wisconsin players.

Continue reading “Brandon Williams, Steelers Wide Receiver, 2009”

First, can you let readers know what you are ding with yourself since your time in Pittsburgh?

Well, I’m back at home helping my high school football team in East St. Louis. I’m coaching the defensive backs for them and helping to teach there.

Any coaches and lessons influence the way you coach them?

I tell them every day they are going to go through adversity There are times when they will be down and need to be picked up. There are ups and downs in games – several coaches at Illinois helped me in this. They gave me feedback like a father – guys like Ron Zook.

Continue reading “Terry Hawthorne, Steelers Cornerback, 2013”