Tag: Steelers

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

I own my own construction business – I do additions and renovations – kitchens and baths, that sort of thing. I’ve been building stuff since I was in seventh grade – I always got into it. It progressed over the years. I guess I like taking a pile of sticks and making something out of it!

How hard was it for you, adjusting to life after the NFL? Did the NFL help in your post-career?

It was a big adjustment. You go from having everything done for you to having to do it yourself.  I bought a house in my hometown outside of Pittsburgh though so it was easier being in my hometown.

The NFL offered zero help then. It’s basically, “We don’t want you anymore so goodbye!”

Continue reading “Gregg Garrity, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1983-1984”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself these days?

Well, I’m back in Houston – I moved back here when I signed with the Texans in 2002. I’ve been married eleven years and we have an eight year-old son. I’ve been working in commercial real estate since my retirement from football in 2007. I’m currently a broker at Fritsche Anderson.

I’ve also had the pleasure of running a quarterback academy since 2010 (Houston Quarterback Academy). I have group camps and offer private instruction. It’s been great to stay involved with the game in that way and mentoring QBs is something I love to do.

How hard was that post-NFL adjustment for you?

Everybody has a tough adjustment I think. In my situation I had to scratch and claw to make the team over my career. I had to fight to keep the dream alive. When the phone stopped ringing – you know maybe it’s time. In ’04 – that was my last year in the NFL – in Pittsburgh. My career came full circle. I tried the Canadian Football League in 2006 and that was good because it gave me closure. I knew it was time to start on the next chapter.

It was a tough adjustment. At first I didn’t like watching or going to games. I felt like I could still play – I know lots of guys have that feeling. Now that time has passed, I love watching games with my son and love being around it again and passing on the knowledge I gained.

Continue reading “Mike Quinn, Steelers Quarterback, 1997, 2004”

First, can you let readers know what you’ve been doing with yourself lately career-wise and personally?

Well, I’m not currently employed – I’m just enjoying retirement. I do a lot of personal appearances – things of that nature. My relationships have grown because of that. People think it’s just about smiling, taking pictures, and signing autographs. But if you take a step back and ask and answer questions, you’d be amazed at the people you meet.

Now, I have gotten a couple of coaching offers – but that’s not my forte’. I’ve had opportunities. If the right opportunity comes along, then I’d make that happen.

Tell  us about getting drafted by the Steelers, Were you surprised to be drafted by Pittsburgh?

First of all, I never imagined being drafted. Everyone was saying that coaches and scouts were talking about me, but the athlete I was – I wasn’t into it until I was into it.  Once I left school I went to the Senior Bowl and that’s when I really found out that I could be playing for an NFL team. People after the Senior Bowl were saying mid-second round to the fourth round. I went on a few trips after that – to teams and a few combines – and my stock went up. Now people were telling me mid-to-late first round. I said “Ok – that was fine with me!”

I just wanted to be drafted. A number of teams would call asking if I wanted to play for them. It didn’t matter to me who it was – I just wanted to go somewhere.

Continue reading “Louis Lipps, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1984-1991”

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

After Pittsburgh, I still wanted to play and had opportunities at Miami, Atlanta, and wound up in San Diego (1989), but I didn’t make it and was released. I knew my career was over then. I jacked up my elbow in Pittsburgh. I couldn’t really bend it – I was in extreme pain. So I retired and went back to college for two semesters and got my degree.

Continue reading “Mark Behning, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1985-1987”

As heard on Tunch & Wolf show, ESPN, 93.7 The Fan, TribLIVE Radio, KDKA, SB Nation Radio and more!

If your a Steelers fan, you’ll love Steelers Takeaways – taking the best stories and quotes from over 600 Steelers interviews and breaking them down by topic and generation. Just $20. Order via Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

See what these former Steelers and others have to say about the book!

Continue reading “Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades – Order Today!”

First, can you let us know a bit about what you did with yourself after the NFL?

After being cut by the Steelers I returned to Oklahoma University to finish my degree. Then the following year I went with the Dallas Texans and played there two years, becoming a two-time All Pro Bowler with them. When the Texans moved to Kansas City to become the Kansas City Chiefs, I retired from football but remained involved helping with the transition of the team. At the same time I joined the national staff of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, whose offices were also in Kansas City. I have been vice-
president of an insurance agency, developed youth homes to house and work with troubled youth, worked with a nationwide prison ministry, built and operated an adult retreat center, and eventually went back to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, finally retiring in 2002.

I fully retired six years ago, though I serve as the Chaplain for the Dallas NFL Players Association Alumni Chapter.

Continue reading “Bill Krisher, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1958-1959”

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”