Tag: Steelers

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?

After I retired, I started working at a Steel Heat Treating Plant doing Maintenance/ Repair. The bills don’t stop when you retire and they were hiring.  I continued working there for two years.  I was then able to find an entry level Mechanical Engineering Position at Exel North America in Plymouth, MI.  I have been here for almost three years now and have steadily been promoted and enjoy the problem solving opportunities it brings.

Continue reading “Matt Lentz, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 2007-2008”

First, can you let readers know a bit about what you’ve been doing with yourself since your playing days?

Well, I did a lot of substitute teaching when I got out. But I wasn’t cut out to be a teacher. I didn’t have the patience. I was too used to knocking heads – it wasn’t for me. I liked to work with my hands and like to be outside. If I could I’d get up at eight and work in the yard all day.

I also tended bar after teaching for twelve or thirteen years at the Eagles Club in New Castle, PA.

Continue reading “Darrell Dess, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 1958”

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

Well, my first year I spent trying to decide if I still wanted to play. We just had our oldest daughter and I felt like my perspective had changed.  I felt bad – how could I be a dad if I traveled all over the place. So the first year was pretty much daddy day care, taking care of her. We just had our second girl last April – and my wife jump-started her career afterwards.

Now, I’m finishing my degree at Northwestern in Biomedical Engineering.

Continue reading “Trai Essex, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 2005-2011”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you’ve retired from the NFL, and how you got started doing so?

I retired after that tough playoff loss and starting working for Gannett. When I was thinking of retiring, I was very interested in the newspaper business and looked into that business. It was a 9-5 job – it sounded good! I went there and got some training. They created a new job for me – Carrier Recruitment Supervisor – in their circulation department. At the time we had 11,000 youth carriers in the Detroit area that distributed our newspaper. The biggest in the U.S. I was responsible for recruiting kids to do that. Well, I wasn’t going to stand on street corners recruiting kids. I talked to the people at work about going to the public schools and speaking to the kids there. They said yes after talking to their legal department, and I went and gave twenty minute speeches there telling them how they could be young merchants.

I was there for twenty-eight years. I went on disability at the end of my twenty-eight year – due to a wrist injury I had from football that I re-injured at work. They fused some bones and put a metal rod in…. Now, I’m doing a lot of signings….doing the circuit!

Continue reading “John “Frenchy” Fuqua, Steelers Running Back, 1970-1976″

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

Growing up, as a kid my parents worked a lot – I grew up with my grandmother. My uncle was Wes Chandler – he played over twelve years in the NFL. Football and sports were always big in my family. I was close with my coaches. By high school, I knew I wanted to be a college coach.  I knew I wanted to play football for the Florida Gators.  Now, just a couple of months ago, I was hired by Warner University to be their wide receivers coach.

Continue reading “Dallas Baker, Steelers Wide Receiver, 2007-2009”

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?

Once I retired from the NFL, I moved to Beaumont, Texas and began to work on completing my Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. I then graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. Soon after that, I began to work on a Master’s Degree in Education.

During the time I was working on the Master’s degree, I received a phone call from my former high school football coach. He and the athletic director for Corsicana ISD called and asked if I would be interested in moving back home to teach and coach football in Corsicana. I accepted and immediately moved back home to Corsicana where I graduated and played football for the Corsicana Tigers.

I worked for Corsicana Independent School District as a teacher/coach for four years at the Junior High and the High School. During the time I was teaching and coaching, I continued to work on my Master’s degree at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches Texas. I completed my Master’s degree and accepted an Administrative job at the junior high as an Assistant Principal. I served as an Assistant Principal at Collins Middle School for one year. One year later, I was asked to join my former High School football Head Coach, Don Denbow. Mr. Denbow had just accepted a job as the High School Principal. Mr. Denbow asked me to join him and be a part of his Administrative team at CHS. I served as a High School Assistant Principal for three years under his leadership. Mr. Denbow was promoted to an Administrative Central Office position which left the High School Principal job open. The Superintendent of Cosicana ISD appointed me as the new Corsicana High School Principal of about 1,500 students in grades 9-12. I served as the High School Principal for four years.

The previously mentioned Superintendent retired and Mr. Denbow took over as Superintendent of Schools for Corsicana ISD. Again, he asked if I would work under his leadership. I accepted and became Director of Administration for Corsicana ISD. A couple of years later I became Executive Director of Administration for Corsicana ISD, and currently still hold that position. I think this year will complete 24 years of educational experience for my educational career.

Continue reading “Danzell Lee, Steelers Tight End, 1987”

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself since you’ve retired from the NFL, and how you got started doing so?

I’m still in the speaking circuit. It’s been an ongoing thing since I retired. I’m also the owner of a construction company – RBVetCo – we are a general contractor that does design-build and construction management. We work on both the private and pubic sectors with a focus on healthcare. That takes a lot of my time – we work with the Federal government as a commercial contractor. Thirdly, I own a small insurance company with my son. He really runs that. But between those and my two girls, grandkids…I’m always busy!

Continue reading “Rocky Bleier, Steelers Running Back, 1968-1980”

First, can you let readers know what you have been doing since you’re time in the NFL?

I’m, in media. I’m a producer and analyst for NFL Films and the NFL Network. I’m also the producer for ESPN College Football.

How did that get started?

I tried to get in front of the camera, but if you’re not a big name former athlete it’s hard. I found a niche not a lot get into. I was an imposing guy – I have an MBA in Healthcare Management and own a nursing school.  I wanted to do something I love too.

I’m one of maybe ten guys that got into this. Not many people go in to media trying to learn to be a producer as an athlete. I have insight into the game that most TV people don’t have because I played it. I interned at NFL Films – knowing TV and football makes me a commodity now.

Continue reading “Barrett Brooks, Steelers Offensive Lineman, 2003-2006”