Steelers – Page 86 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Justin Vincent, Steelers Running Back, 2007-2010

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days, and how you got started in this post- N FL career?

Well I’m the Associate Director of Player Personnel and the Director of Player Development here at LSU. I came back to finish up my degree and ran into Coach Miles and the rest is history.

How has your time in the NFL helped?

Being in the NFL help me mature and mold me into the man I am today. It makes you grow up fast and hold yourself and other accountable.

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Reggie Barnes, Steelers Linebacker, 1993

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

I’ve been out of the game and was in the car business for twenty years. I was a GM of a car dealership and then life happened. I had a couple of kids, a son who is sixteen and plays football at Southlake Carroll here in Texas, and a daughter who is a freshman at the University of Oklahoma and is on the rowing team. So, I switched gears. Football and sports can be very demanding. I’m now currently employed at a lumber company in Grand Rapids. I’m the account manager here in Saginaw, TX. I’m enjoying spending time with my children.

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Bryant McFadden, Steelers Cornerback, 2005-2008, 2010-2011

First, can you let readers know about your new broadcasting career – why you retired from the NFL, how you got started in broadcasting and what specifically you are covering?

My last year in Pittsburgh, I tore my hamstring and I never got 100% healthy. That injury lingered with me after the season so I decided to shut it down and retire.

I actually got started in broadcasting while I was playing in Pittsburgh. I had my own TV show called the BMAC Corner that gave me the opportunity to talk about sports and bring some of my teammates on the show. So, when I retired, I wanted to get involved in sports in some way, so I did an internship at a local station in Miami. I used the reels from that station and sent it to 120 Sports and the rest is history. At 120 Sports, I cover all sports, not just football.

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Steeler Players’ comments on Dick LeBeau

Darren Perry: “Dick was great. He gave me great advice – to not get caught up in the political stuff – its such an insecure business. I’m so glad he told me that, There’s so much insecurity and self-preservation with these adults in coaching. It helped me to keep above that stuff. It doesn’t matter – just do your job and work to develop the players. I always held on to that.”

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Mortty Ivy, WVU/Steelers Linebacker, 2011-2012

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?

Well, I have been trying to do better for my two daughters and family by getting into work that I enjoy – work that involves helping others.

How hard was it for you to adjust to the CFL and to non-NFL-related work? What heaped you make that adjustment?

Playing in the CFL was just a faster paced game but it’s still football. I just strive to be great at everything I do.

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Jeff Reed, Steelers Kicker, 2002-2010

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL life. What you’ve been doing since your time with the Steelers and NFL – especially as it relates to the football kicking camps?

Post NFL life has been interesting to say the least…i found myself depressed for nearly 18 months as I loved playing the game and missed it…after I finally snapped out of the “darkness,” I realized i had a degree from UNC in journalism…why not use it!!! I have not always made the best decisions in my life, as I admit I’m human…I helped so many people whom I crossed paths with and got bit by two of them in a very harsh way…”God forgive them” Ii say on a daily basis…

I have moved on to bigger and better things and have to once again resort back to working my way to the top, creating my own happiness, and praying for my family, which includes my parents, sister, grandmother, girlfriend, two beautiful daughters, and the pets! I have become closer to God in the last six weeks…wow what a smart decision that was…my whole outlook on life has changed…I struggle many times, but i also have realized that money does not solely create my happiness as I once thought…

I am on CBS Sports radio in Charlotte, NC…I have my own website, www.thejeffreedshow.com, which features my funny and sometimes serious podcast “Barely Controlled Radio”…I work with some local high school kickers and watch them succeed through their drive and extreme dedication to learning and mastering fundamentals and “the little things”…I am in the process of doing some radio in Myrtle Beach, SC…i’m working on dedicating lots of time to a charity of choice…hell, maybe I’ll kick a football one more time for someone…I haven’t lost it…and I’ll always give back to Steeler Nation and do as many appearances as possible…motivational speaking makes me “move”…those individuals/fans make me feel rather special!

I will give a special shoutout to Gene Muriaty, the man who taught me how to kick a football properly and the man i work for at National Kicking Service camps along the east coast.

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Jimmy Smith, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1977-1982

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days and how you got started in this career?

I am in the automotive business with Group1 publically traded fortune 500 company. I started in the business over 20 years ago and that transpired to me and my partner owning Saturn dealerships in Texas for 12 years.

What about your time in the NFL helped you in your post football career, and how hard was it for you to adjust to the post professional football life?

Any business is competitive and obviously so is the NFL. I found out that the daily repetition – ie practice – will win out at the end of the day in business life as well. I tell my team we are going to better prepared and outwork the competition every day.

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Johnny Dirden, Steelers Return Specialst, 1981

First, can you let readers know about your post-NFL work – how you got started and what aspects of the job do you enjoy the most and why?

Over past thirty years, it was difficult getting work but have settled in with a great career with Oxygen and medical related equipment sales, for past fourteen years.

How did your time in the NFL help prepare you for your post-NFL life?

Post NFL life was challenging to say the least. But somehow managed.

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Mike Vrabel, Steelers Linebacker, 1997-2000

First, can you let readers know about the 2nd and 7 Foundation – how it got started and what your role is with the organization?

Ryan Miller, a former teammate at Ohio State came up with the idea as a way to give back after our time together at school. My involvement was very high until recently when I began coaching.

Why did you choose to align yourself with this particular cause, and how can readers help support the organization?

We were very familiar with the right to read week after participating in it through Ohio State as players and we were comfortable going into second grade classrooms with books. We eventually decided to write out own series of books to read and give to each child. People can contribute online at secondandseven.com, or just check out the website and spread the word.

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Kordell Stewart, Steelers Quarterback, 1995-2002

First, can you let readers know what you are doing with yourself these days?

Well, lately I just ran my first annual combine and had about 110 kids for the city I live in. It’s a combine more than a football camp – thought next year I may make it into a camp too – have it be a part of something more.

Who is the camp for?

It’s for fourth through twelfth grade kids – to help them get ready for middle school, high school, or college. These are kids that didn’t get as much attention as some others – it helps give them an idea of what it entails to get to the next level. It’s an opportunity for them to see themselves on film – to allow for them to find success and fight the right school that’s the right fit for them.

I just came out of a divorce and have custody of my son. I’m taking care of him so that’s my biggest thing. It’s been a Summer of transition. So not doing anything else major – I want my son to be active. Right now he loves soccer. He likes baseball, basketball….not as much football. I’m trying not to put a lot of pressure on him. I just want him to be a kid.

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