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

I’ve been involved in training and coaching – working with younger men to help with their athletic development – across all sports, but of course a lot of football. I did some combine work but not as much lately. It’s mostly working with kids at the high school level and in youth programs.

I also did some coaching at the high school level as well.

What coaches and coaching influences affected you most as a coach and trainer?

I wouldn’t say just one. It’s a combination. You learn something from every coach – even my high school coach. In Pittsburgh, Dungy, Noll….and Jimmy Johnson in Dallas. And a lot from the assistant coaches.

One of the most influential coaches was my secondary coach at Baylor – Rick Johnson. He was one of the most intelligent coaches I ever had – I learned so much from him. I was ready to go at the collegiate level because of him. He showed me how to approach the game – how to prepare. That was my edge in the NFL – it’s what kept me around as long as I did in the NFL.  That’s one of the things missing in today’s coaches and programs. You have to get it across to players, or teach them to do it themselves. But getting prepared for the game was my edge.

You won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in college, yet dropped to the fourth round. What happened?

Well, it was basically because I pulled my hamstring at the combine. I pulled up with about ten yards left I the 40. I still ran a 4.51 40, but I couldn’t do the rest of the workouts. And it was hurt bad enough that when the came down for me pro day I still couldn’t work out. The scouts said that would hurt me and drop me a couple of rounds.

I was also smaller than they would like. My ability to play should have shown up more to them, but they liked taller guys. I was only 5’9″ – safety was my only real position. Some felt it wasn’t adequate for that size. But again, I was prepared, and I was able to show them – and now the kids I work with – the value of perseverance and preparation.

How much did that bother you though, dropping in the draft?

I didn’t care. I just felt blessed to be drafted. I knew that if I did drop – and I did as I was projected to go in the second round – that when I got there I’d show you why I should have been drafted sooner. It is what it is…

Who helped mentor you as a rookie – both on and off the field?

Again, the coaches really. In college, Coach Taft really showed me what to do and not do. For most guys, it’s really about the things they were doing the wrong way. I never really had that. My draft class – Rod Woodson, Delton Hall, Greg Lloyd, Nickerson…we came to work. It was different than some of the guys today. The veterans now know more about you on and off the field before you even get there.

Still, Stallworth and Donnie Shell – we learned a lot from them. Shell was the veteran in the secondary – he was a leader for me. And having Tony Dungy as your secondary coach doesn’t hurt either! But I was already prepped by my coaches in college and high school. I listened to those guys, and that translates well in the NFL. Especially on keeping the right company – watching who you hang out with and the need to break away from the people and things that don’t help you with your goals.

Do you have any funny memories of your time in Pittsburgh?

Not much specifically. Delton Hall – he used to get into a lot of fights. I remember when we were in Station Square in Pittsburgh. I was standing there near the bathroom, and he just flew out sliding at my feet. I don’t know what happened, but I just remember standing there looking down at him, then just went on doing what I was doing!

But mostly, we had fun playing cards after practice, stuff like that.

You were traded in 1992 after a holdout. How did that all come about?

Nobody is happy when things come down to that. My contract was being negotiated – at the same time they had made some changes to the front office. My first contracts were negotiated ok, and I knew the next one was coming up and I had had a pretty good season. We started negotiations-  and remember, there was no free agency then. You really couldn’t do anything if you were unhappy except to not play. Well, we went to them and they were known to have a very tough negotiating office then. We wanted to be treated fairly and went in with our requests. They loved their option years then and had their numbers with an option year after year two, and we had our numbers. At the time, you base your numbers on the other guys on your team. You really didn’t look at guys on other teams so much, it was more about who was making what on your own team.

Well, I told the Steelers I’d take their numbers for two years, but not the option year after the two years they insisted on. That wouldn’t have been fair. But they wouldn’t budge or look at our numbers. Then they said some bad things, we probably did too…..no one would budge. My thing was, at least be men and talk – negotiate. They have their right not to I guess – but I had no rights. There was no free agency then. They just said take it or leave it. So I said this is it and I wouldn’t play. I’m, not coming – I’ll sit out. I didn’t have any other leverage at the time.

After that, Chuck Noll stepped down and Bill Cowher was hired. He called me that afternoon and said that “Thomas. you’re my free safety! We want your here.” I liked the staff they put together there. Cowher, LeBeau as the secondary coach and Dom Capers as the defensive coordinator. Cowher told me they’d figure a way to get things done. So I went up for mini camp. I tried to do all I could to show them I wanted to be there. I didn’t want to go – I was excited about the new coaching staff and built great bonds with the players there.

So, back to camp…..after I sat out the first three preseason games and kept training in Dallas, I watched a Monday Night game and Al Michaels started talking about Reggie Brown and the start of what would be free agency.  I think the Steelers panicked – they were afraid they’d lose me for nothing and traded me to Dallas. It’s funny. When I think of the dollars we were negotiating over then versus what players make now – it was like pennies! I was blessed that teams wanted me – Dallas did. And it was right here at home. It was a good  move on all parts. The Steelers got a fourth round pick, and I got to be a part of two Super Bowl teams.

So, if you could impart any wisdom on players entering the game today, what would that be?

Prepare yourself. Football is different than it used to be – it’s not as physically grueling. Teams can’t do what they used to be able to do. But there are more bad things that can happen to players off the field. So be with the right people and do the right things. Abide by the rules. It’s not difficult. Just abide by the rules in place and play your ass off. Do those things and make plays and the teams and players will love you. Talk is cheap. Keep your nose clean and let your plays do the talking!

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