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ARTICLE
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Where Are They Now? 1974-81 Resides in
What is your current job and what does it
entail? I work at the financial services firm of
Edward Jones. I provide financial services advice and sales to individuals,
businesses and non-profits relative to their investments and insurance needs.
How
helpful is it still being in There are two benefits to it. One if
having some positive notoriety in the area. It helps getting in front of the
people I want to talk to. The second is a lot of people don't have a
preconceived high regard for athlete's mental capabilities. If I can get in
front of somebody and highlight my expertise and ability it's even viewed
better. Were you involved in the business world during your playing
days? When I was playing I got my real estate
license and was involved in the real estate business. I did that for a couple of
years. Then I went to work for a commercial property and casualty insurance
company. It was a different financial arrangement back then working in the
off-season was a plus. Would you encourage today's player to explore
avenues? I think it's tremendously important.
Perhaps not so much for the financial necessity of it but for the eventual
growth of the individual in that football in particular is a very short
career.
What is the fondest memory from your playing
career? Just the experience of postponing
adulthood. It's hard work and there is lots you have to sacrifice to do it, but
there is nothing better than being able to play a sport and be paid for it. It
is a postponement of a lot of the reality that life is. Being able to hang out
with the guys and playing a sport I enjoyed for a lot longer than most people
get the opportunity to. What was your best game? In Super Bowl XIII I didn't have a great
statistical game, I just caught a pass or two, but it was a culmination of a lot
of different things and that Super Bowl win was very satisfying. Statistic-wise
it would be a Monday night game against the Houston Oilers in 1978. It's hard to
identify a game or a moment because the importance to me is the aggregate of it
all. It was a tremendous experience. What did you like most about playing for the
Steelers? It was the group of guys that were the
Steelers. We didn't have a lot of turnover of guys who were traded so it was a
significant nucleus of players who were there for the eight years I was there.
They were amazing people athletically, personality, work ethic. It was the group
that was there. Teammate you were closest to during your playing days and
why? My roommate was Loren Toews, it would be him and Ray
Pinney. Those are the tw Do you still keep in touch with former teammates?
There are a lot of events during the
year that we go to for charity and that is a lot of
fun. Who was the biggest character on the
team? It would have to be Terry Bradsahw. He
is a natural entertainer. We got to enjoy him entertaining as a football player
and now as a commentator. There is nothing about him that isn't natural. He has
fallen in to the perfect work for himself. He is a natural, entertaining
guy. Who is the one player you think should definitely be on the
75th season team? I can only respond to the people who
were there during my tenure and I think a lot of those guys are going to be on
the team. I think the number one person would be Joe Greene, even though I
didn't experience the beginning of his career. I can't think of anyone that
epitomized the Steelers or was looked upon with greater respect than Joe. He was
it. He was the Rock of Gibraltar. Do you still follow the Steelers and if so, how closely?
I follow them as a fan now. I usually
won't miss a game. I usually listen on radio during the regular season. I listen
on the radio while doing other things. Once they get in the playoffs I will pay
attention watching the games. I am still a fan. Visit
the Steelers
Alumni page for more
on the team's former players |
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