POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2023, Steelers Takeaways: Players’ Memories Through the Decades

REPOST BY: MGB INC. with permission.

Interview with Kelvin Middleton, former Pittsburgh Steeler, #37

First, can you let me know what you’ve been doing since your football days?

I have been employed at a private correctional facility near Macon, Georgia – that’s where I’m originally from. Once I retired from the NFL I moved back to Macon after my short stint with the Steelers. I worked originally with the Macon-Bibb County parks and recreation department – I did that for 18 years as a community center recreation director and am now doing the same thing really for the inmate population at the correctional institution.

Was the post-football adjustment difficult?

It was very difficult for any professional athlete – you’re pursuing your childhood dream. I played for two years in the USFL before playing for the Steelers. I was second-team all-USFL – I was successful in the USFL. I played for Oklahoma when we had Doug Williams playing quarterback. We merged after that with the Arizona team and I was leading the team in tackles and second in interceptions before I got injured with two games left in the season.

What happened after that?

I tried out for the Raiders actually and thought I had made the team, but I was one of the last defensive backs they ended up letting go. When I was in Oklahoma, Woody Widenhofer was the Raiders’ coach; and, the Raiders coaches actually came to practice to scout some guys and told Coach Widenhofer I was a good cornerback – that they thought I could play.

When the USFL folded, we all became free agents of course.  I was living in Tulsa at the time and the Steelers were coming to the University of Tulsa for their pro day. My agent got me a private workout with the Steelers and they eventually signed me after that, in ’86. That was my first camp there.

Willie Jeffries was my college coach – he coached Donnie Shell too. Coach Jeffries had a good relationship with Bill Nunn, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he put in a good word for me with Mr. Nunn.

Did anyone take you under their wing at all in ’86?

Donnie Shell and I had that connection with Coach Jeffries. I called Coach to get Donnie’s number then called Donnie and told him who I was. Donnie invited me to drive out to see him in South Carolina, and I did. I spent a couple of days with him, working out and learning as much as I could from him. He told me not to try and overdo the working out stuff – and what to expect from the mental aspect of the game.

How did that camp go?

It was an outstanding experience. That may have been my best camp of my career – I was in the best shape I was ever in. I was prepared physically and mentally and knew Coach Noll and Tony Dungy were high on me. I was going to make the team but they brought in Jessie Britt – a wide receiver. And in practice Jesse dove down on my ankle blocking me – well after the play was over. It was severely sprained – I couldn’t practice after that. Tony Dungy called to me in his office and told me I could file an injury grievance, or they could waive me and I could rehab and they would try to re-sign me.

A month later they brought me back in for a tryout to see how my ankle was. But around the same time they signed Lupe Sanchez. The funny thing about Lupe was he played  in Arizona and they didn’t even protect him when they merged with Oklahoma. They didn’t sign me and kept him. Dick Haley said he didn’t think my ankle was fully healed.  I don’t know. Maybe. I know Jed Hughes was coaching there and he was with Sanchez at UCLA. I think maybe Jed pulled for Sanchez. Lupe was also a kick returner and played safety. Maybe they just wanted a different kind of player. I just knew I was a better defensive back than he was then.

But you came back the following season…

In 1987 I came back in great shape. That year they drafted Rod Woodson, Delton Hall and Thomas Everett. Still though, I made the team. But then the strike hit. It was bittersweet – I made the team but the strike ruined the season.

Earnest Jackson and I had the same agent. He didn’t cross the picket line but I didn’t feel comfortable going on strike. I decided to go on strike at first anyway – I should have listened to my own thoughts on it.

Chris Sheffield and I were good friends then and we finally decided to cross the picket line and play. The Steelers were playing in Atlanta and we were down there anyway. We called and told them we wanted to play and Dick Haley said he’d bring our gear down to Atlanta for us. But Dwayne Woodruff called me afterwards and he persuaded us not to cross the picket line after all. So the Steelers got upset with me after that.

What happened afterwards?

Later on I told the team again I wanted to cross picket line. I went up to Pittsburgh to and while I was there I worked out with the vets. We just wanted to work out together and stay in shape.  Well, those guys persuaded me again not to cross the line. The Steelers were upset after that and released me.  I was also coming off of injury too. I got injured in the first game of the season against the 49ers when I pulled my quad. I wasn’t able to play after the second game of the season.

Any fun memories stand out to you of your time there?

Donnie really took me under his wing there, I remember that. We’d go out to some restaurants together and he showed me the city. We were a close-knit group of defensive backs.

Greg Lloyd, Chris Sheffield, Donald Herron – he was Greg’s roommate – we all lived in the Allegheny Towers and hung out together and clowned around and had fun. I really enjoyed those times. It wasn’t anything specific – just spending that time together.

I do remember in training camp – John Rienstra was the big first-round offensive lineman. Well, he was pulling on a play and I diagnosed it pretty quickly and before he could get going I collided with him and stood him up. After the play Coach Noll came up to him and asked him if he was alright. Not me, the small defensive back. He asked John – the big lineman.

Sending a subtle message to John?

He was definitely sending a message to John! I got a kick out of that. He even had a smirk on his face and gave me that Coach Noll head nod afterwards.

I really enjoyed my time there. I’m thankful for the opportunity they gave me. I didn’t have the career I wanted to have but the Rooney family and the organization provided me with the opportunity. They are a great family and gave me the opportunity to try and achieve a childhood dream.

Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.  

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