Get To Know Steve Russ

Washington Commanders Linebacker

Coach shares memories of playing and goals for coaching.

BY RESIDENTS AND JUNIOR WRITERS LUCAS & HENRY VOOYS THIS FEATURE SPONSORED BY THE ST. JAMES FC VIRGINIA

We got to interview Steve Russ, current linebacker coach for the Washington Commanders, about his career. He is a two-time Super Bowl Champion who moved to the Grove this summer. He lives with his wife, Betsy; son, Tyler; dog, Marvel; and two cats. His daughter, Mackenzie, is a sophomore in college at the Air Force Academy. What teams did you play for during your career?

I played as a linebacker in college football at The United States Air Force Academy and professionally for the Denver Broncos, and a brief stint with the Los Angeles Extreme in the first XFL. I’ve coached for Ohio University, Syracuse University, Wake Forest University, The United States Air Force Academy, the Carolina Panthers and now the Washington Commanders. How did you get into coaching?

I got into coaching because I’ve always loved sports, had a strong desire to compete, and have seen firsthand the positive impact coaches can have on their athletes. I love to teach and help people do their best with the abilities they have been blessed with.

What did it feel like to be drafted into the NFL?

Being drafted was an amazing experience, especially since it was the Broncos who were just an hour away from USAFA. Blessed and grateful for the chance to play.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love watching or helping my kids with their sports in my free time. I especially love playing catch with my son or throwing to him in batting practice. I’ve always loved to fish, hunt (deer and ducks) and target shoot, though I haven’t had a lot of time or opportunity for that lately. Can you tell us more about your family?

My wife and I met at the Air Force Academy. Our daughter, Mackenzie, is a sophomore at USAFA and plays volleyball there. Our son, Tyler, is a junior at St. Paul VI High School and is committed to playing baseball at USAFA, as well, upon graduation. We have a dog, Marvel, and two cats who don’t like me very much.

What position did you play? Have you ever gotten an interception or fumble recovery?

I played linebacker and was a part of two Super Bowl Championship teams with the Denver Broncos. I’ve gotten INTs and fumble recoveries, but never in the NFL. What is the most surprising difference between coaching and playing?

The difference between coaching and playing is that playing is much more physical, while coaching is much more mental.

Playing football is very hard on your body, but as a player, you have more free time. As a coach, you pour countless hours into helping your players be the best they can be. Coaching is also more of a “chess match” than playing when it comes to devising schemes to help your players be in the best possible situations to succeed. Both of them are highly competitive, no matter how you look at it, though. What is your favorite memory from your football career?

I have too many great memories from playing and coaching to list or rank. It’s been a very rewarding career over the past 21 years. Even during tough times, there is great value in what I do. Sometimes, I feel I’ve done some of my best work in years we don’t have a lot of “success.” It’s hard to separate success from wins and losses, but I believe sometimes a coach needs to. If you are focused on the correct “process,” the “results” will eventually show up. What are you most excited about for your team this season?

I’m a very positive person, so each season, I’m excited to see what our team can achieve and how we can come together as a unit to do just that. Football is the ultimate team sport because there are so many moving parts, players and facets of the game. The best collection of players don’t always win games; it’s the best team and the team that plays the best on each given day that wins. That’s the great challenge for us all, to be the very best we can be, day in and day out. How we practice and prepare throughout any given week really sets the table for us to succeed. Then, after all of our work throughout the week, it all comes to a head when the ball is kicked off on Sunday. There is no feeling like it; the highest of highs and sometimes the lowest of lows. It’s all part of it, but we get 24 hours to feel good or bad about the outcome after the game, then we flush it and move on to the next challenge. Who is the funniest athlete you know?

The funniest athlete I’ve ever known, and I’ve known a lot of them, was Keith Burns. He was a fellow LB of mine with the Broncos. He was the life of the locker room and a great teammate and player.

Thanks, Steve, for answering our questions, and good luck this season!