Back in Pittsburgh

March third we traveled back to Tuff's hometown of Colstrip to stay with his family for a few more days, then onward to Minnesota for a few days with my family.

My best friend Rachel was visiting her parents in Staples the same time we were coming through so we were blessed to see each other. Below my nephews Beck and Finn and niece Bo posed for a picture with Tuff and Rachel's son Eli.


The Grove Family (Jeremy, Rachel and Eli)


We got together with Rachel's family (my second parents) at Tower Pizza, the main go-to eatery in Staples.

Eventually we made the drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and flew out of Milwaukee airport to Kalispell, Montana for the Whitefish Winter Classic, a fundraiser that raises money for transportation and lodging for sick children traveling to bigger hospitals. Montana does not have a children's hospital or any major hospitals so when a child is very sick, their family usually travels to Denver or Seattle. Doug Betters, former Miami Dolphin, started the Winter Classic 25 years ago. He invites about a dozen NFL players to participate in the Classic as celebrities to help raise the necessary funds.

Last summer I made a post about an RV getting stuck trying to go to the baggage area of the airport...well it happened again, only this time a semi. What was he thinking?


Flying into Kalispell, Montana


On Friday as part of the Winter Classic, the players ride to the top of Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort and sign autographs and interact with anyone entering the lodge.


After signing autographs, the University of Montana group posed for a picture. Each of the guys below played football for the Griz and now play in the NFL.


The Winter Classic also put on a Play 60 event, an NFL initiative to get kids moving at least 60 minutes a day.


Dodge ball


The photo below made the Daily Inter Lake paper. Its Tuff holding a four year-old as a shield while playing dodge ball at the Play 60 event. Tuff throuroughly enjoys playing with kids and he doesn't tire out like most adults.


The final night of the Winter Classic


We flew back to Milwaukee at 9:00pm Sunday evening and drove through the night back to Pittsburgh so Tuff could make his 9:00am team meeting. Off-season work-outs officially started.

A special thanks to all who we visited over the last few months. Thank you for a place to stay (or offering a place to stay) and for working with our unscheduled schedule. With your hospitality and love our off-season was very blessed.

The second half of February was very full. Tuff continued to speak at schools and programs. We also tried to visit as many family and friends as possible. Tuff has a HUGE family so this is a challenge sometimes.

Tuff and the Hardin junior high boys basketball team pose goofy for a photo.


Lodge Grass Diabetes/Drug and Alcohol Awareness group


Tuff's grade school friends Lonny and Mike. These Lodge Grass Indians go way back.


Tuff's Great Uncle Gus and family in Lame Deer


A gathering for pizza in Hardin with friends and lots of family


February 21st we left for our old college town, Missoula. We still have dear friends there and had a chance to visit with most of them.


One of our favorite date nights in college was to go to the University Center and play ping pong and billiards. For old times sake we met up with some college friends to reminisce. I used to beat Tuff consistently at ping pong but this year he had time to sharpen his skills. The Steelers facility has a ping pong table and Tuff plays almost everyday after work.


While Tuff and the boys played billiards, Johanna and I (two former Lady Griz) hiked the 'M'. The 'M' is a mile long switchback trail along the front of Mount Sentinel which leads to a giant cement 'M' for Montana on the face of the mountain. Its located at the base of campus so many people hike it daily.


Below we are with friends eating at Hu Hot, one of my favorite places. The two people on the end, Gordan and Joyce Cummings, are like family to us. They hosted us for Thanksgiving meals while we were in college.

On February 24th we flew from Missoula to Dallas, Texas for a conference called PAO (professional athlete outreach). The picture below is from the airplane shortly after takeoff.


The conference was really rewarding and full of challenging information and revelation. We had a chance to see many old teammates and friends from all over the NFL. Below, Casey and Tuff are being their usual goofy selves. Casey and Tuff were teammates last year in Tennessee.


Some more Tennessee friends and old teammates that we miss


Tuff and his former Miami teammate Samkon


A large group shot of mostly Steelers players and their wives


The Steeler men


We flew back to Missoula and headed to Bozeman to stay a day with a Griz rival, Travis Lulay of the Montana State Bobcats and his wife. Tuff and Travis became friends while trying out for the New Orleans Saints in the summer of 2008.

Now we are slowly making our way back east to Pittsburgh. Hopefully the weather is a little more cooperative than it was coming west.

A Month in Montana

In late January, Tuff and I visited Minnesota for a few days. We also got the chance to hang out with my friend Rachel and little sister Cydney at her college, North Dakota State University. We took her and a friend to eat Thai food for their first time.


Tuff and I hit the road the next day from Fargo. It was on his birthday! We made it to Colstrip, Montana that night and spent the next week and a few days with his family. One of the Sundays there, we spoke at his parent's church for the opening of service.

While in Colstrip we also got a tour of the coal mine where a lot of Tuff's family work including Tuff's dad and cousin Dale, who took us on the tour.


Tuff got to blast some coal with the crew.



Below Tuff is with his niece Kaydee and in the second picture his niece Amara.


The braids from Mexico are out!


Since the first week of February we have been in Billings, MT staying with Tuff's cousin Donnie and wife Kassia. Below Tuff and Donnie are in their Sunday best.


Tuff's Griz teammate and roommate Kevin was in town on business with his wife, so we got to hang out with him. He came to a church service in Crow Agency with us and got to see some of Tuff's old stomping grounds.

Tuff spoke to several schools last week and will speak to more this week. His message is on self-discipline, hard work, and sacrifice to become successful in dreams and aspirations. He also tells the importance of having dreams and setting goals. We are enjoying the time on the road.

Huntley Project


Billings West Football


Bitter Root Elementary
(Tuff with his nieces Emma and Megan)



On a side note, Tuff and I purchased Five Finger Shoes. They are mainly for him but he thought it would be fun for me to use them too. We work out in them and they strengthen our feet and ankles. Tuff was inspired by his teammate Troy, who trained barefooted in the off-season but switched to the Five Fingers. I can vouch that they are working because after the first work-out with the Five Fingers shoes my foot cramped the instant I removed them, for two straight minutes.


We do not have internet all the time so my blogging is a little more difficult. Until next time.