Education
He attended high school at Compton High, graduating in 1973.
He attended high school at Compton High, graduating in 1973.
He was the seventh of ten children born to Obediah and Georgia Mae Cole. He furthered his education at the University of New Mexico where he became an All American and the first person to be a first round draft pick out of the University. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 21st pick in the first round of the draft.
At Pittsburgh, he was a part of the Steel Curtain defense, replacing Andy Russell as right outside linebacker.
He played linebacker and defensive end for twelve seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in two Super Bowls - Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. Mr.
Cole was in the starting lineup in Super Bowl XIV in 1980 and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1984. He was runner up for Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XIV. He played one season, 1988, with the New York Jets.
Currently, Mr. Cole is a public speaker.
His presentations focus on issues important to corporate groups, business sales teams, sports teams, churches, schools and prisons. He has been a keynote speaker and emcee for many events. Mr. Cole is an entrepreneur and trained at the Ford Motor Institute to be a dealer.
In addition, he has served on several charitable boards, including The American Heart Association, The March of Dimes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and others
The mission of the Foundation is to save lives by educating people about prostate cancer, bringing awareness to prostate cancer and free PSA testing. Mr. Cole is a prostate cancer survivor.
He resides in Washington County, south of Pittsburgh.
He is a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.