Eddie Faulkner was just 9 years old when he first started playing football in the fields behind Muncie Central High School. He went on to become a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball and running track in high school, but football remained his jam.
“Indiana has always been such a heavy basketball state, but football in Muncie took root during that time period as we had several Division I players then,” said Faulkner, a Muncie Central graduate who was recruited by several Big Ten schools before going on to play tailback for the University of Wisconsin, where he went to five bowl games and won two Rose Bowls between 1996 and 2000.
He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and then the Edmonton Eskimos. He started coaching in 2002.
“Originally I got into coaching to impact kids’ lives and have a way of connecting with them in order to help them succeed with their ambitions and goals,” said Faulkner, who comes from a family of educators, including his mom, Ermalene.
“Coaching is a form of teaching, and I had a passion for it,” said Faulkner, the current Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach. “That segued into a love of matching wits against like professionals who fancy themselves good at their profession, and so the competitive spirit is also a driving factor in what I like about coaching.”
Faulkner, who was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in June of this year, has always cared a great deal about community. That’s why for years he and his family have donated holiday meals and gifts to families in need. This year, he launched the nonprofit Team Faulk Inc. with a mission to positively impact young lives by providing structured exposure to accomplished professionals across educational, athletic, relational and societal platforms to support the achievement of their maximum potential.
Team Faulk includes board members, many of whom are family. Faulkner is the president, owner and founder. His wife, Anissa, is vice president, treasurer and secretary. His oldest son, Eddie Faulkner IV, is second vice president, co-owner, graphic designer and camp coach. An All-American and academic All-American football player at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, Eddie IV was also a rookie mini-camp invitee for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His daughter, Madison, a junior at Indiana University Bloomington, is co-owner, board member and quality control director. His mother, Ermalene, is chief of staff. His sister, Edie Reaves, is senior adviser. Jason Delk provides legal counsel. His niece, Kennedy Davis, designed and set up the website. His father, Eddie Faulkner Jr., is also heavily involved with the organization. The Faulkners also have a 9-year-old son named Xavier.
When Faulkner was growing up in Muncie, he attended a free football camp for youth that was run by Muncie legend Dave Duerson, who went on to play for the Chicago Bears in the 1980s. Even as a kid, he realized how cool this was and vowed to one day do the same. That dream came to fruition in June 2024 when he held the first Youth Development Football Camp. The fact that it’s 100% free makes it even more special.
“We want to remove any barriers that would keep kids from coming, and that’s usually money,” Faulkner said.
In June 2025, they held the second annual Team Faulk Youth Development Camp, where more than 300 kids ages 8 to 18 preregistered. The threat of rain kept numbers down, but Faulkner said that doesn’t matter.
“If we got 500 kids there, that would be a blessing, but if we affect one kid in a positive way, then it’s worth it,” he said.
Next year, they plan to open the camp to kids ages 6 to 18.
Every year, Faulkner uses his contacts to build a dynamite coaching and mentorship roster. He invites former players from Muncie Central who have gone on to a variety of careers, from NFL players and coaches to engineers.
This year, former Muncie Southside star and two-time Super Bowl champion Brandon Gorin attended, as did former Central and Ball State wide receiver Louis Johnson, a member of the Bearcats’ 2002 sectional championship team. In addition, former Cardinals tight end Darius Hill, defensive back Chris Allen and linebacker Wendell Brown helped, as did current Cardinal quarterback Kiael Kelly.
“It’s amazing to get a bunch of people from near and far to support,” said Faulkner, noting that people came from California, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Wisconsin. This year, Jaylen Warren, a running back for the Steelers, made an appearance. Roughly 98% of these people offer their time for free.
“At this camp, kids see guys who stood where they are and played on these same fields. Those guys applied themselves and went on to do great things,” Faulkner said. “The message is that they can do great things, too.”
The camp is run a bit like the NFL season—from the Combine all the way through the Super Bowl. They start off the day with Combine drills, followed by a speaker. Then they run through some practice drills and hear from another speaker. That’s followed by a Q&A with former or current college athletes where campers can ask recruiting or academic questions. Then they have a competition where the best athletes are selected. It creates a real atmosphere of what it feels like to make an NFL team. They end the day with a competition and awards presentation before leaving with a swag bag of goodies.
Brandon Crawford, a former Ball State football player, has brought his children to the camp both years. He said they love the family feel, the welcoming atmosphere and the competitive spirit. His daughter was named MVP.
“It’s great that Coach Faulkner has the opportunity, with all the relationships he’s built with people over the years through the fraternity of football, to give back to this community that raised and nourished him,” Crawford said. “I think Coach Faulkner has a lot of blessings ahead of him as far as what he’s trying to accomplish.”
For more information, visit teamfaulkinc.com or email teamfaulkinc@gmail.com.
