Dick Hoak-Pittsburgh Steeler Icon

[LeonardRachiele]

1961-At Yankee Stadium vs New York Giants-Week 10
From the halfback option, Hoak fired a 13 yard touchdown pass to Preston Carpenter. Otherwise, a bad game for the Steelers losing 42 to 21.

1962 at Forbes Field. Defeated the Minnesota Vikings 39 to 31 Week 8
The Steelers had gone ahead 32 to 31 kicking a field goal with seconds left in the game. After the ensuing kickoff, Steeler Defensive back Willie Daniel intercepted a pass and returned it to the Viking 18. Quarterback Bobby Layne could have taken in ball, knelt, and the game would have been over. However, we recall that Layne was always a risk taker and wanted his team to impress others. Layne handed off to Hoak who went 18 yards for a touchdown.

1963-At Forbes Field in Pittsburgh winning 23 to 10 over the St Louis Cardinals. Week 3
Trailing for the entire game, the Steelers, now behind 10 to 6, were at the 50 yard line with six minutes left in the game. Using running plays and short screen passes, Pittsburgh moved the ball to the six yard line, first and goal. The Cardinals were about ready to collapes and it was a beautiful sight. Taking the hand off from Ed Brown, Dick Hoak went around into the End Zone giving the Steelers a 13 to 10 lead. Two fumbles and some more nice running from Hoak lead to another touchdown and a field goal. For the day, Hoak gained 85 yards in 23 carries

1964. Hoak didn’t play much in 1964 gaining only 258 yards. The Steelers acquired Clarence Peaks from the Eagles. John Henry Johnson and Peaks made for a dynamic duo. The Steelers were 5-9 in 1964, last in passing but fourth in rushing. The three teams ahead of the Steelers in yards rushing, the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Colts, and Cleveland Browns, all had great passing games to take pressure off their runners.

Week 10. At Yankee Stadium the Steelers defeated the New York Giants 44 to 17.
This was the third highest point total for a game in Pittsburgh history and the highest points per game for Buddy Parker in his eight years as Head Coach of the Team. With eight minutes left in the game, the Giants scored a touchdown with quarterback Gary Wood running the ball in from the seven yard line. There was no cause for alarm since Pittsburgh was still in front 37 to 10. After the Wood touchdown, John Burrell, from the Steelers Special Team, covered an onside kick at the Giant 49. Coach Parker inserted Hoak in the backfield resting Clarence Peakes, kept John Henry Johnson in the game, and put Bill Nelson at quarterback in place of Ed Brown. Brown had best game of the season even though he only played three quarters. His stats were 10 for 13 for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

Dick Hoak ran 27 yards to the Giants 20. John Henry carried to the 6. And Hoak went around end for a touchdown with no one even touching him. The score was now 44 to 10. The Steelers got the ball again their own 22 after a three and out. Buddy Parker put Tommy Wade, a rookie from Texas, in at quarterback. Wade went back and fired a long arching pass to Hoak, who caught the ball in stride at the Giants 35. Hoak went the rest of the way for a well executed 78 yard touchdown pass and run. This would have been a highlight of Hoak’s career. Unfortunately, an illegal shift ruined the play. Ed Holler went in punt formation but the ball flew over his head. Longtime Steeler Nemisis Erich Barnes covered the ball in the End Zone for a New York touchdown. Instead of 51 to 10 the final score was 44 to 17. Still it was a great game to watch if you’re a Steeler fan.

1965 Week 4 at Cleveland. The 0-3 Steelers were heavy underdogs to the Browns. Steelers lost 24 to 19.

The Browns won on a last second touchdown pass, Frank Ryan to Gary Collins, 18 yards on their famous post pattern. Dick Hoak kept the Steelers in the game with touchdown runs of 54 and 40 yards. Now there were four minutes left in the game and Cleveland was punting from the ten yard line. Roy Jefferson fielded the ball and ran 66 yards to the Pittsburgh four. Dick Hoak took the hand off and easily went in for the touchdown and a 19 to 17 lead. For what happened after that, read the first sentence of this paragraph. This was only 100 game for a runner in 1965; Hoak had 114.

1968 This was Dick Hoak’s best season with 858 yards. He was the fourth leading rusher in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl.

Game 5 at Washington DC
Dick Hoak had 12 carries for 115 yards Steelers lost 16 to 13. With two minutes left in the game, the Steelers had the ball fourth and one from the DC 9. Coach Bill Austin ordered a field goal, which was down right stupid. With an 0-4 record another loss or a tie is meaning less. Any how they missed the field goal and were now 0-5

Game 6 at Pittsburgh and again they lost 16 to 12 missing an extra point and two field goals. Nevertheless, this was a great game due to the performance of Dick Hoak. He turned in one of the best games in Pittsburgh history; DH carried 16 runs for 166 yards including a 77 yard touchdown rage. He gave fans that day something to remember.

Game 13 at Dallas Steelers lost to 28 to 7
The Steelers had only one sustained drive with Hoak gaining 114 yards.

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[Bryan]

I remember Hoak as a long-time RB coach for the Steelers and Chuck Noll. He wasn't big, fast or strong. His big year in 1968 came late in his career, and he followed it up with a few more mediocre seasons. He was a running QB in college, and perhaps the most interesting aspect of his 1968 season was that he had 16 pass attempts. He was like Tom Matte had Tom Matte played for a terrible team like the Steelers instead of a good team like the Colts.

[Bob Gill]

The Steelers had gone ahead 32 to 31 kicking a field goal with seconds left in the game. After the ensuing kickoff, Steeler Defensive back Willie Daniel intercepted a pass and returned it to the Viking 18. Quarterback Bobby Layne could have taken in ball, knelt, and the game would have been over. However, we recall that Layne was always a risk taker and wanted his team to impress others. Layne handed off to Hoak who went 18 yards for a touchdown.

NFL teams holding a lead didn't kneel down for the last play or two in those days; it just wasn't considered. That didn't start until sometime in the 1970s, and it was not a universal practice until that fumbled exchange between Joe Pisarcik and Larry Csonka in, what, 1979?

[RichardBak]

I've never liked that "victory formation" stuff. Boring as hell to watch 3 straight kneel downs to run out the last minute or so on the clock. Should be a rule that the offense has to attempt to advance the ball, even in the final moments. Seems to me the closest to a kneel down in the '60s and before was a QB sneak or two to run out the clock.

[Brian wolf]

What is your opinion of early 1970s receiver Dave Smith, Leonard? Why did the Steelers let him go?
He had talent but I wonder if it was injury problems? Maybe the team liked Frank Lewis more ...

[RichardBak]

For some reason I always mixed up Hoak with Ronnie Bull. Strange. Then again, I used to confuse my Aunt Gertie with Aunt Jenny after they reached the age of 78 or so. I think it was the rolled down stockings and cheap house dresses. But I digress.....