Jim Wexell's Piece on Chris Hoke a Must-Read for Steeler Fans

Jim Wexell's Piece on Chris Hoke a Must-Read for Steeler Fans
by Michael Bean on Dec 8, 2011 2:06 AM EST


One of the things I admire most about Jim Wexell is his ability to blend great football analysis with a keen eye for telling stories. I loved the approach of his most recent book Steeler Nation, and how he focused not on the games of the 2007 season, but the families, friends and other relevant figures in the lives of the players we cheer for on Sundays. As Wexell mentioned on Terrible Towel Talk, Episode 13 in early November, a new book project about Troy Polamalu is in the works. To state the obvious, I can't wait for more details and for Jim to finish the project.

On Wednesday, Wexell wrote a moving piece about Chris Hoke, the Steelers veteran defensive tackle that was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. Like his fellow veteran defensive lineman, Aaron Smith, Hoke underwent successful 'neck fusion' surgery this week. That's the good news. The bad news is the injury could spell the end of Hoke's wildly successful eight-year career as a key role player on defense. If eight years doesn't sound like the shelf life of a reserve defensive player with limited injury history, don't forget that Hoke went on a two-year mission to Belgium and France in the middle of his collegiate career at BYU.

Wexell's tribute was outstanding, but he largely left the talking to the player that Hoke has apparently been mentoring rigorously and devotedly this past three years -- Steve McLendon.

"When I say ‘work things out,’ I’m not just talking about the season, but life. Period," McLendon said. "He’s helped me with a bunch of things off the field also. This is going to go way past football. He’s a family man and he’d help me with stuff with my family, like trips to take with the family, a lot of little things. But he’s going to help me a lot. I told him we need to talk every day, because some things I can’t break down like Hoke can. He’s been helping me, so I don’t want to change that. Like I told him, we’ll talk every day. He told me we could talk every day. He’ll be around. This is pretty tough for me."

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/12/8/2620088/chris-hoke-injured-reserve-steve-mcclendon-jim-wexell

sucks

That was a great read. And it's pretty apparent that this team is old, and eventually age is always replaced with youth - whether by choice or by circumstance.

You never realize the importance of guys who sit the bench, and how much of an impact they have in the locker room, on the practice field, as well as in another player's life until you see a story like this.

While I'm sure the Steelers will bring in another class of athletes that will one day make us forget this bunch, I doubt it will happen quickly. This group will be talked about just as those Steelers of the 70's were talked about and still are.

Great article, fer! I'm going to miss Hoke. He was rock-solid as a backup and spot starter. He'll be hard to replace.