Former Steelers great Dick Hoak gets surprise birthday party in Hempfield

Turning 82 isn’t exactly a milestone birthday. But for the friends of former Steelers and Penn State great and Jeannette native Dick Hoak, any excuse to give him a party is a good one.

Fans of Hoak know him as a former Pro Bowl running back and the longest tenured coach in Steelers history (1972 to 2007). His friends know him as a lovable, low-key guy who doesn’t crave the spotlight despite his five Super Bowl rings.

So, they surprised him with a special cake Wednesday at a Panera Bread location in Hempfield. Hoak visits the restaurant almost daily.

“There couldn’t be a finer example of humility and respect in any citizen in any community than Dick has showed to the Jeannette community,” said Rob McLaughlin, a longtime friend. “He has never tooted his own horn, but he has always promoted Jeannette football, Nittany Lions football and anything he could do to support any young person in Jeannette that was striving to be successful in sports.”

Hoak knows what it takes to be successful in sports, especially football. He was recruited by Penn State out of Jeannette High School, where he was a star quarterback. He was converted to a running back in college, but then as a senior the Nittany Lions asked Hoak if he would return to quarterback.

“I said, ‘As long as you let me play, I’ll do it,’ ’’ Hoak recalled.

He ended up returning to the position and being named Penn State’s MVP in 1960.

The Steelers drafted Hoak as a running back in the seventh round in 1961, and he went on to have an impressive NFL career, leading the team in rushing three times before retiring as Pittsburgh’s second leading rusher of all-time after the 1970 season.

Anyone who goes online and looks at those vintage NFL films of Hoak in action will be mesmerized by his ability to run and throw the ball with equal aplomb on the halfback option. And it might make fans wonder why teams like the Steelers, who have sputtered on offense this season, don’t do more of it today.

“There were a lot of guys who played running back and threw the ball and were pretty successful (in the ’60s). The guy at Green Bay, (Paul) Hornung, he threw the ball. A lot of places did. Teams back then had that play more than anybody has it now,” Hoak said. “I think part of the problem (today) is a lot of these guys never threw the ball. I did that from high school on. I threw the ball.”

Hoak enjoyed even more success as a running backs coach with the Steelers. He suggested a play that contributed mightily to the Steelers 21-10 win over Seattle in Super Bowl XL. But typical of his nature, he was happy to have one of his friends tell the story.

“At the end of the half, the Steelers were leading 7-3, and Dick had noticed something with the (Seahawks) defensive secondary being pulled up closer to the line of scrimmage and he recommended a play be run,” McLaughlin said. “So, 22 seconds into the second half, Alan Faneca delivered a crushing block, the Seattle linebacker whiffed on a tackle, and Willie Parker took off for a 75-yard touchdown run to break the game open.”

Former Penn State linebacker Ed Odorisio said what he admires most about Hoak is that, even at 82, he looks like he still could play.

“He never looked like he got out of shape,” he said. “All those years he coached for the Steelers, he looked like a player but he was coach. He was a great player, and he’s a good man.”

Hoak said he watches every Steelers game.

“I’m always happy when they win. I still love the game.”

Asked about what he thinks of the team’s performance, ever the gentleman, he declined to share his thoughts.

“I have opinions, but I don’t want to say anything,” Hoak said.

Besides, there was a birthday cake with Jeannette High School, Penn State and Steelers logos waiting to be cut into.

“This is nice,” he said.