Episode 11: Merril Hoge

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Merril Hoge spent eight years playing professional football and another 21 years as a high profile analyst at ESPN, but the role he’s played best in life is that of survivor. Today, Bernie welcomes the former Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears fullback to the program to discuss growing up in Pocatello, Idaho, where he trapped gophers in support of the local potato industry and nearly lost his hand in a farming accident. The pair then talks about Merril’s record-setting career at Idaho State, the day-to-day chaos of being a first-year player during the 1987 NFL players’ strike and the wild ride that was the Steelers’ 1989 regular season and subsequent playoff run. Later, we hear about Merril’s book, Find A Way, in which he writes about overcoming the untimely death of his mother, the brain injury that nearly cost him his life and his battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Finally, Merril discusses his High Mark Caring Foundation, which provides a sanctuary for people recovering from loss, and the Chuck Knoll Foundation for Brain Injury Research.