Happy Birthday Steeler LEGEND Merril Hoge!

[RemoAZ]

Only jersey I own.
https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/statu ... 4716900352
Look at that speed!

[Jizz Mop]

Solid dude

Went to a filming of an episode of NFL Films in Mt Laurel NJ years ago for a friend diagnosed w ALS

Merrill asked “I heard there’s a Steelers fan here?”

We were sitting in the studio when he asked….I said “me.”

Long story short took me to his office and signed a photo of himself and gave it to me

Nice guy

Great Steeler

[Pickett's Platoon]

May his cake not be iced with jizz...

[RemoAZ]

Maybe my favorite game of the Hoge era:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhCOYrq ... KevinSmith

[Stlcrtn1974]

Maybe my favorite game of the Hoge era:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhCOYrq ... KevinSmith

That was one of my favorite teams, I was in 9th grade that year. 1st playoff win since 84.

[Stosh-67]

Loved Merril.
Those 1989 playoff games were great.
2 games, back to back 100 yard games........
combined for 33-220, 6.7, 2 TDs
11 catches for 86 yards

Notice in that first video of OP...... LT #65, flying down field looking to make blocks......
40+ yards downfield.

John Jackson was a fine LT
Another very good player from those years

You will not see OL that far downfield in todays game.

[RemoAZ]

Loved Merril.
Those 1989 playoff games were great.
2 games, back to back 100 yard games........
combined for 33-220, 6.7, 2 TDs
11 catches for 86 yards

Notice in that first video of OP...... LT #65, flying down field looking to make blocks......
40+ yards downfield.

John Jackson was a fine LT
Another very good player from those years

You will not see OL that far downfield in todays game.

Yeah he showed some wheels on that play. You had a young Jackson and Dawson on that team with Tunch. Loved those guys.

[El Kabong]

The 1989 Steelers will always have a special place in my heart.

[955876]

Fan of that 89 team as well. Played golf with Lupe Sanchez once. Quite the character. And drinker. Pulled a full bottle of Smirnoff from his bag to drink during the round. Guess he came prepared.

I think his last year on team was 88 so maybe not on 89 team.

He had quite a few stories about Brister that were pretty damn funny.

[Deebo]

Only jersey I own.
https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/statu ... 4716900352
Look at that speed!

Was that Mark Bruener #87 blocking downfield?

And I didn't realize Hodge went to Idaho State.

[Steel Ubaldo]

Only jersey I own.
https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/statu ... 4716900352
Look at that speed!

That was the first actual steeler jersey I owned. Made the mistake of taking it to college and someone swiped it on me.

Loved that team. I was 14 at that time. I couldn’t believe that they actually kept it close in Houston in the playoffs. I figured Moon would throw the ball all over them like he did earlier in the year in Houston. I remember never doubting for a second that Gary Anderson would make that kick.

The next week, I truly believed they were going to win. Had the lead at half time and then up by 6 in the 4th quarter…
Man, was I disappointed.

I then thought 1990 would be the year but Joe Walton’s think and dink did that in.

[El Kabong]

Only jersey I own.
https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/statu ... 4716900352
Look at that speed!

Was that Mark Bruener #87 blocking downfield?

And I didn't realize Hodge went to Idaho State.

Bruener wouldn't be a Steeler for another 6 years.

[Stosh-67]

One of the great names.....

#87 Weegie Thompson.

[Deebo]

Only jersey I own.
https://twitter.com/Steelersdepot/statu ... 4716900352
Look at that speed!

Was that Mark Bruener #87 blocking downfield?

And I didn't realize Hodge went to Idaho State.

Bruener wouldn't be a Steeler for another 6 years.

Ahhh thanks

[RemoAZ]

One of the great names.....

#87 Weegie Thompson.

Louis Lipps and Weegie Thompson. The greatest Steeler WR "name" duo of all time!

[El Kabong]

Louuuuuuuuuuuuu

[RemoAZ]

Louuuuuuuuuuuuu

Speaking of Lipps, check out this 1988 highlight reel this guy posted on Twitter. Awesome!
https://twitter.com/steelcitystar/statu ... 2066942976

[El Kabong]

Louuuuuuuuuuuuu

Speaking of Lipps, check out this 1988 highlight reel this guy posted on Twitter. Awesome!
https://twitter.com/steelcitystar/statu ... 2066942976

Good memories. He was a good player. Those bombs that Bubby used to throw. Bubby loved the long ball.

I remember that game at Houston in 1988. The Steelers only went 5-11 in 1988 but they won at Houston in prime time. That was a fun game, and kind of a precursor to the Steelers winning in Houston in the 89 playoffs.

[MJG75]

Louuuuuuuuuuuuu

Speaking of Lipps, check out this 1988 highlight reel this guy posted on Twitter. Awesome!
https://twitter.com/steelcitystar/statu ... 2066942976

Good memories. He was a good player. Those bombs that Bubby used to throw. Bubby loved the long ball.

I remember that game at Houston in 1988. The Steelers only went 5-11 in 1988 but they won at Houston in prime time. That was a fun game, and kind of a precursor to the Steelers winning in Houston in the 89 playoffs.

Hope Hoge is enjoying a good birthday. Those were good memories. Bubby was fun to watch play, honestly, even though I always doubted he'd be able to win big games for us when it counted most.

Those 80s teams (entire decade plus 90 and 91) were just *this* close quite often. Not enough good players was one big reason. I thought the 89 team would lead to better days in 90 and 91, but was not to be until 92. We came close again in 90, winning as many games as 89, but the cards didn't go our way as the season ended, and we failed to beat Cody Carlson/Oilers in our finale, which would have had us in the playoffs again. Tough loss, and the 80's and 90/91 were full of them, unfortunately.

[RemoAZ]

Louuuuuuuuuuuuu

Speaking of Lipps, check out this 1988 highlight reel this guy posted on Twitter. Awesome!
https://twitter.com/steelcitystar/statu ... 2066942976

Good memories. He was a good player. Those bombs that Bubby used to throw. Bubby loved the long ball.

I remember that game at Houston in 1988. The Steelers only went 5-11 in 1988 but they won at Houston in prime time. That was a fun game, and kind of a precursor to the Steelers winning in Houston in the 89 playoffs.

I loved watching Bubby wind up and chuck it down field. That and the Van Slyke crow hop were must see Pittsburgh throws in the late 80's!