Pro Football Career
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Hoge in the tenth round of 1987 NFL Draft with the 261st pick overall. After seven seasons with the Steelers, Hoge signed with the [[Chicago 1994, but played in only five games with only six carries and 13 receptions.
During a game against the Chiefs in Kansas City, Hoge received a concussion and, five days later, the team doctor approved him to resume playing during a telephone call without examining him to determine if he had recovered; he was still suffering post-concussion symptoms.
Hoge sustained another concussion several weeks later, and had to be resuscitated after he stopped breathing. He spent 48 hours in the intensive-care unit and was forced to retire due to brain injury. Hoge had to learn to read again and experienced memory loss, confusion and headaches. He later sued the Bears team doctor and won a $1.55 million judgment.
In his career, Hoge gained 3139 rushing yards and 2133 receiving yards, along with 34 touchdowns. While playing fullback in the Steeler's I-form offense, he scored 10 touchdowns in 1990.
Read more about this topic: Merril Hoge
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