Jack Hinkle
Encyclopedia
John M. Hinkle was a professional football
in the National Football League
. During his career, he played for the New York Giants
, Philadelphia Eagles
and the "Steagles
".
team, the Jersey City Giants. Upon joining the Giants, Hinkle was cut from the team after just three games due to an argument with Giants coach Steve Owen. When asked what the argument was about, Hinkle said "something asinine". He later signed with the New York Americans of the third American Football League in 1941. The Americans 1941 season ended just in time for Hinkle to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles for their last game of the season, against the Washington Redskins
. That final game was held on December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor
was attacked by Japan
, thrusting the United States
into World War II
.
After a brief stint in the United States Army
in 1942, Hinkle was resigned by the Eagles by coach Greasy Neale. Hinkle enjoyed his best season though in 1943, when a league-wide manning shortage, brought on by World War II
, forced the Eagles to temporarily merge with the cross-state Pittsburgh Steelers
. The merged team was called the "Steagles
" by the media. With the Steagles, Hinkle rushed for a team-leading 571 yards and 3 touchdown
s, while also intercepting four passes as a defensive back
. He lost the 1943 NFL rushing title to the Giants' Bill Paschal
by one yard. However it was against the Giants that Hinkle was not given credit for a 37-yard run. Instead due to a mix up by Ross Kaufman, the official statistican who credited that run to teammate John Butler
). However Hinkle did not complain about not winning the NFL rushing crown, he figured with a war going on there were better things to cry about.
He finished his NFL career in 1947 with 1,067 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions.
in Canton, Ohio
. The NFL honor roll is a listing of the over 1,000 NFL personnel who served in the military during the war. He spent the 1942 season in the U.S. Army
. However he was later discharged from the service after a year due to stomach ulcers.
's football team in the late-1930s. However during his time at Syracuse, he rarely carried the ball. However he was still a three time lettermen at Syracuse in 1937, 1938 and 1939.
a Hall of Fame fullback
with the Green Bay Packers
. Jack died at his home in Norristown, Pennsylvania
from natural causes on November 17, 2006 at the age of 89.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. During his career, he played for the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the "Steagles
Steagles
The Steagles is the popular nickname for the team created by the temporary merger of two National Football League teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 1943 season...
".
Pro career
Prior to joining the Giants, Hinkle played for the Giants American AssociationAmerican Association (football)
The American Association was a professional American football league based in New York City. Founded in 1936 as a minor league with teams in New York and New Jersey, the AA extended its reach to Providence, Rhode Island prior to the onset of World War II...
team, the Jersey City Giants. Upon joining the Giants, Hinkle was cut from the team after just three games due to an argument with Giants coach Steve Owen. When asked what the argument was about, Hinkle said "something asinine". He later signed with the New York Americans of the third American Football League in 1941. The Americans 1941 season ended just in time for Hinkle to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles for their last game of the season, against the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. That final game was held on December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
was attacked by Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, thrusting the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After a brief stint in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1942, Hinkle was resigned by the Eagles by coach Greasy Neale. Hinkle enjoyed his best season though in 1943, when a league-wide manning shortage, brought on by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, forced the Eagles to temporarily merge with the cross-state Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. The merged team was called the "Steagles
Steagles
The Steagles is the popular nickname for the team created by the temporary merger of two National Football League teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 1943 season...
" by the media. With the Steagles, Hinkle rushed for a team-leading 571 yards and 3 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s, while also intercepting four passes as a defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
. He lost the 1943 NFL rushing title to the Giants' Bill Paschal
Bill Paschal
William Avner Paschal, Jr. was an American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Boston Yanks.-Early life:...
by one yard. However it was against the Giants that Hinkle was not given credit for a 37-yard run. Instead due to a mix up by Ross Kaufman, the official statistican who credited that run to teammate John Butler
John Butler (running back)
John William Butler was a professional football player in the National Football League drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942. He would go on to play for both Steelers merged teams . In 1943 Butler was drafted into the military due to World War II, however he was physically disqualified for duty...
). However Hinkle did not complain about not winning the NFL rushing crown, he figured with a war going on there were better things to cry about.
He finished his NFL career in 1947 with 1,067 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Military service
Outside of football, Hinkle's name is located on the World War II honor roll located at the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in Canton, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. The NFL honor roll is a listing of the over 1,000 NFL personnel who served in the military during the war. He spent the 1942 season in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. However he was later discharged from the service after a year due to stomach ulcers.
Syracuse
Prior to his professional career, Hinkle was standout for Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
's football team in the late-1930s. However during his time at Syracuse, he rarely carried the ball. However he was still a three time lettermen at Syracuse in 1937, 1938 and 1939.
Family
In 1944, Jack married Joane Haggerty. During his time with the Steagles, Joane would cheer on Jack by loudly shouting "Let's Go Honey". This caused the other players on the team to give Jack the nickname "Honey". At the time of his death, Hinkle was survived by his wife, his children and grandchildren. He was also a cousin of Clarke HinkleClarke Hinkle
William Clarke Hinkle was a professional American football player for the Green Bay Packers. Wearing # 30, he played Tailback and Linebacker from 1932 to 1941....
a Hall of Fame fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. Jack died at his home in Norristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
from natural causes on November 17, 2006 at the age of 89.