The Hogs (American football)

This article is about a group of National Football League players. For the college football team often known as the Hogs, see Arkansas Razorbacks football.

Name Washington seasons Washington's Super Bowl wins
Jeff Bostic 1980–1993 XVII, XXII, XXVI
Ray Brown 1989–1995 XXVI
Fred Dean 1978–1982 XVII
Russ Grimm 1981–1991 XVII, XXII, XXVI
Joe Jacoby 1981–1993 XVII, XXII, XXVI
Jim Lachey 1988–1995 XXVI
Mark May 1981–1990 XVII, XXII
Raleigh McKenzie 1985–1994 XXII, XXVI
Mark Schlereth 1989–1994 XXVI
Ed Simmons 1987–1997 XXII, XXVI
George Starke 1972–1984 XVII
Rick Walker 1980–1984 XVII
Don Warren 1979–1992 XVII, XXII, XXVI

Highlighted names denote members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hogs were a nickname given to the offensive line of the Washington Redskins (now known as the Washington Commanders) of the National Football League during the 1980s and early 1990s. Renowned for their ability to control the line of scrimmage, the Hogs helped the Redskins win three Super Bowl championships (XVII, XXII and XXVI) under head coach Joe Gibbs. The Washington Commanders pay homage to the Hogs with their mascot, Major Tuddy.[1]

History

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"The Hogs" was a term coined by offensive line coach Joe Bugel during training camp in 1982, when he told Russ Grimm and Jeff Bostic, "Okay, you hogs, let's get running down there."[2] Center Jeff Bostic, left guard Russ Grimm, right guard Mark May, left tackle Joe Jacoby, right tackle George Starke, guard Fred Dean, along with tight ends Don Warren and Rick Walker comprised the original Hogs. While Starke retired in 1984 shortly after the team won their third NFL Championship and first Super Bowl in Super Bowl XVII, Bostic, Grimm, Jacoby, and Warren stayed together until the early 1990s and were on all three Redskins Super Bowl winning teams under Gibbs.

The line averaged 273 pounds in 1982[3] with Jacoby weighing in at around 300 pounds. Early on, the Hogs provided cover for running back John Riggins and quarterback Joe Theismann. Riggins was accepted as an "Honorary Hog." Quarterback Theismann threw a key block one day and begged to be named an "honorary piglet." Theismann never had to hit a blocking dummy every day, which is why he never made "piglet." Besides, Bugel said: "We don't want a quarterback in the gang." "No quarterbacks," Starke said at the time. Theismann has said in numerous occasions that after that block he did make it into "The Hogs" as a "Piglet."[2]

Their successes inspired a group of male fans who came to be known as the "Hogettes",[4] who attended games dressed in "old lady" drag (dresses, wide-brimmed hats) and wearing plastic pig snouts. The Hogettes cheered on the Redskins for 30 years before announcing their retirement in 2013.[5]

Soon after losing Super Bowl XVIII 38–9 to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1984, Starke retired. Theismann's career ended in 1985, after he suffered an injury while being tackled by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Riggins retired after the 1985 season. Shortly after, the Redskins were joined by a new class of Hogs, including 1985 draft pick Raleigh McKenzie, a left guard from the University of Tennessee, and 1989 draft pick Mark Schlereth, a right guard from the University of Idaho, along with Ray Brown, Ed Simmons, and Pro Bowl left tackle Jim Lachey, who was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Raiders. With their help, Washington won two more Super Bowls - XXII in 1988 and XXVI in 1992. Grimm was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Brener, Jeremy. "Meet The Commanders 'Controversial' New Mascot, Major Tuddy". SI. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  2. ^ a b The History of the Hogs. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  3. ^ Paul Attner (November 27, 1982). "Some Redskins 'Hogging' the Victories". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  4. ^ The Hogettes. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  5. ^ "Redskins fans 'Hogettes' retiring". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
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