He went undrafted out of Iowa in 1981 and made the Bears as a long snapper, then took over as starting center midway through the 1983 season. I walk by the mirror and say, `Dang, I've got to go work out. Jay Hilgenberg served as Joel’s backup for a year in New Orleans. The pain in Jay Hilgenberg's chest was "just cartilage," he kept telling himself. Simply choose one of the current issue drop-down options or add $2 if you subscribe by mail to cover the cost of shipping.
A subscription to Iowa History Journal is the year-round gift they don’t have to dust! Last couple nights I'm getting scared because I'm excited about how good I feel. At 6’3”, 260 pounds, Hilgy was undersized but possessed a huge heart. On Sunday, April 10, Hilgenberg laid around his house and watched the Masters. Thanks to Lou, Jackie and the crew at KCWI-TV23’s “CW Iowa Live”. I just got that from the way I came into the league, being a free agent. He played center for the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints from 1981 to 1993. Neither were Hall of Famers Jim Langer or Mick Tinglehoff. The next day, he tried to work out again. It forced Hilgenberg’s retirement at 35 and prompted him to lose so much weight he became hard to recognize. Jerry, Wally and Jay were named first team All-Big Ten. He played center, and taught his boys the position. But her father said she is still “apprehensive” about the recruiting process. A great way to start the day with IHJ on CW Iowa Live! His doctor told him he would be better off at 200, a challenge that could cause more stress than it might cure. "Football has been a part of my life and I got great enjoyment from it. After 12 seasons in the NFL, he was training for one more but had a heart attack while playing ping pong with a teammate in April 1994. "I wanted to see my daughter grow up. Click here to request Getty Images Premium Access through IBM Creative Design Services. He was one of 11 players to appear in all four of the Vikings’ Super Bowls before retiring in 1979. Led by the great Walter Payton, who rushed 23 times for 131 yards, the Bears amassed 223 yards on the ground and 335 overall. Normal would be something new. Sports careers almost always end more suddenly than planned, but this was "a shock" to Hilgenberg and anybody under the age of 40. Former teammate Jim Covert said he almost drove off the road when he heard it. Beaverdale Books It was the start of something special. "Toughest man I ever played against," said ex-teammate Fridge Perry. I've played long enough. “She’s a terrific player right now. “A little feistiness, a little sass…that ‘Hit ‘em in the mouth’ kind of attitude. Need a gift idea? Discover Iowa’s unforgettable people and the most important moments in Iowa history. His cholesterol was high enough for him to take medication the last "couple of years, but I didn't think about it too much, probably my mistake.". I always wanted to be a good player and work at it hard," Hilgenberg said. According to Jay, who turned 60 this past March, it’s in the genes.
I step back and think, `Wow, I had a heart attack.' He was traded to Pittsburgh in 1968, but was waived before ever playing a game for the Steelers. It's been nice.". Stubborn is how ex-teammate Jay Hilgenberg describes him: "Very stubborn. He was the first of six members of his family — all linemen, mostly centers — to play for the Hawkeyes as younger brother Wally, sons Jim, Jay and Joel, and Wally’s son, Eric, all followed in his path. A two-way player at guard and linebacker, Wally’s defensive coach was his brother Jerry, who had returned to Iowa City following a stint in the Air Force. Hilgy’s seven Pro Bowls are tied for fifth all-time among centers. [2] He started in the NFL's Pro Bowl seven times. "I wasn't angry; I was more scared," Hilgenberg said. In the mid-70s, Jerry and JoAnn would watch Joel play junior high games on Thursdays, Jay in high school, Jim in college on Saturdays and Wally on Sundays. This is ridiculous.' I wouldn't trade it for anything.". They combined to play 39 seasons in the National Football League, starting 375 … That's what he is. Dan Hampton, who won a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears in 1986 and played in four Pro Bowls, said his daughter inherited his competitive zeal –- among other things. Twice was named First Team All-Pro. I kept justifying everything in my head: `It was the cartilage. Hampton has never shied away from her father’s legacy. The EKG revealed blockage that was cleared by an angioplasty last Thursday. Hilgenberg, 35, was doing military presses with dumbbells when it hit. Stubborn is how ex-teammate Jay Hilgenberg describes him: "Very stubborn.
“You look like you could be Dan Hampton’s daughter,” said Hilgenberg… I'm happy with that, won a Super Bowl and everything. "I just think everybody at a certain age should get an angiogram or something like that," he said. Jerry, Wally and Jay were named first team All-Big Ten. "I … Too many images selected. Hilgenberg was picked up off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for another dozen seasons. "OK, let's go play Ping-Pong," Tomczak said. “You look like you could be Dan Hampton’s daughter,” said Hilgenberg, who was shocked to find that she actually was his ex-teammate’s child. TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS STORY AND OTHER FASCINATING STORIES ABOUT IOWA HISTORY, subscribe to Iowa History Journal. Lisa (Hilgenberg's wife) wanted to call 911 Saturday night and I told her no, just cartilage. Drugtown Why do people do that? She has a great build for an athlete, and she has been the glue on every team she’s ever been on. “But as she gets older, she’ll learn that music is a friend who’s always there.”, Volleyball titles up for grabs at Showcase, Trophy time for Wheaton Warrenville South, Wheaton Warrenville South finishes on top. It’s a legacy unmatched by any other family in Hawkeye annals. He then joined the Saints as brother Joel's backup. "Nah, I don't feel good," Hilgenberg said. Daily Dose Sports Publications © All rights reserved. "It's still kind of weird. Jerry Hilgenberg was inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. I wanted to play another year, but that's not going to happen now. In this conversation. “It was like a ritual,” Jay recalled. {{collectionsDisplayName(searchView.appliedFilters)}}, {{searchText.groupByEventToggleImages()}}, {{searchText.groupByEventToggleEvents()}}. When the pain shot to his elbow, Hilgenberg blamed his profession.
"I'll never let T-Zak forget that. “I play piano, and my dad plays the saxophone, guitar and the drums,” said Dakota. “We’re probably the only family that plays catch not facing each other,” said Jay. "Doctors told me quite a while ago the cholesterol would be a problem until I quit playing and dropped the weight," Hilgenberg said. That's why he's good." “We were pretty intense. Lisa (Hilgenberg's wife) wanted to call 911 Saturday night and I told her no, just cartilage. Wally Hilgenberg played basketball, baseball and ran track in high school, but football was his best sport. Between them, players named Hilgenberg won 19 varsity letters at Iowa. Your team’s Premium Access agreement is expiring soon. In nine years as starting center, the Bears led the league in rushing four times, finished second once and third another time. The family would gather around the television to watch Vikings games. Your email address will not be published. I've been under a little stress the last few years," he said. Prairie Lights Jerry Hilgenberg was the first of six Hawkeyes in his family – all lineman, mostly centers – to play for Iowa. Gridiron family boasts Hawkeye legacy like no other. He played center for the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints from 1981 to 1993. He is the son of All-American University of Iowa center Jerry Hilgenberg and nephew of Minnesota Vikings linebacker Wally Hilgenberg. "Brothers Jay Hilgenberg of the Chicago Bears and Joel...", "Hilgenberg, Kittle together again as Hawkeyes - Iowa Official Athletic Site", "Jay Hilgenberg, BearsHistory.com Chicago Bears Ring of Honor", "Write Now Blog | Ex-Bears among Hall of Fame nominees", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jay_Hilgenberg&oldid=961085022, American football offensive lineman, 1950s birth stubs, NFL player missing current team parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 June 2020, at 14:29. He was followed by Jay, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, then Joel, who played ten years with the New Orleans Saints. Jerry Hilgenberg’s high school in tiny Wilton, Iowa, was so small that it didn’t have football until his senior year. Get your piece of Iowa history and subscribe today! They combined to play 39 seasons in the NFL, starting 375 games while playing in five Super Bowls and eight Pro Bowls. When it was time to receive his letterman jacket, he ordered the smallest size available and gave it to his 11-year-old brother, Wally. Plus, FREE shipping and handling! I don't think I really got angry at all, maybe a little bit.
As a pro, he bulked up his 6-foot-2-inch frame to 270 and became an All-Pro. A year later, he tried out for the football team at the University of Iowa as a quarterback, eventually was switched to the center position and by the time he was a senior in 1953, he was an All-American. "Come outside and walk around for a second.". One thing Hilgenberg might do differently is pay closer attention to the warning signs. Jay and Joel were teammates with the 1993 Saints, one season after Joel was voted to the Pro Bowl. I went, `Geez, what's the deal here?' Jerry, Wally and Jay were named First Team All-Big Ten. “I think there is some pressure being his daughter,” she said.
So he and Mike Tomzcak, two former Bears getting ready to prolong unlikely careers that began as free agents, were lifting weights in Hilgenberg's suburban basement April 8.
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