2) Plank played college football for Ohio State University where he won 3 Big Ten championships and went to 3 consecutive Rose Bowls under College Football Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes.
3) Former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan named his legendary defense the "46 defense" after Plank's hard hitting and aggressive style.
J: What is your favorite memory about playing for the Bears?
Doug Plank: During my earlier years, one of the defensive coaches created a defense after my jersey number. That defense went on to win the Super Bowl for the Chicago Bears. Although I never played in the Super Bowl, the "46 defense", which was my number, became the defense they used to win the Super Bowl.
J's Follow Up: It's cool that the coach named the defense after him. Too bad he didn't get to play in the Super Bowl with them.
Doug Plank: I used to lift weights and condition and train all the time. I still have dumbbells that I work out with. I'm a big believer in arm strength because there is not any sport I can think of that doesn't involve hand strength. Even in football, everyone thinks you tackle with your shoulders. No, you grab them like this and then you take them down. If you have no grip, you can't tackle anybody. I used to tie a dumbbell to a rope with a piece of wood and move it up and down with my wrists. Those things just made me who I was. Even as a smaller player, if you get 200 pounds going fast you can do some damage. That's what I did with the Chicago Bears. Lined up 10 yards away, ball was snapped and I'm off and running. Even if they were 50, 60, 70 pounds heavier than me I could knock them down with the impact. Whatever sport your in, keep working on it daily. All of sudden it amazes you. Just do the little things. Training and hard work.
J's Follow Up: I think getting better at grip strength will help me in tennis, basketball, golf, flag football and other sports. He wasn't real tall or a big guy but he hit real hard when he was playing. His highlights are crazy. Doug Plank Youtube Highlights
Photo credit / chicagobears.com
Jordan and I attended our first ever midnight flea market at the Grayslake Fairgrounds on May 26th, so we could meet Chicago Bear legend Doug Plank. While we attended the event to meet Doug, we also took advantage of our opportunity to check out some unique antiques. I loved the vintage sports equipment I was able to find and Jordan is big into history and loved looking at all of the old currency that was for sale.
We enjoyed our time meeting Doug Plank and he spent more time with us talking about his career in college and the NFL than any other athlete we have met. One thing that was certain is that Doug Plank loved being an Ohio State Buckeye, a Chicago Bear, and he remains extremely proud of the seven years he was fortunate enough to wear the navy and orange at Soldier Field. Jordan got a first hand lesson in tackling and got to experience the grip strength that Doug said he worked hard to gain while playing. It was a great experience meeting the Chicago Bears gridiron legend and if the Bears were in need of a safety to suit up in an emergency next season, it looks like Doug Plank can still play... even at 65!
No comments:
Post a Comment