By: G.Stryker, Twitter @SNStryker and Instagram @SNStryker
SteelerNation.com
Games are full of special moments. Most are easy to see and are part of the highlight reel each week. Some moments happen just out of the limelight of the big play. But without their efforts, those big plays don't happen. These hidden plays can be a block, a pressure, a tip, or football IQ creating the impact that is the difference between success and failure.
Growing up in the 80's, I really enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears 1985 season. A dominating defense, a Hall of Fame running back in Walter Payton, and the largest fullback I had ever seen. William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry caught my imagination for being one of the largest players in the league (6’2”, 335 lbs) and a capable defensive linemen. When he came into Superbowl XX and ran over a New England Patriot linebacker for a touchdown, my love for this giant in the backfield solidified.
Fast forward 35 years and I’m watching the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2nd drive of the game against the home team Tennessee Titans, when I notice #99 in the backfield. “Who the hell is this guy,” I ask myself. Then I see his size. The kid is enormous! Turns out it was the 6’4”, 280 lb Henry Mondeaux. Sure he’s not as big as ‘The Fridge’, but he was big compared to anyone I’ve ever seen in a Steeler backfield. Henry got snaps on special teams (17), defense (6), and one memorable snap on offense (2nd and goal from the 1-yard line, after the snap, Mondeaux runs left and attacks the linebacker in the C gap). As he blows up the linebacker, a defensive lineman falls over his large posterior and all three men fall to the ground as Benny Snell Jr. gets to run, untouched, into the end zone. Honorable mention to Jerald Hawkins, the tackle eligible, getting to his man and sealing him inside.
I was pleasantly surprised that Randy Fichtner would utilize Mondeaux on offense in his very first game to give the Steelers an extra wrinkle that no team could have planned for. I hope to see more plays with Mondeaux in the backfield, because a team hungry for a 7th Superbowl, could always use a stocked ‘Fridge’ in the backfield!
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