There is no doubt, in all aspects of life, there are some things that really are underappreciated—especially when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this series as we approach the 2021 regular season, I will examine former (and some current) Pittsburgh Steelers that can sometimes be forgotten when we talk about Steelers history. Some of these Steelers had brief careers, some excellent longevity. However, while every player has played a role, some have gone under the radar despite their contributions. This could be due to the era they played in, the talent in that era, or even just some of the Steelers teams they played on.
Today, we will look at a man who filled in big shoes and was a bright spot in a frustrating era for the Steelers.
After the 1984 season, the legendary linebacker Jack Lambert retired—signaling the conclusion of the Steel Curtain dynasty defense. In a game that was heavily evolving after the 1978 “Mel Blount” rule change, inside linebackers were forced on course to adapt to a pass happier league. Today, your prototypical inside linebacker is much like that of a Bobby Wagner, Devin White, or Devin Bush. In the ’80s there was a period of adjustment.
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Despite the slower evolution of the inside linebacker, there were still very notable ones playing. One man who flew under the league’s—and his own team’s—radar was the 1981 sixth-round selection out of Oregon: Bryan Hinkle.
Born in Long Beach, California, Bryan Hinkle played his early career for Central Kitsap High School; later for the University of Oregon before being drafted in the 1981 NFL Draft (in the same class as future Raiders GM Mike Mayock)! He is someone that is often not mentioned among the legendary Steelers linebackers—filled with the likes of Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Gregg Lloyd, and many others. Make no mistake, however, Hinkle was a stable force in a rough time for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A symbol of the grit and Steel City toughness, Bryan Hinkle missed very little time as a starter from 1984-1991. Some may remember his game where he injured his leg, had it taped up, and finished the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The next day, an x-ray revealed a broken fibula. It takes an incredible level of grit and guts to play through that type of injury.
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The tough part about Bryan Hinkle’s career was simple: he filled the shoes of a Steel City legend and played in an era with top-tier defensive talent (the age of Rod Woodson and Lawrence Taylor, for example)! He is also often overlooked due to the era of Steelers football he played in. Chuck Noll’s Steelers had multiple seasons of missing the playoffs, losing seasons, and terrible quarterbacking in the ’80s. Couple that with the previously mentioned facts, he is, unfortunately, someone who is lost amid Steelers lore.
While he played in darker times of the post-merger Steelers football, he didn’t go without making significant contributions. His greatest season might have been one that he should have made the Pro Bowl. In 1984, he played a key role in the middle of the Steelers defense en route to Noll’s final AFC Championship appearance. He recorded 5.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and recovered two fumbles while scoring a touchdown (tackles statistics weren’t recorded until 1994).
Bryan Hinkle never got the chance to get back closer to a Super Bowl—retiring after the 1993 season. However, his career had longevity, purpose, and impact in a time that many Steelers fans like to omit in their memory of the Noll era. There is no doubt that Bryan Hinkle has a place among the legends of the Steelers linebackers. Sure, he didn’t have the accolades and championships, but he was a part of the city of Pittsburgh. The toughness, determination, and heart of Hinkle were on display with every snap.
So to Mr. Bryan Hinkle, I say: Thank you for being a Pittsburgh Steeler!
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