Clarke Hinkle (April 10, 1909 – November 9, 1988) was an
American football player. He played on offense as a
fullback, defense as a
linebacker, and special teams as a kicker and
punter. He was elected to the
Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of its second class of inductees in 1964.
Known as one of the toughest players in the era of
iron man football, Hinkle played for the
Green Bay Packers from 1932 to 1941 and held the all-time
National Football League (NFL) records for rushing yardage and carries when his playing career ended. He led the NFL in touchdowns (seven) in 1937, in points scored (58) in 1938, and in field goals made and field goal percentage in both 1940 and 1941. He was selected as a first- or second-team
All-Pro in each of his 10 NFL seasons and helped lead the Packers to three NFL championship games and NFL championships in
1936 and
1939. His playing career was cut short in 1942 by military service.
A native of
Toronto, Ohio, Hinkle played
college football for
Bucknell from 1929 to 1931. He scored 50 points in a single game as a sophomore and led Bucknell to an undefeated season in 1931. He was inducted into the
College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
He had long since retired. I hugged him goodbye at my grandmother's house, and got into the car. I said to my dad, "His chest is hard as a brick." My dad told me this story:
When Clarke was a newbie in the NFL, a Chicago player named Bronko Nagurski decided to initiate Clarke by running over him. Bronko hit Clarke's chest and knocked himself out. He just slid down the front of Clarkes chest. Broke his nose. Clarke never moved.
They became good friends and would visit each other regularly.
