Merril DuAine Hoge is a former professional American football player. He played eight seasons at running back for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears, retiring after the 1994 season. Since 1997 he has been a football analyst for ESPN television. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Hoge in the tenth round of 1987 NFL Draft with the 261st pick overall. After seven seasons with the Steelers, Hoge signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent in 1994, but played in only five games with only six carries and 13 receptions. During a game against the Chiefs in Kansas City, Hoge received a... concussion and, five days later, the team doctor approved him to resume playing during a telephone call without examining him to determine if he had recovered; he was still suffering post-concussion symptoms. Hoge sustained another concussion several weeks later, and had to be resuscitated after he stopped breathing. He spent 48 hours in the intensive-care unit and was forced to retire due to brain injury. Hoge had to learn to read again and experienced memory loss, confusion and headaches. He later sued the Bears team doctor and won a $1.
more
| Birthdate: | January 26, 1965 |
| Birthplace: | Pocatello, Idaho |
| Age: | 47 |
| Height: | 6' 2" |
| Weight: | 211.6 lbs. |
| All Positions Played: | Running back |
| Education: | Idaho State University |
| Religion: | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Also known as: | Merril DuAine Hoge |