Mike Hudock
Encyclopedia
Michael Edward "Mike" Hudock, Jr. (September 29, 1934May 7, 2003) was an American collegieate and Professional Football
center
who helped the University of Miami
to become a national football power for the first time. He went on to play in the American Football League
as an original member of the American Football League
's New York Titans
. He played high school football for the Tunkhannock Tigers.
, Hudock was a sophomore in 1954 when the Miami Hurricanes
finished No. 9 in the nation, the first time they ended a season top 10. His senior year they were 8-1-1, No. 6 in all three wire polls and Hudock was honorable mention All-American. Hudock was twice named first-team center for the All-South team in college football
.
for the first American Football League
season. He was still there when the Titans became the New York Jets
in 1963 and in 1965 for Joe Namath
's rookie
year. Taken by the Miami Dolphins
in the 1966 AFL expansion draft, he retired in 1967 after being traded to the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs
.
In 1967, he was traded to Kansas City. He wound up unretiring and playing the end of the season for the Chiefs when their starting center was injured.
Professional football
In the United States and Canada, the term professional football includes the professional forms of American and Canadian gridiron football. In common usage, it refers to former and existing major football leagues in either country...
center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
who helped the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
to become a national football power for the first time. He went on to play in the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
as an original member of the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's New York Titans
New York Titans
New York Titans may refer to:*New York Titans , the former name of the National Football League's New York Jets* New York Titans , a National Lacrosse League team now known as the Orlando Titans...
. He played high school football for the Tunkhannock Tigers.
College career
An offensive lineman and linebackerLinebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Hudock was a sophomore in 1954 when the Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes, of Coral Gables, Florida, are the varsity sports teams of the University of Miami. They compete in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The university fields 15 athletic teams for 17 varsity sports...
finished No. 9 in the nation, the first time they ended a season top 10. His senior year they were 8-1-1, No. 6 in all three wire polls and Hudock was honorable mention All-American. Hudock was twice named first-team center for the All-South team in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
.
Pro career
Although his early professional years were plagued by knee injuries, Hudock became an integral part of another team's rise to prominence in 1960 when he joined the New York TitansNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for the first American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
season. He was still there when the Titans became the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1963 and in 1965 for Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
's rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
year. Taken by the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 1966 AFL expansion draft, he retired in 1967 after being traded to the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
.
In 1967, he was traded to Kansas City. He wound up unretiring and playing the end of the season for the Chiefs when their starting center was injured.