Ted Hendricks

By Allyson Turner

In the 1969 AFL-NFL draft, the Baltimore Colts chose Ted Hendricks in the second round. A three-time All America as a linebacker and defensive end at the University of Miami, he played for five seasons with the Colts and was then traded to the Packers in 1974. Hendricks won a Super Bowl championship ring with Baltimore and went to the Pro Bowl as both a Colt and Packer. In 1975, Hendricks signed with the Raiders where he would play for nine seasons and flourish under John Madden.

Nicknamed, 'The Mad Stork,' Hendricks blocked 25 field goals or extra points, recovered 16 fumbles, intercepted 26 passes and recorded a league-tying record of four safeties. During his 15 seasons, he never missed a game. He played in 215 consecutive games, more than any linebacker in NFL history. He also holds the record for most fumbles recovered in the postseason.

Hendricks played on three additional championship teams in Oakland and retired after the Raiders' 38-9 win over Washington in Super Bowl XVIII. The eight-time Pro Bowl pick was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Hendricks is currently involved with the Pro Football Hall of Fame signature series. The series includes 116 cards per set, each autographed by legends such as Joe Namath, Dick Butkus, Roger Staubach, Gale Sayers, Deacon Jones and Mike Ditka. The project was designed to assist Hall of Fame members with financial needs.

 

Ted Hendricks was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. (Allsport)

What was the greatest moment for you on the football field?
My first Super Bowl. Just the fact that I had a Super Bowl ring and I was only two years in the league. It made quite an impression on a second-year man. A lot of my colleagues have played their whole career without a hint of a Super Bowl career.

What makes you cry?
ET or some really sentimental film. I don't cry, I just get water in my eyes.

Did you like the nickname, 'The Mad Stork?'
I guess I'm used to it now. At first I didn't like it because it connoted the bird that brought babies. I have other ones too. In Green Bay, they called me 'Stairs' because they needed stairs to talk to me. The Raiders know me as 'Kick 'Em', because I knocked out my roommate in practice, Marv Hubbard.

What do you miss most?
I realize that I can't play anymore, but while I was playing I would've played for free. I loved the game. I loved the sport, enjoyed playing football and the camaraderie.

What don't you miss?
Waking up on Monday morning and not being able to climb out of bed without hurting.

Was there a quarterback that you enjoyed hitting?
Not really. You don't get enjoyment out of that. You worry about them getting hurt, especially when you hit them on the back side. You try to hit them hard to let them know you're around. The main thing is the ball. The ball is the most important part of the game. He has the ball, so he's a target.

Who was the toughest opponent?
John Hannah from New England put a tight end in my shoulder. I used to be 6-foot-8; now I'm 6-7 from taking on too many pulling guards.

What is one word or phrase that you live by?
I borrow it from Al Davis, a commitment to excellence.

Who had the greatest influence on your life?
I've had a few. My college coach, [Walt] Kichefski and Coach Powell from high school. The fact that I was growing up they had the most influence on me during my early years in football. The discipline of the sport and humility. My father taught me humility. My mother is the one who put me out there. I would always come back crying into her arms and she would push me back there and say don't come crying back to mama, go back out there!

If you could come back today, which player would you want as a teammate?
Bruce Smith.

Did you laugh at Chuck Noll's accusation that your team was dirty?
Of course I did because I watched the Pittsburgh Steelers on film. They were the dirtiest team that ever was and they got credit for being the best. They were hitting guys out of bounds and they never got called for it. We never did that. I suspect Art Rooney had something to do with because he was on the rules committee.

What was the difference between playing for John Madden and Tom Flores?
Tom was very quiet. John, like his name, used to get red in the face all the time whenever something wasn't going right. He'd get very emotionally involved in the game.

Ted Hendricks played in eight Pro Bowls, seven AFC title games and four Super Bowls. (Allsport)

Which person did you most admire in football, past or present? Why?
The first quarterback I got to play with and practice against, Johnny Unitas. I admire him for his demeanor and total control of the game of football.

What is a perfect day?
Making all holes in one on the golf course.

What is your pet peeve?
I'm really easy to get along with. I think I learned that from football, I'm insensitive to pain. That's why nothing really bothers me. I'll skin my hand or any part of my body, I won't know when I'm hurt until I see the blood.

What are you intimidated by?
Somebody that's beating me in golf.

What is a typical day for you now?
I'm retired and I'm doing some remodeling right now. I do a lot of work for charity, especially cystic fibrosis, the Children's Miracle Network and the Special Olympics.

If you could have anyone over your house for dinner, who would you invite?
Mr. and Mrs. Davis and their sons because I love going to the games and watching the games with them.

For each of the following sports figures, what is the first thought that comes to mind?