Doug Plank — “The Original 46” — joins the show for an incredible deep dive into football, toughness, leadership, and life after the game. From growing up in Irwin, Pennsylvania and becoming an All-State running back, to starring at Ohio State Buckeyes football alongside 2x Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, Doug shares stories from every stage of his football journey.

Doug talks about overcoming injuries early in college, fighting his way back to the pros, and what it was like walking into the legendary Chicago Bears locker room for the first time. He also reflects on playing under coaches Jack Pardee, Neill Armstrong, and the iconic Mike Ditka.

The conversation dives into the legendary “46 Defense,” how Doug studied quarterbacks as a free safety, the hardest hitters he faced, trash talk on the field, and the famous divide between the Bears’ 1985 offense and defense featured in ESPN’s 30 for 30 coverage.

Doug also opens up about retirement from the NFL, playing in the USFL, coaching in the Arena Football League, and life after football. Plus, we wrap things up with our signature Binge Burner Round.

This is an awesome conversation filled with old-school football stories, NFL history, and behind-the-scenes insight from one of the toughest players of his era.

0:00 Introduction

0:49 All State RB in High School

3:26 High School Baseball Experience

4:59 Destination Ohio State & Irwin, PA Roots

8:03 Doug's First Choice of College

8:54 Letter Writing to Joe Paterno

10:50 Doug's Request to Joe Paterno That Led Him to Ohio State

11:57 Woody Hayes Recruitment of Doug

14:13 PA High School All-Star Game (Big 33 Game) & Penn State coaches

17:02 Doug's First Practice at Ohio State

18:43 Ohio State vs Penn State

19:44 Freshman Year Injury and Its Impact on Doug's Playing Time

23:29 Playing With 2x Heisman Winner Archie Griffin

25:38 Getting Drafted and Walking Into The Bears Locker Room for the First Time

33:56 Playing for Pardee, Armstrong and Ditka

38:46 Any Hard Hits on Doug Plank

42:05 Reading the QBs being a Free Safety

45:04 What Made The “46-D’ Great 50:19 30 for 30 and the Split between the ’86 Beard Offense and Defense

51:48 Retirement from the NFL and Playing in the USFL

54:00 What Players Did Doug Like Playing Against

55:52 Coaching in the Arena Football League

1:00:47 Post Football Retirement Discussion

1:11:51 Binge Burner Round (Wally Chambers, Jim Osborne, Mike Ditka, Gary Fencik)

1:20:59 Trash Talking On The Field

1:25:10 Closing Comments and Outro

Thanks for tuning in and be sure to leave a comment for Doug.

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