Fran Rogel
Encyclopedia
Francis Stephen Rogel was an American football
fullback
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
of the NFL.
due to the college's post-World War II policy of giving admissions priority to returning veterans, Rogel spent the 1946 season playing at the California State Teachers College
. There he, along with other top-tier talent awaiting admission, helped propel the Vulcans football team to a 9-0-0 record.
Rogel continued on to Penn State, where he was a star fullback and linebacker
for three seasons. He was the Nittany Lions
' leading rusher each of those seasons and was on the 1948 Cotton Bowl Classic team which tied Southern Methodist
, 13-13.
where he did not miss a game his eight seasons with the team (1950–1957).
Rogel's style of play could be characterized by "Hey Diddle Diddle
, Rogel up the middle"—a popular cheer by Steelers fans
. Head coach Walt Kiesling
--a conservative-minded coach much like Marty Schottenheimer
would be years later with Marty Ball
--would start every game by running exactly the same play: "Rogel up the middle." One day, owner Art Rooney
suggested to Kiesling to throw
it instead. Not wanting to be undermined by Rooney, Kiesling had one of his lineman intentionally go offsides so it could nullify the play. Sure enough, against the rival
Cleveland Browns
, quarterback
Jim Finks
threw a touchdown pass that was nullified by the penalty. The following play after the penalty would be "Rogel up the middle."
By the time of his retirement following the 1957 season
, he was the Steelers' leading career rusher with 3,271 yards. He was a Pro Bowl
selection in his final season. Rogel also played briefly in the Canadian Football League
.
It is interesting to note that in 1959 Rogel was the playing coach of the Sarnia Golden Bears in the semi-pro ORFU. Because of his running style he was nicknamed "twinkle toes".
at age 74 on June 3, 2002, in Richland, Pennsylvania
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
of the NFL.
Collegiate career
Unable to enroll at Penn StatePennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
due to the college's post-World War II policy of giving admissions priority to returning veterans, Rogel spent the 1946 season playing at the California State Teachers College
California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania is a public university located in California, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1852, it is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cal U's enrollment is approximately 9,400.The main campus consists of about 38 buildings situated on 92 acres...
. There he, along with other top-tier talent awaiting admission, helped propel the Vulcans football team to a 9-0-0 record.
Rogel continued on to Penn State, where he was a star fullback and linebacker
Linebacker
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...
for three seasons. He was the Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
' leading rusher each of those seasons and was on the 1948 Cotton Bowl Classic team which tied Southern Methodist
SMU Mustangs
The SMU Mustangs is the name of the athletic teams representing Southern Methodist University. The Mustangs participate in the NCAA's Division I as a member of Conference USA. In 2005, SMU accepted an invitation to the Western Division of Conference USA, and left the Western Athletic Conference...
, 13-13.
NFL and CFL
Rogel was drafted by the Steelers in the eighth round (#100 overall) in the 1950 NFL Draft1950 NFL Draft
The 1950 National Football League Draft was held on January 20–21, 1950.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
where he did not miss a game his eight seasons with the team (1950–1957).
Rogel's style of play could be characterized by "Hey Diddle Diddle
Hey Diddle Diddle
"Hey Diddle Diddle" is an English nursery rhyme...
, Rogel up the middle"—a popular cheer by Steelers fans
Steeler Nation
Steeler Nation is the unofficial name of the fan base of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, coined by NFL Films narrator John Facenda in "Blueprint for Victory," the team's 1975 highlights film...
. Head coach Walt Kiesling
Walt Kiesling
Walter Andrew Kiesling was an American football player and coach.-Playing career:A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Kiesling played both offensive and defensive line at the University of St. Thomas...
--a conservative-minded coach much like Marty Schottenheimer
Marty Schottenheimer
Martin Edward "Marty" Schottenheimer is the current head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He has the most wins of any NFL coach...
would be years later with Marty Ball
Marty Ball
Marty Ball is a philosophy of football associated with and named after former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer. In simple terms, it means a focus on the running game, with passing used only to further the running game....
--would start every game by running exactly the same play: "Rogel up the middle." One day, owner Art Rooney
Art Rooney
Arthur Joseph "Art" Rooney, Sr. , often referred to as "The Chief", was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers American football franchise in the National Football League.-Family history:...
suggested to Kiesling to throw
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
it instead. Not wanting to be undermined by Rooney, Kiesling had one of his lineman intentionally go offsides so it could nullify the play. Sure enough, against the rival
Browns-Steelers rivalry
The Browns–Steelers rivalry is one of the most storied rivalries in the NFL. With 117 meetings and counting, it is the oldest rivalry and the most storied in the American Football Conference , surpassing any other rivalry in the conference by at least 5 contests. The two divisional foes have a...
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Jim Finks
Jim Finks
James Edward Finks was an American sports executive, primarily for American Professional Football.-Biography:...
threw a touchdown pass that was nullified by the penalty. The following play after the penalty would be "Rogel up the middle."
By the time of his retirement following the 1957 season
1957 NFL season
The 1957 NFL season was the 38th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended when the Detroit Lions crushed the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship Game, 59–14.-Major rule changes:...
, he was the Steelers' leading career rusher with 3,271 yards. He was a Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selection in his final season. Rogel also played briefly in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
.
It is interesting to note that in 1959 Rogel was the playing coach of the Sarnia Golden Bears in the semi-pro ORFU. Because of his running style he was nicknamed "twinkle toes".
Death
Rogel died of Parkinson's diseaseParkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
at age 74 on June 3, 2002, in Richland, Pennsylvania
Richland, Pennsylvania
Richland is a borough in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Lebanon, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,508 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richland is located at ....
.