Rick Volk
Encyclopedia
Richard Robert Volk is a former American football
player.
Volk played college football
for the University of Michigan
from 1964 to 1966 and was a member of the 1964 team
that won the Big Ten Conference
championship and defeated Oregon State
in the 1965 Rose Bowl
. He played as a defensive back
for Michigan's defensive unit and as a halfback
and quarterback
for the offensive unit. Volk was also selected by the Sporting News as a first-team All-American in 1967. In 1989, Volk was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
; Volk and Ron Johnson were the first two football players from the 1960s to be so honored.
Volk went on to a successful 12-year career as a safety in the National Football League
. He played nine years with the Baltimore Colts from 1967 to 1975. He was a member of the Colts' teams that lost Super Bowl III
to the New York Jets
and won Super Bowl V
against the Dallas Cowboys
. Volk was selected as an NFL All-Pro four times (1968–1971) and played in three Pro Bowl
s (1967, 1969, 1971). After being released by the Colts in April 1976, Volk concluded his playing career with the New York Giants
in 1976 and the Miami Dolphins
from 1977 to 1978. In 1977, Volk was selected by Baltimore fans as a starter for the Colts' 25th anniversary team.
, in 1945. He attended Wauseon High School
in Wauseon, Ohio
, where he was a three-sports star. He was an all-league basketball and baseball player and also played quarterback on the football team.
in 1963. His decision to attend Michigan rather than Ohio State
was influenced by family ties, including Bob Chappuis
, who was Volk's uncle and finished second in the Heisman Trophy
voting while playing for the undefeated 1947 Wolverines
. Volk noted:
Volk did more than sit on the bench at Michigan. He was a three-year starter from 1964 to 1966. Prior to the start of the 1964 season, Volk was given jersey no. 49 – the same number worn by his uncle when he played for Michigan. During the 1964 season, Volk played at the halfback
position on both offense and defense and also served as a backup at quarterback to Bob Timberlake. In his first game for the Wolverines, Volk intercepted a pass in the end zone against Air Force
. In his second game, he helped the Michigan defense hold scoreless a high-scoring Navy
team led by Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach
. He also threw a 33-yard touchdown pass against Northwestern
in October 1964. In a close victory over Minnesota
, after the Golden Gophers had cut Michigan's lead to five points and advanced the ball to Michigan's 7-yard line, Volk "smashed through to down the Gopher ball carrier, and save the game on fourth down." Volk was described by sports writer Joe Hendrickson as "instinctive — usually in the right place to mess things up for the opposition." Volk helped the 1964 Michigan team
win the Big Ten Conference
championship and defeat Oregon State
in the 1965 Rose Bowl
by a score of 34–7.
As a junior in 1965, Volk started all 10 games for Michigan at cornerback
and also started four games on offense as the left halfback. He was selected by both the Associated Press and the United Press International as a first-team All-Big Ten defensive back at the end of the 1965 season.
As a senior in 1966, Volk started all 10 games at safety and also started 2 games at fullback, and even started one game as quarterback. At the conclusion of the 1966 season, he was selected as a first-team All-American by the Sporting News. At the conclusion of his college football career at Michigan, the Newspaper Editors Association distributed a feature story on Volk, describing him as follows:
Volk was invited to play on the College All-Star team following his senior year. At the camp for the All-Star team, Volk was rated by the scouts as "the best all-around athlete among the high-priced talent preparing for pro debuts."
In 1989, Volk was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
. He joined his uncle, Bob Chappuis, who was inducted into the Hall of Honor five years earlier in 1984. Volk and Ron Johnson, both inducted in 1989, were the first two football players from the 1960s to be inducted into the Hall of Honor.
. He was selected four times as an NFL All-Pro (1968-1971) and played three times in the Pro Bowl
(1967, 1969, 1971). Volk also played in the Super Bowl
twice for the Baltimore Colts
as a member of the Super Bowl III
team and the Super Bowl V
winning team.
He made a name for himself as a rookie in 1967 by recovering an onside kick to help the Colts defeat the Packers. He also set a Colts team record for the longest interception runback with a 94-yard touchdown return against Chicago in November 1967. Volk's interception of the pass intended for Brian Piccolo was his third interception in four games. For his performance against the Bears, Volk was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Week. At the end of his rookie season, Volk was chosen to play in his first Pro Bowl
game.
In his second season with the team, Volk intercepted 6 passes and totaled 154 yards on interception returns. He also returned 25 punts for 198 yards (6th best in the NFL) in 1968. Volk was selected as a first-team NFL All-Pro player at the end of the 1968 NFL season
by the Pro Football Writers, the Newspaper Ent. Association, and the United Press International. The Colts won the NFL championship in 1968 and played Joe Namath
's AFL champion New York Jets
in Super Bowl III
. Volk was knocked unconscious during Super Bowl III when he collided helmet-to-helmet with Jets fullback Matt Snell
. Volk was rushed to the hospital after he went into convulsions. He was put in the intensive care ward for two days and moved to a regular room on the Tuesday after the game.
In 1970, Volk helped lead the Colts to another Super Bowl appearance, but were now representing the AFC following the merger of the two leagues (NFL and AFL) that year. This time, the Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys
in Super Bowl V
. Volk was responsible for covering Pro Football Hall of Fame
rs Bob Hayes
and Mike Ditka
in the Super Bowl, and he played a key role in the Colts' victory. In the fourth quarter, the Colts trailed the Cowboys 13–6. Volk intercepted a pass by Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton
at the Dallas 33-yard line and returned it 30 yards to the 3-yard line to set up the tying touchdown. Baltimore quarterback Earl Morrall
later referred to Volk's interception as the play of the game. Interviewed in 2009, Volk cited Super Bowl V as his fondest memory of playing in Baltimore. He recalled team owner Carroll Rosenbloom
flying the whole team, families included, to the Bahamas the day after the game: "The next day we all got on the plane and flew over to the Bahamas. He took the whole family – my wife and one kid, at the time. I remember we were on the beach, Tom Mitchell and I, and we got the paper to make sure it was really true - that we did win. Because this was like a dream come true on the sand beaches in the Bahamas."
Volk had his best season in 1971 when he was picked as a first-team NFL All-Pro by the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers, and the Newspaper Ent. Association. He remained with Colts for nine years and was one of the last players from the Super Bowl V champions to remain with the team. In 1974, one Maryland sports writer noted that Volk remained a solid performer: "Although the Colts suffered through an overall dismal campaign in 1973, Volk remained one of the few solid performers in an otherwise lackluster season." In June 1975, Volk prepared for his ninth season with the Colts as one columnist wrote:
Volk was placed on waivers by the Colts in April 1977; he was picked up by the Denver Broncos
one week later. With Volk's departure, punter David Lee was the sole remaining player on the Baltimore roster from the 1970 Super Bowl team.
In October 1977, Volk was selected as a starter on the Colts' 25th anniversary team. The team was selected by the fans in Baltimore, and the only players at any position to receive more votes than Volk were David Lee, Johnny Unitas
, Raymond Berry
, Alan Ameche
, Gino Marchetti
, John Mackey
, Mike Curtis
, Art Donovan
, Alex Sandusky
, Jim Parker
and Bobby Boyd
.
two weeks later. Volk did not play for the Dolphins in 1976 and was signed mid-season by the New York Giants
. Volk played in 8 games for the Giants in 1976 and tallied 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Volk was cut by the Giants in early September 1977, shortly before the start of the regular season. Volk recalled the disappointment at being cut by the Giants at age 32: "I felt I should have been in New York, but they went with younger people. I was very disappointed, especially to get cut at the end of training camp. I'd done all the hard training and was ready for the season – the fun time." Volk returned to his home in Baltimore and worked during the fall as a manufacturer's representative.
for the final month of the 1977 NFL season
. He played in three games for the 1977 Miami Dolphins
and had one interception (off Buffalo Bills
quarterback Joe Ferguson
). Miami head coach Don Shula
, who had worked with Volk in Baltimore, said, "We got him in the last four games, and he showed us some great hitting. He also didn't seem to have lost any speed."
During the 1978 NFL season
, Volk appeared in all 16 games for the Dolphins, 13 of them as a starter. Volk started the season strong, intercepting a pass in the season opener against the New York Jets
. In the second game of the season, the Dolphins played the Colts in Baltimore. Volk intercepted two passes against Baltimore quarterback Bill Troup
and helped the Dolphins to a 42–0 win. After the game, Volk told reporters, "I wanted to have a good game in Baltimore, and I couldn't have asked for anything better than the way it turned out." While Volk began the 1978 season as a starter, he was replaced by Charlie Babb
for the final four games. After the Dolphins lost the AFC wildcard game to the Oilers, Volk announced his retirement. Volk told reporters he had wanted to end his career with a championship team and added, "When the game's over, you can't worry about it. For most of the guys, there'll be another season. For me, this is it."
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...
player.
Volk played 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...
for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1964 to 1966 and was a member of the 1964 team
1964 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1964 Michigan Wolverines football team, coached by Bump Elliott, won the Big Ten Conference championship with a final record of 9–1 after defeating Oregon State in the Rose Bowl, 34–7. The team had two first-team All-Americans in quarterback Bob Timberlake and defensive tackle Bill...
that won the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship and defeated Oregon State
1964 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 1964 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the 1964 NCAA college football season. The Beavers ended this season with eight wins and three losses in their first season in the Athletic Association of Western Universites after competing as an independent for...
in the 1965 Rose Bowl
1965 Rose Bowl
The 1965 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1965 was the 51st Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Oregon State Beavers by a score of 34–7...
. He played as a defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
for Michigan's defensive unit and as a halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
and 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...
for the offensive unit. Volk was also selected by the Sporting News as a first-team All-American in 1967. In 1989, Volk was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
The University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
; Volk and Ron Johnson were the first two football players from the 1960s to be so honored.
Volk went on to a successful 12-year career as a safety in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played nine years with the Baltimore Colts from 1967 to 1975. He was a member of the Colts' teams that lost Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
to 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...
and won Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V was an American football game played on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1970 regular season...
against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Volk was selected as an NFL All-Pro four times (1968–1971) and played in three 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...
s (1967, 1969, 1971). After being released by the Colts in April 1976, Volk concluded his playing career with the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1976 and 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...
from 1977 to 1978. In 1977, Volk was selected by Baltimore fans as a starter for the Colts' 25th anniversary team.
Early years
Volk was born in Toledo, OhioToledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, in 1945. He attended Wauseon High School
Wauseon High School
Wauseon High School is a public high school in Wauseon, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Wauseon Exempted Village School District. The mascot is the Indians, and they are members of the Northwest Ohio Athletic League....
in Wauseon, Ohio
Wauseon, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,091 people, 2,706 households, and 1,875 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,437.6 people per square mile . There were 2,851 housing units at an average density of 578.0 per square mile...
, where he was a three-sports star. He was an all-league basketball and baseball player and also played quarterback on the football team.
University of Michigan
Volk enrolled at the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1963. His decision to attend Michigan rather than Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
was influenced by family ties, including Bob Chappuis
Bob Chappuis
Robert Richard "Bob" Chappuis is a former American football player who played halfback and quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1942, 1946, and 1947. His college years were interrupted by service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II...
, who was Volk's uncle and finished second in the Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
voting while playing for the undefeated 1947 Wolverines
1947 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1947 Michigan Wolverines football team, nicknamed the "Mad Magicians", represented the University of Michigan in the 1947 college football season. Coached by Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines finished undefeated and untied with a 10–0 record...
. Volk noted:
"I had all these stories growing up. He [Bob Chappuis] was my hero, so I always wanted to go to Michigan. ... And I didn't like Woody [HayesWoody HayesWayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
] anyway. It was just my Grandpa telling me because he didn't like Woody, and he hoped Woody would choke on his Thanksgiving turkey. ... Because of Uncle Bob going to Michigan, that's where I wanted to go. You know, I loved the helmets, loved the uniforms. I said 'Hey, if I could just sit on the bench, that's all I care about.'"
Volk did more than sit on the bench at Michigan. He was a three-year starter from 1964 to 1966. Prior to the start of the 1964 season, Volk was given jersey no. 49 – the same number worn by his uncle when he played for Michigan. During the 1964 season, Volk played at the halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
position on both offense and defense and also served as a backup at quarterback to Bob Timberlake. In his first game for the Wolverines, Volk intercepted a pass in the end zone against Air Force
Air Force Falcons football
The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:...
. In his second game, he helped the Michigan defense hold scoreless a high-scoring Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
team led by Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys'...
. He also threw a 33-yard touchdown pass against Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
in October 1964. In a close victory over Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
, after the Golden Gophers had cut Michigan's lead to five points and advanced the ball to Michigan's 7-yard line, Volk "smashed through to down the Gopher ball carrier, and save the game on fourth down." Volk was described by sports writer Joe Hendrickson as "instinctive — usually in the right place to mess things up for the opposition." Volk helped the 1964 Michigan team
1964 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1964 Michigan Wolverines football team, coached by Bump Elliott, won the Big Ten Conference championship with a final record of 9–1 after defeating Oregon State in the Rose Bowl, 34–7. The team had two first-team All-Americans in quarterback Bob Timberlake and defensive tackle Bill...
win the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championship and defeat Oregon State
1964 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 1964 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the 1964 NCAA college football season. The Beavers ended this season with eight wins and three losses in their first season in the Athletic Association of Western Universites after competing as an independent for...
in the 1965 Rose Bowl
1965 Rose Bowl
The 1965 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1965 was the 51st Rose Bowl Game. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Oregon State Beavers by a score of 34–7...
by a score of 34–7.
As a junior in 1965, Volk started all 10 games for Michigan at cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
and also started four games on offense as the left halfback. He was selected by both the Associated Press and the United Press International as a first-team All-Big Ten defensive back at the end of the 1965 season.
As a senior in 1966, Volk started all 10 games at safety and also started 2 games at fullback, and even started one game as quarterback. At the conclusion of the 1966 season, he was selected as a first-team All-American by the Sporting News. At the conclusion of his college football career at Michigan, the Newspaper Editors Association distributed a feature story on Volk, describing him as follows:
"Rick Volk is a safety man who conjures up an image of homemade apple pie and pancakes smothered in maple syrup, Saturday night movies and picnics in a wooded grove. He is clear-eyed and smooth-cheeked, with a short tilted nose and a smile that shows white. He couldn't be more pure mid-Americana if he were framed by a billboard."
Volk was invited to play on the College All-Star team following his senior year. At the camp for the All-Star team, Volk was rated by the scouts as "the best all-around athlete among the high-priced talent preparing for pro debuts."
In 1989, Volk was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
The University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
. He joined his uncle, Bob Chappuis, who was inducted into the Hall of Honor five years earlier in 1984. Volk and Ron Johnson, both inducted in 1989, were the first two football players from the 1960s to be inducted into the Hall of Honor.
Baltimore Colts
Volk played as a strong safety for twelve seasons in the NFLNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was selected four times as an NFL All-Pro (1968-1971) and played three times in the 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...
(1967, 1969, 1971). Volk also played in the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
twice for the Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
as a member of the Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
team and the Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V was an American football game played on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1970 regular season...
winning team.
He made a name for himself as a rookie in 1967 by recovering an onside kick to help the Colts defeat the Packers. He also set a Colts team record for the longest interception runback with a 94-yard touchdown return against Chicago in November 1967. Volk's interception of the pass intended for Brian Piccolo was his third interception in four games. For his performance against the Bears, Volk was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Week. At the end of his rookie season, Volk was chosen to play in his first 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...
game.
In his second season with the team, Volk intercepted 6 passes and totaled 154 yards on interception returns. He also returned 25 punts for 198 yards (6th best in the NFL) in 1968. Volk was selected as a first-team NFL All-Pro player at the end of the 1968 NFL season
1968 NFL season
The 1968 NFL season was the 49th regular season of the National Football League. As per the agreement made during the 1967 realignment, the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants switched divisions; the Saints joined the Century Division while the Giants became part of the Capitol Division.The...
by the Pro Football Writers, the Newspaper Ent. Association, and the United Press International. The Colts won the NFL championship in 1968 and played 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 AFL champion 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 Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
. Volk was knocked unconscious during Super Bowl III when he collided helmet-to-helmet with Jets fullback Matt Snell
Matt Snell
Matt Snell was the American Football League's New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin's first coup, prior to his 1965 acquisition of Joe Namath...
. Volk was rushed to the hospital after he went into convulsions. He was put in the intensive care ward for two days and moved to a regular room on the Tuesday after the game.
In 1970, Volk helped lead the Colts to another Super Bowl appearance, but were now representing the AFC following the merger of the two leagues (NFL and AFL) that year. This time, the Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V
Super Bowl V was an American football game played on January 17, 1971, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1970 regular season...
. Volk was responsible for covering Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
rs Bob Hayes
Bob Hayes
Robert Lee "Bullet Bob" Hayes was an Olympic sprinter turned American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. An American track and field athlete, he was a two-sport stand-out in college in both track and football at Florida A&M University...
and Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
in the Super Bowl, and he played a key role in the Colts' victory. In the fourth quarter, the Colts trailed the Cowboys 13–6. Volk intercepted a pass by Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton
Craig Morton
Larry Craig Morton is a former professional football player. He played quarterback in the National Football League for 18 seasons, 1965-82...
at the Dallas 33-yard line and returned it 30 yards to the 3-yard line to set up the tying touchdown. Baltimore quarterback Earl Morrall
Earl Morrall
Earl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
later referred to Volk's interception as the play of the game. Interviewed in 2009, Volk cited Super Bowl V as his fondest memory of playing in Baltimore. He recalled team owner Carroll Rosenbloom
Carroll Rosenbloom
Carroll Rosenbloom was an American entrepreneur and former owner of two professional football teams, the Baltimore Colts and the Los Angeles Rams....
flying the whole team, families included, to the Bahamas the day after the game: "The next day we all got on the plane and flew over to the Bahamas. He took the whole family – my wife and one kid, at the time. I remember we were on the beach, Tom Mitchell and I, and we got the paper to make sure it was really true - that we did win. Because this was like a dream come true on the sand beaches in the Bahamas."
Volk had his best season in 1971 when he was picked as a first-team NFL All-Pro by the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers, and the Newspaper Ent. Association. He remained with Colts for nine years and was one of the last players from the Super Bowl V champions to remain with the team. In 1974, one Maryland sports writer noted that Volk remained a solid performer: "Although the Colts suffered through an overall dismal campaign in 1973, Volk remained one of the few solid performers in an otherwise lackluster season." In June 1975, Volk prepared for his ninth season with the Colts as one columnist wrote:
"Rick Volk has seen both ends of the rainbow in his tenure with the Baltimore Colts. The personable veteran defensive back has known the sweet taste of success, attested by the Super Bowl ring he often wears, and also has survived the agony of defeat — especially after people like Don Shula, John Unitas, Bubba Smith and Tom Matte were no longer wanted or appreciated in the Monumental City."
Volk was placed on waivers by the Colts in April 1977; he was picked up by the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
one week later. With Volk's departure, punter David Lee was the sole remaining player on the Baltimore roster from the 1970 Super Bowl team.
In October 1977, Volk was selected as a starter on the Colts' 25th anniversary team. The team was selected by the fans in Baltimore, and the only players at any position to receive more votes than Volk were David Lee, Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas
John Constantine Unitas , known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football...
, Raymond Berry
Raymond Berry
Raymond Emmett Berry is a former football wide receiver. He played for the Baltimore Colts during their two NFL championship wins. He later had a career in coaching, highlighted by his trip to Super Bowl XX as head coach of the New England Patriots...
, Alan Ameche
Alan Ameche
Lino Dante "Alan" Ameche , nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first...
, Gino Marchetti
Gino Marchetti
Gino John Marchetti is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. A defensive end, he played in 1952 for the Dallas Texans and from 1953 to 1966 for the Baltimore Colts.-Early years:...
, John Mackey
John Mackey (American football)
John Mackey was an American Football tight end who grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island and played for the Baltimore Colts and the San Diego Chargers . He played college football at Syracuse University...
, Mike Curtis
Mike Curtis (American football)
James Michael "Mike" Curtis is a former professional American football player for the Baltimore Colts, the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins, who played 14 seasons from 1965 to 1978 in the National Football League. He was a four-time Pro Bowler in 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1974. He was...
, Art Donovan
Art Donovan
Arthur Donovan, Jr. is a former American football defensive tackle, better known as Art 'How much does dat guy weigh?' Donovan, who played for three National Football League teams, most notably the Baltimore Colts...
, Alex Sandusky
Alex Sandusky
Alexander Vincent Sandusky is a former guard who played thirteen seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League. Sandusky attended Clarion State College ....
, Jim Parker
Jim Parker (American football)
James Thomas "Jim" Parker was a college and professional American football player in the 1950s and '60s. He is a member of the College and Professional Football Halls of Fame.-College career:...
and Bobby Boyd
Bobby Boyd
Robert Dean Boyd is a former NFL cornerback who played for the Baltimore Colts in a nine-year career from 1960 to 1968. A quarterback in college at the University of Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson, Boyd was a two-time Pro Bowler, was voted First Team All-Pro three times, and led the NFL with 9...
.
New York Giants
Volk was cut by the Broncos in August 1976 and signed by the Miami DolphinsMiami 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...
two weeks later. Volk did not play for the Dolphins in 1976 and was signed mid-season by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Volk played in 8 games for the Giants in 1976 and tallied 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Volk was cut by the Giants in early September 1977, shortly before the start of the regular season. Volk recalled the disappointment at being cut by the Giants at age 32: "I felt I should have been in New York, but they went with younger people. I was very disappointed, especially to get cut at the end of training camp. I'd done all the hard training and was ready for the season – the fun time." Volk returned to his home in Baltimore and worked during the fall as a manufacturer's representative.
Miami Dolphins
Volk signed with the Miami DolphinsMiami 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...
for the final month of the 1977 NFL season
1977 NFL season
The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. The Seattle Seahawks were placed in the AFC West while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were slotted in the NFC Central....
. He played in three games for the 1977 Miami Dolphins
1977 Miami Dolphins season
The 1977 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 12th as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins improved upon their previous season's output of 6–8, winning ten games. Despite the improvement, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight...
and had one interception (off Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback Joe Ferguson
Joe Ferguson
Joseph Carlton Ferguson, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the NFL. Ferguson played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he still holds the school's single game record for most completions and in that same season was named the Southwest Conference's Offensive...
). Miami head coach Don Shula
Don Shula
Donald Francis "Don" Shula is a former American football cornerback and coach.He is best known as coach of the Miami Dolphins, the team he led to two Super Bowl victories, and to the National Football League's only perfect season. Shula was named 1993 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated....
, who had worked with Volk in Baltimore, said, "We got him in the last four games, and he showed us some great hitting. He also didn't seem to have lost any speed."
During the 1978 NFL season
1978 NFL season
The 1978 NFL season was the 59th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded the regular season from a 14-game schedule to 16. Furthermore, the playoff format was expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams by adding another wild card from each conference...
, Volk appeared in all 16 games for the Dolphins, 13 of them as a starter. Volk started the season strong, intercepting a pass in the season opener against 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 the second game of the season, the Dolphins played the Colts in Baltimore. Volk intercepted two passes against Baltimore quarterback Bill Troup
Bill Troup
William Troup was a former professional American football player. An undrafted quarterback from the University of South Carolina, Troup played in 7 NFL seasons from 1974-1980 for 2 different teams....
and helped the Dolphins to a 42–0 win. After the game, Volk told reporters, "I wanted to have a good game in Baltimore, and I couldn't have asked for anything better than the way it turned out." While Volk began the 1978 season as a starter, he was replaced by Charlie Babb
Charlie Babb
For the baseball player, see Charlie Babb Charles David Babb was a safety for the Miami Dolphins . He is a graduate of Charleston High School in Charleston, Missouri. Both of Charlie's parents are deaf, making for an interesting home life for Charlie as a child....
for the final four games. After the Dolphins lost the AFC wildcard game to the Oilers, Volk announced his retirement. Volk told reporters he had wanted to end his career with a championship team and added, "When the game's over, you can't worry about it. For most of the guys, there'll be another season. For me, this is it."
Career statistics
Volk retired with 38 career interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries. He also totaled 574 yards on interception returns and 548 yards on punt returns.Later years
Volk began working as a manufacturer's representative while still playing football. He continued in that business after retiring from football. Interviewed in 2009, Volk was selling industrial equipment to steel mills.See also
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of HonorUniversity of Michigan Athletic Hall of HonorThe University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...