Jack Hinkle
| Date of birth | October 31, 1917 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Milton, Pennsylvania |
| Date of death | November 17, 2006 (aged 89) |
| Place of death | Norristown, Pennsylvania |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Halfback |
| College | Syracuse |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1940 | Jersey City Giants |
| 1940 | New York Giants |
| 1941 | New York Americans |
| 1941 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1943 | Phil-Pitt Steagles |
| 1944–1947 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career stats | |
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John M. Hinkle (October 31, 1917 – November 17, 2006) was a professional football player in the National Football League. During his career, he played for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and the "Steagles".
Prior to joining the New York Giants, Hinkle played for the Giants' American Association team, the Jersey City Giants. Upon joining the New York Giants, Hinkle was cut from the team after just three games due to an argument with Giants coach Steve Owen. When asked what the argument was about, Hinkle said "something asinine". He later signed with the New York Americans of the third American Football League in 1941. The Americans 1941 season ended just in time for Hinkle to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles for their last game of the season, against the Washington Redskins. That final game was held on December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan, thrusting the United States into World War II.
"When [Hinkle] gets in a game, he's a slambang player"
After a brief stint in the army in 1942, Hinkle was re-signed by the Eagles by coach Greasy Neale. Hinkle enjoyed his best season though in 1943, when a league-wide manning shortage, brought on by World War II, caused the Eagles to temporarily merge with the cross-state Pittsburgh Steelers. The merged team was called the "Steagles" by the media. With the Steagles, Hinkle rushed for a team-leading 571 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also intercepting four passes as a defensive back. He lost the 1943 NFL rushing title to the Giants' Bill Paschal by one yard. However it was in a game against the Giants that Hinkle was not given credit for a 37-yard run. Instead, due to a mix-up by official statistician Ross Kaufman, that run was credited to teammate John Butler. But Hinkle did not complain about not winning the NFL rushing crown; he figured with a war going on there were better things to cry about.
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