Hank Bauer #37
Former Charger and Current Color Analyst
September 2009
What’s the most exciting Charger moment you experienced as a player, as a spectator/announcer or both?
HB: Favorite moment as broadcaster: LT's record scoring touchdown. As a spectator, Dennis Gibson's pass knockdown in Pittsburgh to send the boys to the Super Bowl, I was literally 10 feet away from it! As a player, being a big part of the win in Miami in the playoffs in what was voted the "game of the century" by SI for all of the sports!!!
Who is your favorite Charger past or present (you can’t choose yourself)?
HB: Ed White....never mentioned for the Hall of Fame, yet played 16 years, 4 super bowls with the Vikings, 2 AFC Championship games with us, started at 4 different O-Line positions.....just a GREAT teammate, an even better person. Talented artist off the field. A GREAT player who is very under appreciated.
How do you think the Chargers current ownership compares to that of other recent successful teams that have won Super Bowls – Pittsburgh (the Rooneys), New England (Kraft), etc. ?
HB: Very similar. They want to win here, and aren't afraid to spend the money to do so (e.g. Rivers' contract). Also, most importantly, they've established continuity here. One thing about the Pats and Steelers is there is a solid foundation at the top. By the way, while all other teams, AND the NFL [offices] cut personnel and payroll in the last year, the Chargers are the only team to NOT let one person go in their office. I think that says alot about the Spanos family. One thing I know for sure, Dean wants more than anything else in the world, to win a Super Bowl for his dad, and will do pretty much anything to get it done.
Do you feel the Chargers fully embrace their former players and history? Is there something the Chargers should do to elevate the past and bring those times and players to the forefront for the current generation of fans?
HB: This is a HUGE year in terms of embracing the history of this team. When the Spanos family bought this team in the mid 80's, it was like they wanted to erase all history of the franchise. As they matured in terms of ownership, they've really realized the importance of tradition, etc. and have truly embraced it. This is the 50th anniversary season and they are recognizing the top 10 moments and the top 50 players at their positions, and will be celebrating it all year. When once there was ZERO, there is now a lot of tradition being recognized and promoted. Jim Steeg and Bill Johnston have been key guys in promoting the great history of this franchise.
What is the one thing you hoped A.J. Smith had done this past offseason?
HB: Improve the defense. Ron Rivera's new playbook will be huge when it's unveiled in Oakland. Larry English and Vaughn Martin look to be the 'real deal'. Offense is sexy.....defense and kicking games win championships!
We have to talk about it. What are your thoughts on the Chargers getting a new stadium in San Diego County? Does it happen? Can you really see the Chargers in LA/OC?
HB: When asked by my current employers what I wanted out of this job, I answered simply, "I want to see this city, these fans, and this team win a Super Bowl, and I want to see a new stadium built.".....what you hear from the team is exactly what is going on. There are no 'back door deals' taking place, believe me. They wanna stay here, the fans want 'em here, the current stadium NEEDS to be replaced, but times are tough. I, like you all, only hope they never leave.
How do you think special teams play has evolved from the time you were playing to now?
HB: Rule changes. No wedges, no blocking below the waist, no helmet to helmet. C'mon......I'm all for safety and all, but let's get the dresses out....this if football!....in '81 I made 52 tackles, still the NFL record for special teams....now guys are going to the Pro Bowl making 20!.....
Can you name a special teamer on the Chargers from each decade (late 80s, 90s, 00s) that reminds you of yourself? HB: Derrie Nelson, Steve the Rocket Hendrickson, and Osgood
Most know you as Hammer. Where did the nickname ‘Howitzer’ come from?
HB: Our PR guy, Rick Smith tagged me with that, still calls me "Witzer", because he thought I looked like I was shot out of a cannon when I went into a wedge or over the top at the goal line. (Howitzer, medium sized cannon)
Who do you consider the leaders on this team?
HB: the guys you would expect, pretty much run this locker room. Not hard to figure out who they are. Rivers, LT, Hardwick, Cooper, Philips, Jamal (in his quiet, bear-like way). I don't spend a lot of time in the [locker] room, so I'm not for sure, just what I see on the road, on the planes, in the hotels.
When you were playing what was the best practical joke played on you?
HB: Louie Kelcher put my moped up in a tree in training camp, and when I walked out of a special teams meeting, the entire team got a great laugh. Do you know how heavy a moped is? That is how strong Louie was!
Is this LT’s final year with the Bolts?
HB: If he's healthy, for sure NOT LT's last year here.....he looks healthy to me, but hasn't had much room to run in preseason. I'm expecting a HUGE comeback year for him......he needs help though......gotta get better up front!
Who is not with the Chargers in two years (health not being a factor) of either Gates, Merriman, or Jackson?
HB: NOT going there.....not my job....foolish for ANYONE to speculate something like that, too many things can happen in the meantime....
Why is #80 (Kellen Winslow) not a retired Charger number?
HB: Only two numbers retired, correct? 14 and 19?.......if you retire 80, then you've gotta retire 18, and 74 ([Charlie] Joiner and [Ron] Mix, also hall of famers) WHY NOT?.....in my world, Hall of Fame would mean number retirement!
Who would have won between the late ‘70s Early ‘80s Chargers vs. Mid to Late ’00 Chargers?
HB: My team would win, 52-48. Read into that, what you may!
Who's on your all-time Charger Squad?
HB: OFFENSE
QB: Fouts
WR Alworth/Joiner
RB LT
FB Lorenzo Neal
OT Russ Washington/Ron Mix
OG Ed White/Doug Wilkerson/ Walt Sweeney
C Donnie Macek
TE Kellen Winslow
DEFENSE
DE Fred Dean/Leslie O' Neal
DT Big Hands Johnson/Louie Kelcher/Jamal Williams
LB Junior Seau/Woodrow Lowe/Shawn Merriman/Billy Ray Smith
DB Gil Byrd/Quentin Jammer/Rodney Harrison/Charlie McNeil/Speedie Duncan
Final Question: What is your prediction for the ’09 season?
HB: 11 and 5......
To everyone who contributed to this interview: Avi Barat, Kirk Howe, Tyson Elizondo,
Patrick Billings, Dominic Giammarinaro, and of course, Hank Bauer we say Thank You!