It took a while for Chris Hoke's National Football League career to get going, but now, it couldn't be going much better.
Hoke joined the Pittsburgh Steelers five years ago as an undrafted free agent after a solid career at BYU. Twice, he was cut by the Steelers, in 2001 and 2002, but he was recalled to the team both times.
Still, he played only two snaps in his first three seasons in the league. Today, Hoke is the backup noseguard on one of the NFL's best defenses — a modern-day Steel Curtain — and will play in the Super Bowl on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
"Things are going good. I'm excited," Hoke told the Deseret Morning News. "It's been a lifelong dream to play in the NFL and play in a Super Bowl. Now, I'm accomplishing both."
And, Hoke adds, Pittsburgh is a great place to do both.
"This is a football town. Fans here love the Steelers," he said. "I spoke at a banquet the other day and they gave me a standing ovation. It's amazing. It's like being a celebrity."
Hoke didn't always feel like a celebrity, though. For three seasons, he was an obscure member of the Steelers. "It was frustrating," he said. "All I needed was a shot, an opportunity to start. Sometimes you only get one shot."
His career took off last season when starting noseguard Casey Hampton blew out his knee, opening the door for Hoke, who started the last 10 games for the Steelers and performed well — so well that the Steelers rewarded him with a three-year, $2.7 million contract extension, which included a $500,000 signing bonus.
This season, Hoke has been a key contributor during Pittsburgh's run to the Super Bowl. Yet he is not the only former Cougar on the Steeler roster. Another defensive lineman, Brett Keisel, sees a lot of action as well. "Brett's a good guy and a great player," Hoke said. "He's been doing a great job. We're on the field a lot together. It's cool to have a guy who knows you on the team."
Hoke, who played at BYU from 1997-2000, and Keisel, who was a Cougar from 1998-2001, are looking forward to being reunited with another former BYU player, Seahawks tight end Itula Mili. "I haven't talked to Itula since we played together at BYU," Hoke said. "It will be good to see him again."
Hoke said he respects the Seahawks and what they, led by former BYU assistant coach Mike Holmgren, have accomplished this season. "Seattle has a great running back and a couple of Pro Bowlers on the offensive line. They play well together. (Matt) Hasselbeck is a good quarterback and they have a well-balanced offense."
Hoke remembers playing against the NFL's top rusher in 2005, Seattle's Shaun Alexander, in college. Alexander played for Alabama in 1998 when BYU visited Tuscaloosa for the season opener. Alexander rushed for a school-record five touchdowns before a crowd of 83,818 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide won, 38-31.
Pittsburgh's defense will be tested by Alexander and the entire Seattle offense, but Hoke is confident in how his team will do. "We're No. 1 in the NFL in total defense. I'm proud of that," he said. "We have a bunch of playmakers."
The Steelers became the first team since the 1985 New England Patriots to win three straight road games before advancing to the Super Bowl. Hoke says that is a testament to the type of team Pittsburgh has.
"I've felt all year like we were one of the best teams in the AFC," he said. "Then we had some injuries after we were 7-2 at one point. After we lost to Cincinnati, (coach Bill) Cowher told us that we weren't a bad team. He said we just had to keep playing hard. The win in Denver (in the AFC championship game) was huge. They were undefeated at home."
At least one former BYU player has participated in 22 of the last 30 Super Bowls, dating back to 1975. Last season, four former Cougars (Chad Lewis, Reno Mahe, Ifo Pili and coach Andy Reid) led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl.
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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com