From the Clay County (FL) Leader

Speed, speed and more speed is the key to success as a wide receiver. That’s what Al Hammer told the Lake Asbury Junior High football team in an impromptu, end-of-season pep talk at the school.

Hammer, 62, and a three-year resident of the Moosehaven retirement community in Orange Park, is a former pro football player for the Philadelphia Eagles (1957-58). He was on the Eagles taxi squad, a third string wide receiver, and earned about $5,000 per year in salary.

“I had speed back then, and that is what separated me from other wide receivers,” said Hammer. “If you think about it, there are 10 million high school ballplayers, 10,000 college ballplayers and one of them thinks they can make the pros.”

Hammer visited the home of the Tigers and talked to the players on a request from Lake Asbury coach Gary Bonds who continually stresses strength and speed in his weekly practices.

Hammer played for Penn State University in his college days and the Eagles in the pros with the likes of Hall of Famers Tommy McDonald, Chuck Bednarik and Norm Van Brocklin He had just six NFL passes before breaking an ankle and ending his career.

“I was once timed at Penn State in the 100-yard dash in 10.6 and then asked how I ran so fast,” said Hammer. “I told that reporter, everyday in practice big Rosey Grier, a former member of the legendary Los Angeles Rams Fearsome Foursome defensive line, would be chasing me. That’s why I ran fast.”

Hammer told the players to keep diligent with their preseason conditioning and continue to work on their strength. He even suggested they try out for the cross country team and a pair of combat boots.

“The average career of an NFL player back then was four years, seven months,” said Hammer. “Now, with all the technology, it is just four years, six months. It’s still a matter of strength and conditioning. The legs are the primary part injured. We used to run with boots on.”

Hammer gave the players a little tongue-in-cheek advise concerning getting opponents off their game.

“Be nice to them,” he said. “If they hit you, get up and say something nice, say, ‘I love you, man.’ Get in their head for the rest of the game.”

Afflicted with Parkinson’s, Hammer’s eyes lit up when he was able to sit among the team players for a photo.

“I still think about football a lot,” said Hammer. “I like the Miami Dolphins and watch them as much as I can.”