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Russ Hochstein
Russ Hochstein
Russ Hochstein
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Russ Hochstein (born October 7, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers,[1] he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft.[2] He played for the Buccaneers for two seasons from 2001 to 2002 (but was released in 2002 before the team won the Super Bowl), the New England Patriots for seven seasons from 2002 to 2008 (earning two Super Bowl rings with the team), and the Denver Broncos for three seasons from 2009 to 2011.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Hochstein was born in Hartington, Nebraska and is a graduate of Cedar Catholic High School,[3] where he was an award-winning performer in school plays, and a letterman in football, basketball, and track and field. In football, he played the offensive line, defensive line and middle linebacker positions, and finished his high school career with 18 sacks, 309 tackles, eight fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.

Professional career

[edit]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]

Hochstein was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft.[2][4]

New England Patriots

[edit]

Hochstein signed with the New England Patriots in 2002. He started in 2003 after Damien Woody (who had moved from Center to fill in for the injured Mike Compton) was injured in the first round of the playoffs. After Damien Woody left for Detroit in the 2004 offseason, Hochstein started the first two games of the 2004 season before filling in at Tight end, offensive tackle and Fullback in the remaining regular season games and Super Bowl XXXIX. Hochstein started the final seven games of the 2005 season at center when Dan Koppen was injured and started a career high eight games in 2007 at center and right guard for the New England Patriots. He remained a special teams contributor and first choice backup interior offensive lineman.

Denver Broncos

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Hochstein while with the Denver Broncos.

Hochstein was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a seventh-round selection (which the Patriots had sent with Le Kevin Smith in a prior trade) in the 2010 NFL draft on August 25, 2009. The move reunited Hochstein with Broncos head coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Hochstein started 10 of the 15 games in which he played for the Broncos in 2009. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury on December 28. He was re-signed by the Broncos on March 5, 2010.

Arizona Cardinals

[edit]

On July 26, 2012, Hochstein signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He was released during the final cutdown period.

Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Hochstein on September 25, 2012.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Russ Hochstein

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Russ Hochstein (born October 7, 1977) is a former offensive lineman who played as a and guard in the (NFL) for 11 seasons from 2001 to 2012. Drafted in the fifth round (151st overall) by the out of the University of Nebraska in the , Hochstein appeared in 149 regular-season games with 37 starts, primarily serving as a versatile backup and occasional starter on the interior line. His career highlight was earning two rings with the , whom he joined in 2002 and played for until 2008, contributing to victories in and XXXIX as part of a dominant offensive line that supported quarterback Tom Brady's early successes. At the University of Nebraska, Hochstein was a three-year starter for the Cornhuskers from 1998 to 2000, earning first-team All-American honors in 2000 and twice being named second-team All-Big 12 in 1999 and 2000. During his senior year, he set a school record with 149 "pancake" blocks (downing defenders) and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, recognizing the nation's top interior lineman. After brief stints with the Buccaneers, Hochstein joined the Patriots in 2002. He was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2009, starting 10 games at left guard that year and playing there through 2011. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012 but was released before the season, then moved to the Kansas City Chiefs for his final season, appearing in 11 games. Known for his durability and positional flexibility—lining up at left guard, right guard, and center—Hochstein retired following the 2012 season.

Early life and education

High school career

Russ Hochstein was born on October 7, 1977, in Hartington, , where he grew up in a small community and developed as a multi-sport from an early age. At Cedar Catholic High School in Hartington, Hochstein participated in football, , and , earning 12 varsity letters across the three sports during his four years. In football, he played as an offensive lineman and middle linebacker, contributing on both sides of the ball as a . His defensive performance included nearly 100 tackles each year for three seasons. As a senior, Hochstein earned all-class and all-state honors as an offensive lineman, as well as BlueChip Illustrated recognition, highlighting his versatility and impact in leading his team to four consecutive state playoff appearances. These accomplishments, combined with his athletic prowess in (where he averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds as a senior) and track (where he broke the school's 23-year-old shot put record), positioned him for higher-level opportunities. Hochstein's high school success culminated in his decision to attend the University of , where he signed to continue his football career with the Cornhuskers.

College career

Russ Hochstein enrolled at the University of in 1996, playing offensive line for the Cornhuskers from 1996 to 2000 under head coaches through the 1997 season and from 1998 onward. He redshirted as a freshman in 1996 and saw limited action as a redshirt in 1998. Hochstein emerged as a key contributor in his final two seasons, starting all 24 games at guard in 1999 and 2000 while starting the final 29 contests of his career overall. In 1999, he ranked second on the team with 126 pancakes (knockdown blocks), averaging 10.5 per game, and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. As a senior in 2000, Hochstein served as team co-captain and anchored the offensive line that propelled to an NCAA-leading 349.3 rushing yards per game. For his performance, he received first-team All-American recognition from and his second consecutive second-team All-Big 12 selection, along with the Cletus Fischer Native Son Award as Nebraska's top senior athlete. Throughout his tenure, Hochstein contributed to the Cornhuskers' 1997 national championship squad, though in a reserve role that year, and amassed 346 career pancakes. Measuring 6 feet 4 inches and 300 pounds entering the NFL Draft, these attributes factored into his selection in the fifth round by the in .

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Russ Hochstein was selected by the in the fifth round, 151st overall, of the out of the University of Nebraska. As a offensive guard, he spent the entire 2001 season on the active roster but remained inactive for all 16 regular-season games, focusing primarily on learning the professional level and developing his skills in and practices. In 2002, Hochstein saw his first action on the field, making his debut in the season-opening loss to the on September 8 as a backup on the offensive line. His role remained limited, with no starts in the one game played, as he continued to serve as depth behind established linemen while adapting to the speed and physicality of competition. The Buccaneers finished the regular season 12-4 and advanced to the playoffs, but Hochstein's on-field contributions were minimal during this period of team success. Hochstein was waived by on October 16, 2002, after being briefly re-signed to their earlier in the month following an initial release from the 53-man roster. Over his two-season tenure with , he appeared in just one game without a start, emphasizing his early development as a versatile interior lineman capable of playing guard and positions. Following his release, he joined the ' later that year.

New England Patriots

Hochstein joined the in early 2002 after his release from the , initially signing to the team's before being elevated to the active roster later that season. Over the next seven years, from 2002 to 2008, he established himself as a versatile backup on the offensive line, appearing in 91 regular-season games and starting 20 times while contributing to the unit's reliability during the Patriots' dominant era. His ability to play both guard and center positions made him a valuable depth player, often stepping in for injured starters such as at left guard in 2003 and at center in 2005. In 2003, Hochstein started one regular-season game at left guard but played a larger role in the playoffs, starting the against the and against the , where he helped protect quarterback en route to a 32-29 victory. The following year, he made two regular-season starts early in the campaign, aiding the team's undefeated regular season before contributing in the postseason en route to a win over the . By , injuries to Koppen elevated Hochstein to the starting center role for the final seven regular-season games and both playoff games, where he anchored the line during a 10-6 season that ended in a divisional-round loss. He added eight starts at guard in 2007 amid another injury-riddled year for the line, helping the 16-0 regular-season reach . Hochstein's tenure with the Patriots, which accounted for the majority of his 37 career regular-season starts across 149 games, culminated in three championships (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX), earning him three rings as part of the franchise's early dynasty. His positional flexibility extended beyond the line, as he occasionally lined up at fullback in short-yardage situations, underscoring his utility in Bill Belichick's adaptable schemes. On August 25, 2009, the Patriots traded Hochstein to the in exchange for a 2010 seventh-round draft pick, ending his time in .

Denver Broncos

Hochstein was acquired by the via trade from the New England Patriots on August 25, 2009, in exchange for a 2010 seventh-round draft pick. In the 2009 season, under head coach , Hochstein appeared in 15 games and started 10 at left guard and , providing stability to a reshuffled offensive line. However, during the Week 16 matchup against the , he sustained an injury in the third quarter that required and sidelined him for the regular-season finale, ending his year on injured reserve. Over the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Hochstein served primarily in a backup capacity amid a deepening offensive line roster, appearing in all 16 games with six starts at left guard in , and in 15 regular-season games without a start in —though he earned two postseason starts that year. His role emphasized rotational depth rather than consistent starting duties, as younger linemen filled primary spots under McDaniels in and John Fox in . Throughout his three seasons in Denver, Hochstein contributed versatility across guard and center positions, bolstering line depth during transitional periods in coaching and personnel. He was released by the Broncos in March 2012 following the expiration of his contract.

Arizona Cardinals

On July 26, 2012, Russ Hochstein signed a one-year contract with the as an unrestricted free agent to add veteran depth to the offensive line. Hochstein participated in the Cardinals' training camp and preseason activities following the signing. However, he was released by the team on August 31, 2012, during the final roster cutdown, and did not appear in any regular-season games for . This brief stint represented Hochstein's unsuccessful attempt to extend his career after entering free agency at the conclusion of his tenure with the .

Kansas City Chiefs

After being released by the during final roster cuts in August 2012, Hochstein signed a one-year contract with the on September 25, 2012, to bolster the team's offensive line depth following injuries. In his only season with the Chiefs, Hochstein appeared in 11 games, primarily providing veteran support on the offensive line, and recorded one start at guard. He contributed on special teams for 33 snaps but did not record any defensive statistics or fumble recoveries that year. Hochstein retired following the 2012 season, ending a 12-year career that saw him play in 149 games with 37 starts and one recovery across four teams. As a versatile interior lineman capable of playing guard and , he had embarked on an undrafted-like journey despite being selected in the fifth round of the by the .

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

After retiring from the NFL following the 2012 season with the , Russ Hochstein did not immediately pursue coaching, instead focusing on other endeavors before transitioning to the high school level over a decade later. Hochstein currently serves as the offensive line coach at Bishop Feehan High School in , drawing on his extensive experience along the line to mentor young players. He joined the Shamrocks staff in the summer of 2024, working alongside his former teammate in the same role. Under their guidance, Bishop Feehan developed a formidable offensive front that contributed to the team's strong 9-2 record during the 2024 season, including an undefeated 6-0 mark in league play. A key personal motivation for Hochstein's involvement is the opportunity to coach his son, Blaze Hochstein, who plays offensive line for the Shamrocks.

Personal life and honors

Hochstein has been married to his wife, Christine, a native and teacher whom he met during his time with the , since 2007. The couple has three children—Blaise (known as Blaze), Dex, and Sierra—and resides in North . Blaze, following in his father's footsteps as an offensive lineman, plays at Bishop Feehan in Attleboro, where Hochstein serves as a coach. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Hochstein was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2014 as part of a class that included fellow Huskers and Carl Johnson. The following year, in 2015, he received further honors with induction into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame for his standout athletic career at Hartington Cedar Catholic High School, where he earned all-state honors in multiple sports. Hochstein's NFL tenure is distinguished by his rare achievement of being on the rosters of three consecutive Super Bowl-winning teams—the 2002 () and the 2003 and 2004 (Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX)—earning three championship rings. He remains celebrated for his durability and versatility as an offensive lineman, contributing to 149 games over 12 seasons across five teams.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HochRu20.htm
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2700/russ-hochstein
  3. https://huskers.com/sports/football/roster/player/russ-hochstein
  4. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/4613/russ-hochstein
  5. https://nebhalloffame.org/russ-hochstein-hartington-cedar-catholic/
  6. https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/sports/2004/01/31/pressure-heavily-on-hochstein/50944194007/
  7. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/catching-up-with-russ-hochstein-2183565
  8. https://www.si.com/college/nebraska/football/dave-feit-s-greatest-huskers-by-the-numbers-55-russ-hochstein-jason-peter-christian-peter-frank-solich-tom-osborne
  9. https://www.showofficeonline.com/NFF/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2014HallofFameProgram.pdf
  10. https://huskers.com/news/2007/07/11/from-nebraska-to-the-nfl-russ-hochstein
  11. https://www.huskermax.com/records/2001/pancakesmain.html
  12. https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-te-chris-baker-re-sign-ol-russ-hochstein-155811
  13. https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/get-me-russ-hochstein/368276
  14. https://www.footballdb.com/players/russ-hochstein-hochsru01
  15. https://www.patriots.com/news/behind-the-scenes-with-g-c-russ-hochstein-136601
  16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HochRu20/gamelog/2003/
  17. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HochRu20/gamelog/2004/
  18. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HochRu20/gamelog/2005/
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HochRu20/gamelog/2007/
  20. https://www.denverpost.com/2009/08/25/patriots-trade-hochstein-to-denver-for-draft-pick/
  21. https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008-2018-nfp-archive/latest-nfl-news/broncos-hochstein-mckinley-to-miss-season-finale/
  22. https://www.denverpost.com/2009/12/28/broncos-lose-two-more-players-to-injury/
  23. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/01/11/familiar-face-will-lined/HEnpAuTXpEirHC2p2oRNCM/story.html
  24. https://overthecap.com/player/russ-hochstein/6373
  25. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/cardinals-sign-11-year-veteran-guard-hochstein
  26. https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2012/7/27/3193159/arizona-cardinals-sign-veteran-offensive-lineman-russ-hochstein
  27. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/ari/season/2012
  28. https://www.chiefs.com/team/transactions/2012
  29. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/chiefs-sign-veteran-guard-russ-hochstein
  30. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/two-former-pats-players-coaching-at-bishop-feehan-in-attleboro/3821209/
  31. https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/09/29/football-notebook-mankins-making-mark-at-bishop-feehan/
  32. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/31/sports/bishop-feehan-st-marys-formidable-offensive-lines/
  33. https://www.maxpreps.com/ma/attleboro/bishop-feehan-shamrocks/football/history/
  34. https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/hartington-native-ready-in-case-the-phone-rings/article_7c8b9e04-124a-11e3-acd2-0019bb30f31a.html
  35. https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4822136/in-offseason-of-qb-movement-new-england-patriots-in-position-to-pounce
  36. https://www.truepeoplesearch.com/find/person/pxl64964l92004l02lru4
  37. https://huskers.com/news/2014/07/24/nebraska-football-hall-of-fame-h
  38. https://www.yankton.net/sports/article_22ee2bf6-0b95-11e4-8c71-0019bb2963f4.html
  39. https://huskers.com/news/2015/10/5/hochstein-jones-noonan-receive-states-top-prep-honor
  40. https://www.yankton.net/sports/article_681d2660-da74-11e4-9601-fb142cafba5c.html
  41. https://www.lafbnetwork.com/uncategorized/super-bowl-lii-players-to-win-consecutive-super-bowls-with-different-teams/
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