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| Rolf Benirschke was a kicker with the San Diego Chargers from 1978 through 1986. Source: https://www.healthcentral.com/article/nfl-player-rolf-benirschke-ostomy-awareness (May be subject to copyright) |
One day he was kicking field goals for the San Diego Charges of the National Football League, the next day he’s hosting a daytime game show, and all through it he was battling and overcoming a debilitating illness while advocating for endangered species.
Such was the life of Rolf Benirschke.
Making the big kick
Rolf Benirschke attended the University of California - Davis. He broke into the NFL with the San Diego Chargers in 1978, staying there until 1986, playing in some of the franchise’s biggest games in the 1980s.
Rolf Benirschke attended the University of California - Davis. He broke into the NFL with the San Diego Chargers in 1978, staying there until 1986, playing in some of the franchise’s biggest games in the 1980s.
The Chargers put together a string of successful seasons under coach Don Coryell and his pass-happy offence, making the playoffs four straight years from 1979 to 1982, and winning the AFC West Division in 1979, 1980 and 1981.
The Chargers won their AFC West Division in 1979 but lost to the Houston Oilers in the AFC Divisional Game. The next year, in 1980, they repeated as AFC West champions and defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Game before losing to the arch-rival Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship.
Then, in 1981, the Chargers won their third straight AFC West title. Awaiting them in the AFC Divisional Game was the Miami Dolphins, champions of the AFC East, who were hosting the game at the Orange Bowl. It became known as the “Epic in Miami” and has been described as the best game in NFL history, and Rolf Benirschke played a pivotal part.
The teams went back and forth as the Chargers jumped out to what looked like an insurmountable 24-0 lead in the first quarter, only to see the Dolphins score 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to make the score 24-17 at halftime. Miami outscored San Diego 14-7 in the third quarter, then the teams traded touchdowns leaving the game knotted 38-38 after regulation time.
Sudden death overtime followed, with both teams having their chances to win. Benirschke had a chance to end it early, but a bad snap and a poor hold contributed to him pushing it wide left. Miami went right back down the field, but had their field-goal attempt blocked. Finally, after 13 minutes and 52 seconds, Rolf Benirschke trotted out to attempt a 29-yard field goal to win it.
He connected, ending one of the longest overtimes in playoff history, and sending the Chargers back to the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals. They triumphed, leaving the Chargers one game short of the Super Bowl for the second straight season.
The Chargers qualified for the playoffs for the fourth straight year in 1982, defeating Pittsburgh in the first round before losing to Miami in the next round.
Benirschke retired as the Chargers all-time leader in points with 766, and held 15 club records. He has since been passed by John Carney who has 1,076 points. Benirschke made 146 field goals in 208 attempts for a .702 field goal percentage which was the third best all-time at that time. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1980, an All-Pro in 1982, and the 1983 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Spin the wheel
One day in my second year of university, I was home from class and discovered the daytime “Wheel of Fortune”.
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| Rolf Benirschke hosting "Wheel of Fortune" in 1989 with co-host Vanna White. Source: http://nflandhollywood.blogspot.com/ 2015/10/rolf-benirschke-in-hollywood.html (May be subject to copyright) |
One day in my second year of university, I was home from class and discovered the daytime “Wheel of Fortune”.
What struck me as odd was that it was not Pat Sajak reading clues and buying and selling vowels. It was someone else but, since I missed the first couple minutes, I had no idea who it was. Finally, at the end of the show, when they were signing off, I heard the new host’s name – Rolf Benirschke.
I tuned in a few days later to confirm that I really heard what I thought I heard. It in fact was the kicker of the San Diego Chargers himself.
He would host the daytime version of “Wheel of Fortune” from Jan. 10 to June 30, 1989, when the regular host went on to host “The Pat Sajak Show”. Benirschke was replaced by Bob Goen when the show moved to CBS later in 1989.
Triumph of the spirit
What makes these successes more remarkable is the personal battle Rolf Benirschke waged. In the off-season before the 1978 season, Benirschke started experiencing chronic fever, cramps, and diarrhea. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease.
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| Rolf Benirschke, at left, makes his triumphant return to the Chargers after battling colitis, helped by teammate Louis Kelcher. Source: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ sports/chargers-rams/story/2020-04-11/ benirschke-sports-chargers-san-diegans-health-experts-coronavirus (May be subject to copyright) |
What makes these successes more remarkable is the personal battle Rolf Benirschke waged. In the off-season before the 1978 season, Benirschke started experiencing chronic fever, cramps, and diarrhea. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease.
His condition worsened in the 1979 season when he collapsed on the team plane on the way home from a road trip. Benirschke underwent two surgeries to remove his large intestine and spent weeks in the intensive care unit. He was just 123 pounds when he got out of the hospital, but he was on the road to recovery.
He made his return to the Chargers on Nov. 18, 1979 in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was still unable to play, but was named an honourary captain. In front of a sellout crowd, he was helped onto the field by defensive tackle Louie Kelcher who held his hand and helped him onto the field. San Diego came through, winning the game 35-7.
Benirschke returned to the field in 1980, playing right through to the end of the 1986 season.
Community service
Rolf Benirschke also had a love of animals and a concern for endangered species, so he created a charity called, “Kicks for Critters”.
Rolf Benirschke also had a love of animals and a concern for endangered species, so he created a charity called, “Kicks for Critters”.
In 1983, for all of these efforts, he was named the NFL Man of the Year.
Parting thoughts
It is amazing what you can hear during the broadcast of a football game if you listen and pay attention. All of these facts about Rolf Benirschke’s bowel disease and “Kicks for Critters” came from broadcasters Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen on Saturday and Sunday NFL games.
It is amazing what you can hear during the broadcast of a football game if you listen and pay attention. All of these facts about Rolf Benirschke’s bowel disease and “Kicks for Critters” came from broadcasters Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen on Saturday and Sunday NFL games.
Honestly, I thought I had mis-remembered some of this stuff because it really is an impressive list of diverse achievements – all-star football kicker, nationally-televised game show host, endangered species activist and survivor. It took Wikipedia to confirm I, in fact, was not mis-remembering.
The unfortunate part, and one of the reasons for this doubt, is that Rolf Benirschke is another person lost in the mists of time.
It really is too bad, because any one of these accomplishments is worthy of note. Put them all together and you have a pretty special person.
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