Sam Hernandez, Throwback Warrior

Pete Porcelli
Thursday July 13, 2000

When you first meet Sam, you’re likely to think that he is not your typical two-way lineman. A prototype two-way lineman in this league is usually 6-4, 290 pounds. Sam, on the other hand, is still the same weight he was when he broke into this league in 1992 under the legendary coaching tutelage of Vito "Babe" Parilli. At only 250 pounds, Sam could do some amazing things, and being undersized had its advantages. People would underestimate him and take him lightly because he was smaller than his counterparts. But after a few plays against Sam Hernandez, you knew you were in for a long night. You better grab your lunch pail and go to work or he will flat out embarrass you.

Sam’s football career really started to shine while playing for Sonoma State University in California. Being a small college player, he did not get the hoopla that a lot of other players got from the bigger schools. Being undersized and not being what the NFL people wanted, Sam got a break in the PSFL. The PSFL was a bandit league that a few of us got into thinking we would make some money for the spring. We didn’t get paid a cent and left camp abruptly. But one good thing did come out of Sam’s short stint in the PSFL: He got a shot with the Charlotte Rage.

Sam Hernandez has the size of a linebacker but plays the line position Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall

The first year was a learning year for him. He really wasn’t a standout performer. But he worked hard and listened, learning from the great Frankie Bianchini, a former FB-LB from Hofstra University. In 1993, Sam didn’t play Arenaball; he took the year off. He contemplated an end to the great game of football until 1994 when Babe Parilli called and brought him to Las Vegas.

This was the year I met Sam, a great guy with big heart and great sense of humor. Ian Welsh, a former general manager for the Las Vegas Sting and the Anaheim Piranhs had this to say about Sam: "Sam has a motor that doesn’t quit. He keeps coming hard, play after play. He`s everything you want in a two-way lineman; he can pass block, and he can rush the passer. Once you put those two things together, you’ll play a long time in this league."

The one thing that stood out from the other players was Sam’s desire. You see, this kid never stopped rushing the passer. Some guys slow down and take plays off to rest but not Sam. That is when Sam goes for the kill. When he sees you get a little tired and start to get a little lazy, he strikes like a cobra. Before you know it, you get beat for a sack, and Sam is mauling your quarterback.

A common sight, Sam Hernandez beating his man with a direct line to the QB Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall

This year Sam Hernandez surpassed another legend’s record as the All Time Quarterback Sack leader, Sylvester Bembery. Sam is not sure if this is his last year or not. He’s waiting to see if the Sabercats win the Arenabowl, and then he will decide in which direction he will go. Sam is a cinch to be in the Arena Football Hall of fame.

Sam mentioned to me some of the best lineman he ever played against:

Joe Jacobs: "He can really bring it when he wants to."

Dannie Lockett: "Dannie wasn’t the biggest guy out there, but he could really turn it on when he wanted to."

Ralph Jarvis: "Jarvis would try to lull you to sleep and play games the entire night. He was very crafty."

Jon Norris: "Jon would turn and burn to the field all the time. Even after all those years of playing Arena ball, Jon used to always tell me he’s still got it."

Here`s to Sam Hernandez, a real throwback to the old days where guys didn’t need to be behemoths to play this great game.

 

The opinions expressed in the article above are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of ArenaFan Online or its staff, or the Arena Football League, or any AFL or af2 teams.

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Sam Hernandez, Throwback Warrior 7/13/2000
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