Jack Hinkle John M . Hinkle ( October 31 , 1917 – November 17 , 2006 ) was a professional football in the National Football League . During his career , he played for the New York Giants , Philadelphia Eagles and the " Steagles " . Professional career . Prior to joining the Giants , Hinkle played for the Giants ' American Association team , the Jersey City Giants . Upon joining the Giants , Hinkle was cut from the team after just three games due to an argument with Giants coach Steve Owen . When asked what the argument was about , Hinkle said " something asinine " . He later signed with the New York Americans of the third American Football League in 1941 . The Americans 1941 season ended just in time for Hinkle to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles for their last game of the season , against the Washington Redskins . That final game was held on December 7 , 1941 , the day Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan , thrusting the United States into World War II . After a brief stint in the United States Army in 1942 , Hinkle was re - signed by the Eagles by coach Greasy Neale . Hinkle enjoyed his best season though in 1943 , when a league - wide manning shortage , brought on by World War II , caused the Eagles to temporarily merge with the cross - state Pittsburgh Steelers . The merged team was called the " Steagles " by the media . With the Steagles , Hinkle rushed for a team - leading 571 yards and 3 touchdown s , while also intercepting four passes as a defensive back . He lost the 1943 NFL rushing title to the Giants ' Bill Paschal by one yard . However it was against the Giants that Hinkle was not given credit for a 37 - yard run . Instead , due to a mix - up by Ross Kaufman , the official statistician , who credited that run to teammate John Butler ) . However Hinkle did not complain about not winning the NFL rushing crown ; he figured with a war going on there were better things to cry about . He finished his NFL career in 1947 with 1 , 067 yards , five touchdowns and nine interceptions . Military service . Outside of football , Hinkle ' s name is located on the World War II honor roll located at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton , Ohio . The NFL honor roll is a listing of the over 1 , 000 NFL personnel who served in the military during the war . He spent the 1942 season in the U . S . Army . However he was later discharged from the service after a year due to stomach ulcers . Syracuse . Prior to his professional career , Hinkle was standout for Syracuse University ' s football team in the late - 1930s . However during his time at Syracuse , he rarely carried the ball . However he was still a three - time lettermen at Syracuse in 1937 , 1938 and 1939 . Family . In 1944 , Jack married Joane Haggerty . During his time with the Steagles , Joane would cheer on Jack by loudly shouting " Let ' s Go Honey " . This caused the other players on the team to give Jack the nickname " Honey " . At the time of his death , Hinkle was survived by his wife , his children and grandchildren . He was also a cousin of Clarke Hinkle a Hall of Fame fullback with the Green Bay Packers . Jack died at his home in Norristown , Pennsylvania from natural causes on November 17 , 2006 at the age of 89 .