According to the Webster Dictionary, the word savior is defined as the following: "a person who rescues you from harm or danger."

That word savior is how some Eagles fans viewed former quarterback Bobby Hoying during the 1997 season. Hoying took over as the starter midway through the season and gave Eagles fans hope for the future. In a thrilling 44-42 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on November 30, 1997 at Veterans Stadium, Hoying threw for four touchdowns as he completed 26 of 42 passes for 313 yards.

That win was extra special for Hoying because he grew up watching his quarterback counterpart on that day, Cincinnati's Boomer Esiason. A star at St. Henry High School in St. Henry, Ohio, Hoying helped his school capture a state title in football and two in basketball before taking his talents to Ohio State University.

QB Bobby Hoying

Even though the Eagles missed the playoffs after finishing the '97 season with a record of 6-9-1, head coach Ray Rhodes and his staff saw enough good things in Hoying to confidently appoint him the opening day starter as the Eagles got ready to open their 1998 campaign. The Eagles kicked off the season playing host to the Seattle Seahawks in front of 66,418 optimistic fans. However, the Eagles' new starting quarterback had a rough outing. He was sacked nine times and threw an interception that Seahawks cornerback Shawn Springs returned 42 yards for a touchdown in an embarrassing 38-0 loss.

That game was the beginning of what was ultimately a very difficult season for Hoying, who was battered behind a porous offensive line before he was benched midseason. He would only win one game in seven starts as the Eagles finished 3-13 overall. Hoying said that consistency in the players and staff was one of the key reasons for the team's demise.

"I could only speak about the offense but we struggled at the start of the season and it just snowballed," said Hoying. "I think two things that hurt our offense was losing (offensive coordinator) Jon Gruden and then not having (running back) Ricky Watters who left via free agency for Seattle. We had a really young nucleus on offense and I really enjoyed playing in Gruden's system, maybe if we added two or three more pieces things could have turned out differently."

Hoying was traded to Oakland to be reunited with Gruden in August 1999 after new head coach Andy Reid drafted Donovan McNabb with the No. 2 overall pick and brought in Doug Pederson to start until McNabb was ready. Hoying played in the AFC title game following the 2000 season as he threw two picks in the loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens. He went on Injured Reserve with an elbow injury in 2001 and was released during training camp in 2002 which signaled the end of his career. Although his playing days are now behind him, Hoying is still very passionate about the game of football. He closely follows his alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

It was on the Columbus, Ohio campus where Hoying achieved great success setting school records for both career touchdown passes (57) and pass completions (498). He was selected to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000. Hoying had no trouble talking about former Ohio State defensive end and pass-rusher extraordinaire Vernon Gholston, who will likely be a top ten selection in next week's NFL Draft. Gholston is indeed a prospect that would likely make numerous Eagles fans go bonkers with joy if the Eagles can devise a way to land him.

"Vernon Gholston was simply born to put on a football uniform. His strength, explosiveness and his desire to be the best makes him a special football player. If you want to see what kind of football player he is, just watch the Michigan game from this past season where he recorded three sacks in the game," said Hoying. "He will be making a lot of great plays on Sunday.

Hoying is dominating his current field as he works as a principal for Crawford Hoying Smith Real Estate Services which brokers office deals, owns and manages office buildings and apartments along with developing residential projects mainly within Central Ohio. The 35-year-old Hoying currently resides in Dublin, Ohio with his wife, Jill, and their two children. It was during his time in Philadelphia where he first got involved in real estate.

"While playing I met my real estate partner while playing golf and so I started investing in apartments and construction communities and that's how it began," Hoying said.  

He may not have been the savior that Eagles fans and coaches dreamed of, but no one will forget that magical day at Veterans Stadium where he gave Eagles fans quite a thrill.