As a graduate of Idaho State University with a degree in education and a minor in health and fitness, Merril Hoge was a four year football starter, set 44 school and conference records, 22 of them still intact, and still holds two NCAA football records.

Hoge was drafted in 1987 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played until 1993 and led the team in rushing and receiving in four of his first five years, setting a record in his third year for receptions by a running back. Along with Franco Harris, he is one of only two Steelers players to rush for more than 100 yards in back-to-back playoff games. He was Steelers Iron Man of the Year two years in a row (1989 and 1990) and was named to the All-Madden team in 1989. In 1993, Hoge went to the Chicago Bears as a free agent, where he played for two years until he was forced to retire early due to post-concussion syndrome. At the time of his retirement, Merril Hoge had the longest consecutive playing streak in the NFL.

Since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and beating it in 2003, there has been a greater demand for Hoge to present on such subjects as Dealing With Adversity-Overcoming Obstacles, the Power of the Mind and the Body, How To Use Adversity To Become a Better Person and Finding Peace In Your Life.

Since his playing days, Hoge has been on the Board of the Caring Foundation, and is currently Chairman of the Board. Merril has been a long-time Co-Captain of the very successful Caring Team for Children in southwestern Pennsylvania, a partnership among more than 200 schools, the Caring Foundation, Highmark and local and national corporations. With Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, he has also headed up for twelve years the Hoge Ward Celebrity Golf Classic for Children; both initiatives serve to raise funds and awareness for the programs of the Caring Foundation.

The Caring Foundation's Caring Place is of particular meaning to Hoge, having lost his own mother when he was 19, and seeing the effect it had on his then-14-year-old brother. Most importantly, Merril Hoge has built his foundation around his family. His vision is to help all children know their value and importance, helping them to grow up healthy and whole.

• Find a Way - Merril Hoge discusses how he achieved his goals in spite of many obstacles, such as concussions prematurely ending his career, and beating cancer and the impact of chemotherapy. He talks about the importance of uncommon vs. common behavior, and how commitment can separate you from the pack. In this speech, Hoge also gives tribute to the many people who have affected his life and helped him stay positive, including Chuck Noll and Walter Payton.