Riecke set world record as weightlifter and was in Tokyo Olympics in 1964
The idea of having a strength and conditioning coach was almost unheard of when New Orleans native Louis Riecke Jr. joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, but it would soon become a necessity for teams around the NFL because of the work he did.
Riecke, who passed away last week at the age of 90, was only the second strength and conditioning coach in the league when he was hired, but he helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls during the decade by transforming them into one of the most physical teams in the NFL.
Riecke, an LSU graduate, won an NCAA weightlifting championship in 1947 and three national YMCA titles. In 1964, he set a world record by lifting 147.5 kg (just over 325 pounds) in the snatch as a light heavyweight and represented the United States in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Riecke was inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. He was also an inaugural inductee of the USA Strength & Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003.
