College Strock attended
Virginia Tech. In his senior season in
1972, he led the nation in total passing and total offense, yet finished only ninth in voting for the
Heisman Trophy. He was voted third-team All-America. The college game was then dominated by running backs; the 1972 Heisman went to wingback
Johnny Rodgers of
Nebraska. To date, Strock still holds many collegiate football passing records at his
alma mater and was inducted into the
Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
Professional Strock played in the
NFL as a
quarterback. A 5th round selection (111th overall pick) of the
1973 NFL draft, he spent the majority of his professional career with the
Miami Dolphins (1973–1987), and was mostly known for his role as a back-up to Hall-of Famers
Bob Griese in his first years with the team and
Dan Marino as he finished his career with the club. He also played one season with the
Cleveland Browns (1988) and part of a season on the roster of the
Indianapolis Colts (1989) before retiring as a player. Strock was a member of the "taxi squad" during the 1973 season when the Dolphins won their second straight
Super Bowl following the undefeated
1972–73 season. He was also a member of the Dolphin teams who played and lost in the
1982 and
1984 Super Bowls. Strock is remembered for coming off the bench on January 2, 1982, for the
Miami Dolphins in an
AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the
San Diego Chargers at the
Miami Orange Bowl. Strock led Miami from a 24–0 deficit to tie the score in the 3rd quarter. Ultimately, Miami lost the game to San Diego, 41–38, in overtime. The game is also remembered for the image of San Diego
tight end Kellen Winslow being helped off the field by his teammates after the game while suffering from exhaustion. Strock finished the game with 29 of 43 completions for 403 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. The game later became known as
The Epic in Miami and has entered NFL lore as one of the greatest games ever in NFL history. On September 13, 1987, Dolphins punter
Reggie Roby was injured and Strock was called upon to punt. Strock also was called into duty to quarterback in the game with 2:22 remaining, nearly leading a comeback drive. ==Coaching career==