A.J. Hawk

Hawk in 2006 during player introductions
No. 50     Green Bay Packers
Inside linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: January 6, 1984 (1984-01-06) (age 25)
Place of birth: Kettering, Ohio
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	Weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
College: Ohio State
NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Debuted in 2006 for the Green Bay Packers
Career history
As player: Green Bay Packers (2006-present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Lombardi Award (2005) Jack Lambert Trophy (2005) NFL All-Rookie (2006)
Career NFL statistics as of week 17, 2008
Tackles	310
Sacks	7.5
INTs	3
Stats at NFL.com

Aaron James "A. J." Hawk (born January 6, 1984 in Kettering, Ohio) is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers fifth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.

[edit] High school career

A.J. Hawk attended high school at Centerville High School, near Dayton, Ohio. He holds multiple defensive records and is one of two active NFL players who played for the Centerville High School Elks football team.^[1] A. J. Hawk's records include most tackles in a game (30) and most career tackles (583). ^[2] Hawk was a 2-time All-State player in high school (1999 and 2000). Other NFL players from Centerville are Hawk's former Ohio State University teammates Mike Nugent (the other active NFL player from Centerville High School) and Nick Mangold, who attended Alter High School.

[edit] College career

Before the 2006 NFL draft, A.J Hawk played for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He played with the Buckeyes from 2002-2005 where he ended up winning the Lombardi Award as best college football linebacker.

[edit] Professional career

[edit] Pre-draft measureables

(* represents NFL Combine; **represents Ohio State Pro Day) ^[3]

[edit] Green Bay Packers

[edit] 2006 (Rookie)

On April 29, 2006 Hawk was drafted in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. He was the 5th overall pick of the draft.

A.J. Hawk signed a 6-year contract with the Packers, worth $37.5 million, on July 28, 2006. ^[4] He recorded his first NFL sack on September 24, 2006, when he sacked Detroit Lions Quarterback Jon Kitna in the fourth quarter.

Hawk was selected the NFL Rookie Of The Week on October 23, 2006, in a win against the Miami Dolphins. He led Green Bay with 12 total tackles in the game and recorded one sack in the Packers’ 34–24 victory.

For his effort in the November 12, 2006, 23–17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, Hawk was selected the NFL Rookie of the Week for the second time. Hawk recorded 13 total tackles and 1.5 sacks, and forced one fumble. Early in the third quarter, Hawk sacked the Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson for a 10-yard loss. He later combined with teammate Nick Barnett for another 10-yard sack.

On December 10, 2006, Hawk recorded his first NFL interception when he picked off Alex Smith during a 30–19 win over the San Francisco 49ers. On December 31st, during the Packers' final game of the 2006 season, Hawk recorded his second interception of the season during a 26–7 win over the Chicago Bears.

In his rookie season, A.J. Hawk led the Packers' defense with 119 total tackles, 82 of them solo. He also recorded 2 interceptions, 3.5 sacks, 6 passes defended and 1 forced fumble. ^[5] He was third place in voting for the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year.^[6]

[edit] 2007

In his second season he was second on the team with 105 total tackles, 78 of them solo. He also had 1 interception, 1 sack, 4 passes defended and 1 forced fumble. During the 2007 Postseason he recorded 8 tackles and 1 sack in 2 games.

[edit] 2008

After spending 9 games as the Packers' Weakside Linebacker and Nick Barnett's torn ACL, he was moved to Middle Linebacker. Hawk had 86 tackles and 3 sacks in the full 16 game season he started for Green Bay.^[7]

[edit] 2009

With Dom Capers' hiring and the preceding switch to the 3-4 defense, he has been moved to Inside Linebacker.

[edit] Personal life

Hawk is married to Laura Quinn, sister of Brady Quinn, quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Interestingly enough, Hawk's final game with the Buckeyes was the 2006 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame, where Quinn was playing at the time. ^[8] Hawk managed to sack his future brother-in-law twice and become co-MVP of the game which ended with an Ohio State victory. ^[9]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• A.J. Hawk Official Website
• A.J. Hawk at Packers.com
• A.J. Hawk Ohio State Buckeye Bio