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| LB A.J. HAWK #50 |
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| 6' 1" • 247 lbs. • Ohio State |
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Exp: 3rd NFL Season, 3rd Packers Season
Age: 24
Acquired: Draft 2006 (1)
Current Status: Active Roster
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- Led Packers in tackles in 2006 with 155, second-most ever recorded by Green Bay rookie (Rich Wingo, 166 in 1979). His 112 solo stops were third-best in the NFL among all players
- Finished third in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and earned a spot on Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team
- The third player in Packers history drafted in the first round out of Ohio State, following John Brockington (1971) and Vinnie Clark (1991)
- First linebacker drafted in the top five of the NFL draft since Washington chose LaVar Arrington No. 2 overall in 2000; only the 26th linebacker selected in the top five since the 1970 league merger
- A consensus All-American both as a junior (2004) and senior (2005), earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in each of his three seasons as a starter. Also captured the 2005 Lombardi Award, given annually to the nation's top lineman or linebacker
- Plays big in big games. In 2005 thriller vs. No. 2 Texas, picked off Vince Young, recovered one of the quarterback's fumbles and forced another. Also closed senior year by sacking future brother in-law Brady Quinn twice in Fiesta Bowl triumph over Notre Dame, en route to the his second career Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP (also two years earlier)
- Nicknamed 'A.J.' by his parents, fans of legendary Indy car driver A.J. Foyt
- Grew his hair long in 2005 as a tribute to the late Pat Tillman, the former NFL player who lost his life with the U.S. Army while serving in Afghanistan
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- Selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft, became everything the Packers hoped for in a stellar rookie campaign
- Led the team with 155 tackles, the second-most ever recorded by a Packers' rookie, and his 112 solo tackles ranked third in the league
- Quickly became an indispensable defensive asset, so much so that the coaching staff rarely used a dime defense, keeping him on the field virtually every snap
- His versatility, displayed by his ability to chase down running backs, rush the passer and cover a slot receiver or tight end, kept him involved in every defensive package
- An old-school player who absolutely loves everything about football and rarely, if ever, removes his helmet during a game
- Proved along with having the instincts and awareness of a veteran that he's as reliable a tackler as they come, able to stop ball-carriers cold with a less-than-square hit
- Finished third in the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, and earned a spot on Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team
- Also named the team's Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Considered by nearly all who saw him as a rookie to have more impact plays and multiple Pro Bowl bids coming his way, with his 3 1/2 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries as a pro soon to rise, and quickly
- The first linebacker taken in the 2006 Draft after being a consensus All-American each of his final two seasons at Ohio State
- In Packers history, along with Vinnie Clark (1991) and John Brockington (1971), is one of three first-round selections from Ohio State.
One of only two linebackers taken among the top five selections over a period of nine NFL drafts (1998-2006), joined LaVar Arrington (No. 2 overall, 2000) in an exclusive group - Followed the likes of Lawrence Taylor (1981), Derrick Thomas (1989), Junior Seau (1990) and Willie McGinest (1994) as one of only 26 linebackers drafted in the top five since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970
- Despite fielding a few attractive offers to move from the No. 5 position, GM Ted Thompson kept the pick, and the player he had targeted with that selection from the beginning was still there
- When Thompson drafted the linebacker, unlike most of the other high-profile selections, Hawk wasn't dressed in a suit at Radio City Music Hall to shake hands and pose with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on national television
- Instead, the unique and humble All-American had declined the league's invitation in order to share the moment with his friends and extended family in his native Ohio, relaxing and enjoying the day
- That move was no surprise to those who knew him, because humility had defined Hawk since his days at Centerville (Ohio) High School
- As a prep, instructed his parents not to cheer for him, although they could clap for team touchdowns
- Secure in his identity, never wore his high school varsity jackets to avoid coming across as "big-time"
- That modesty followed him to college and into the NFL, where he demonstrates a quiet leadership and confidence around his teammates and in front of the media
- In college, was always at his best in the Buckeyes' biggest games, getting in on virtually every play and being consistently in position to make tackles and create turnovers
- In just one game against eventual national champion Texas in 2005, induced Vince Young, arguably the nation's most exciting player, into two and nearly three turnovers; thwarted three first-half drives by picking off a third-down pass, recovering the quarterback's fumble and delivering a pivotal sack (also forced a Young fumble in the fourth quarter)
- Twice started in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (2003, '05 seasons) and each time earned the contest's defensive MVP honors; also played as a reserve in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, when Ohio State claimed the national championship
- Position coach Winston Moss noted that in Hawk's scouting combine interview, the linebacker didn't try to sell himself as most players do
- On the other side of that interview, Hawk said he sensed a noticeable desire to win coming from Packers personnel
- Didn't expect to be drafted by the Packers, but along with his family hoped Green Bay would be his destination because it most resembled his Midwest roots, a smaller town with ardent fans and outstanding tradition, like Columbus, Ohio
- Thompson, also a former NFL linebacker, likes Hawk's toughness and nastiness, perfect traits for a defensive system that wants its linebackers to fly around and make tackles
- The general manager sees Hawk as a perfect fit for a defense Thompson hopes to supply with personnel molded after the Super Bowl champion Steelers, a team without a flashy offense but known for its solid defense and takeaway ability
- Starting all 16 games, led the team with 155 tackles (112 solo), second-most ever recorded by a Packers rookie (Rich Wingo, 166 tackles in 1979), and led linebackers with 3½ sacks
- Among all NFL players, only Houston's DeMeco Ryans (126) and Chicago's Lance Briggs (117) had more solo stops
- Also notched a pair of INTs among nine passes defensed, forced a fumble and recovered two others
- Wasn't as flashy as other Top 5 draft choices, but gave Green Bay exactly what it was looking for - a tough and durable, assignment-sure player on the verge of becoming a major playmaker
- Green Bay coaches felt they didn't want to take Hawk off the field and made him an every-down player (he was on the field for 995 snaps, or 95.3 percent); the Packers thus utilized the nickel package more than dime
- Locked up the starting 'Will' linebacker spot early on and never looked back
- Finished third in the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting
- Named to the prestigious Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team
- Won Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors for Weeks 7 and 10
- Made his first career start in his NFL debut, vs. Chicago (Sept. 10); took down RB Thomas Jones for minus-4 yards on a screen pass, and later forced QB Rex Grossman to make an errant throw on third-and-7
- Against New Orleans (Sept. 17), led the team with 10 tackles (eight solo); prevented a second-quarter touchdown by breaking up a pass intended for TE Nate Lawrie
- At Detroit (Sept. 24), recorded his first NFL sack, dropping Jon Kitna in the fourth quarter
- At Philadelphia (Oct. 2), teamed with Aaron Kampman to sack Donovan McNabb; earlier, recovered a fumble inside the Packers' 5-yard line (forced by Charles Woodson)
- Nearly intercepted a second-quarter pass and had 10 stops, including nine solo tackles, in heartbreaking 23-20 loss vs. St. Louis (Oct. 8); ended a crucial fourth-quarter drive and forced the Rams to settle for a field goal by tackling QB Marc Bulger for a 1-yard loss
- In 34-24 triumph at Miami (Oct. 22), made a team-high 16 tackles (13 solo), adding a PBU; sacked Joey Harrington, forcing the Dolphins to settle for a field goal
- Against Arizona (Oct. 29), tied for a team-high nine tackles (seven solo)
- In important 23-17 win at Minnesota (Nov. 12), made two assisted sacks (1.0 total) and 17 tackles (11 solo), as well as his first career forced fumble; with Cullen Jenkins, sacked Brad Johnson for a 10-yard loss, getting to Johnson first by shedding two blocks by Vikings running backs
- In the fourth quarter of Vikings contest, sacked Johnson again with Nick Barnett, leading to another punt
- Against New England (Nov. 19), recovered an aborted Tom Brady-to-Corey Dillon handoff, his second fumble recovery of the season
- Had a career-best 20 tackles (16 solo), at Seattle (Nov. 27)
- Followed up vs. the New York Jets (Dec. 3) with 13 stops (8 solo), tying Barnett for the team high
- Made his first career interception, at San Francisco (Dec. 10), stepping in front of an Alex Smith throw to Vernon Davis in the end zone, returning it 25 yards; earlier in the game, blanketed Davis on a Smith throw to the end zone, leading to an incomplete pass and subsequent field goal
- In the third quarter of 49ers contest, hit Smith from behind on third down, forcing an incompletion and punt
- At Chicago (Dec. 31), snared a third-down Brian Griese pass in the third quarter for his second INT
- Played in 51 games at Ohio State with 38 starts, collecting 394 tackles (196 solo), 41 stops for loss, 15½ sacks, seven interceptions, 13 passes broken up, two fumbles recovered and three forced fumbles; also returned both a blocked punt and interception for TDs
- A three-year starter (2003-05), earned first-team All-Big Ten honors each of those seasons in the nation's most physical conference
- Available for every play during his college career, started his final 37 contests in consecutive fashion
- As a senior in 2005, earned consensus All-America honors for the second straight year and won the Lombardi Award, given annually to college football's most outstanding lineman or linebacker
- Also finished as a finalist for the Bednarik, Lott and Butkus awards
- The Big Ten's preseason and postseason defensive player of the year and without question college football's premier linebacker, also garnered defensive MVP at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
- Started all 12 games and led the team in tackles for a third consecutive year, racking up 121 stops (69 solo); also totaled team-leading totals in tackles for loss (16½) and sacks (9½) while adding one interception, three passes broken up, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles
- Paced a unit that led the nation in rushing defense (73.42 yards per game) and finished fifth in total defense (281.73)
- In heartbreaking, early season home loss to No. 2 Texas (Sept. 10), posted 12 tackles, picked off a third-down Young pass to set up a field goal, recovered Young's fumble on the ensuing drive, and forced a late-game fumble from Young which the quarterback recovered; recalls the 25-22 setback as one of his most disappointing college memories
- Notched season-high 19 tackles, one short of his collegiate best, in 35-24 win vs. No. 16 Michigan State (Oct. 15)
- In 48-7 triumph vs. No. 25 Northwestern (Nov. 12), forced a fumble, recorded eight tackles (three solo), one sack, and returned a blocked punt 8 yards for a touchdown
- Instrumental in regular-season finale at No. 17 Michigan (Nov. 19), a 25-21 Buckeyes victory, registered seven stops (five solo)
- Notoriously big in big games, closed his collegiate career helping OSU to 34-20 win over No. 6 Notre Dame in Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 2); had 12 tackles (nine solo), 3½ stops for loss and a pair of sacks - both times dropping Brady Quinn, his future brother in-law
- As a junior, started all 12 contests, collecting a collegiate-high 141 tackles (62 solo), en route to consensus All-America honors (The Sporting News, Associated Press, Walter Camp, Football Writers)
- Also totaled eight tackles for loss, one sack, five passes broken up and a pair of interceptions, while recovering one fumble and forcing another
- In nine games, led the team in tackles
- Had at least nine tackles in all 11 regular-season contests
- Notched an astonishing 49 tackles over a three-game stretch (Oct. 2-16)
- Credited with 14 stops (four solo) at Northwestern (Oct. 2) and followed up with a career-best 20 tackles (eight solo) vs. No. 15 Wisconsin (Oct. 9); also forced a fumble in Badgers contest while becoming the first OSU player since Chris Spielman (1986) to reach 20 tackles in a game
- Posted 15 stops (eight solo) at Iowa (Oct. 16), adding two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and his season's lone sack
- His acrobatic interception at Michigan State (Nov. 6) halted the Spartans' final drive with OSU clinging to a 25-19 lead in eventual 32-19 triumph
- Had 11 tackles (four solo) to help Buckeyes upset No. 7 Michigan (Nov. 20), 37-21, at Ohio Stadium
- Finished season with five tackles (four solo) in 33-7 Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma State (Dec. 29)
- Had entered his junior campaign as the media's preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, after a breakout sophomore year when he quickly emerged as defensive pillar for defending national champions, leading team with 106 tackles (52 solo), earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in his initial season as a starter
- Started all 13 games, finishing with 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, five passes broken up and two interceptions
- Initially made his name in 16-13 nailbiter vs. San Diego State (Sept. 6), posting two sacks and three tackles for loss
- One week later, a 44-38 triumph vs. No. 24 North Carolina State (Sept. 13), returned an interception 55 yards to set up a field goal, along with 12 tackles (six solo) and two more tackles for loss; was in on the game-ending tackle at the Wolfpack goal line, sealing the Buckeyes' triple-overtime win
- Notched an early career best 13 tackles (three solo) and a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage in 20-0 victory vs. Northwestern (Sept. 27)
- Influential in 35-28 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory over No. 8 Kansas State (Jan. 1), captured defensive MVP honors with 10 tackles (six solo) and 1½ stops for loss
- As a true freshman, saw consistent playing time as key reserve in Ohio State's road to 14-0, national championship season
- Backing up weak-side linebacker Cie Grant, notched 26 stops (13 solo), 3½ tackles for loss, an assisted sack and two interceptions, one of which he returned 34 yards for a touchdown vs. Kent State (Sept. 7)
- In his first career start, a 13-7 win vs. No. 18 Penn State (Oct. 26), his interception ended the Lions' initial possession
- Combined on his first career sack vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 19) and picked up one tackle for loss in a thrilling, 14-9 win vs. Michigan, clinching an invitation to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl national championship vs. Miami, Fla. (Jan. 3)
- Given name Aaron James Hawk
- Nicknamed 'A.J.' by his parents since birth, after legendary Indy car driver A.J. Foyt
- Born in Kettering, Ohio
- Married the former Laura Quinn, whose brother Brady was Notre Dame's quarterback and a 2007 first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns
- The couple wed prior to his first NFL training camp in a civil ceremony, then had a more traditional wedding ceremony this past March
- Lettered four years at Centerville (Ohio) High School, playing middle linebacker, running back and quarterback
- Also handled punting chores for two seasons, and served as placekicker as a senior
- Rated as the nation's No. 30 middle linebacker by Rivals.com, finished with 585 career tackles, including 142 as a ninth-grade starter
- Averaged better than 40 yards per punt as a senior
- Didn't attract great national attention mostly due to a knee injury that sidelined him much of his final season, limiting him to only 82 tackles
- Also earned a pair of letters (as a freshman and sophomore) playing point guard on the Centerville basketball team
- Brother, Ryan, is a quarterback who played professionally in Arena Football '2' and played in college at Ohio University
- Holds B.A. degree in criminology and is interested in law enforcement following his NFL career
- Grew his hair long in 2005 as a tribute to the late Pat Tillman, the former NFL player who lost his life while serving in the U.S. Army
- Maintains friendships with former Buckeyes Bobby Carpenter (Dallas), Nick Mangold (New York Jets) and Anthony Schlegel (New York Jets)
- Installed a hyperbaric oxygen chamber in his Green Bay bedroom, which simulates high altitude and is designed to increase red blood cell count and enhance endurance; also has a weight room in his house
- Threw out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game this April; also took batting practice in full uniform and hit two home runs
- Enjoys hunting and target shooting, as well as playing golf
- Recently bought a boat in Wis.
- Lists Top Gun as his favorite movie
- His favorite book is Good to Go, a firsthand narrative told by Navy S.E.A.L. Harry Constance
- Residence: Green Bay
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| Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Fumbles |
| Year |
GP |
GS |
Tot |
Solo |
Asst |
Sk |
Yds |
No |
Yds |
Lg |
TD |
PD |
FF |
FR |
Yds |
| 2006 Green Bay |
16 |
16 |
155 |
112 |
43 |
3½ |
31 |
2 |
31 |
25 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
Additional statistics: Career sacks - Joey Harrington, Brad Johnson, Jon Kitna, Donovan McNabb (½). Special teams tackles - 6 in 2006.
SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Tackles
Total: 20, at Sea. (11/27/06)
Solo: 16, at Sea. (11/27/06)
Sacks: 1, three times (last: at Min., 11/12/06)
NFL debut/first start: vs. Chicago, 9/10/06
First sack: at Detroit, 9/24/06 (J.Kitna)
First interception: at San Francisco, 12/10/06 (A.Smith)
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
2006: Selected by Green Bay Packers in first round (fifth overall) of '06 NFL Draft, April 29...Signed first contract, July 29.
CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2011 |
| ELIAS Game By Game Packers Stats |
| Game Date |
Opp | Interceptions | Sacks |
| No | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Sep 10, 2006 |
CHI | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2006 |
NO | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2006 |
@DET | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1.0 |
| Oct 2, 2006 |
@PHI | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Oct 8, 2006 |
STL | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2006 |
@MIA | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1.0 |
| Oct 29, 2006 |
ARI | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 5, 2006 |
@BUF | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 12, 2006 |
@MIN | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1.0 |
| Nov 19, 2006 |
NE | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 27, 2006 |
@SEA | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 3, 2006 |
NYJ | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 10, 2006 |
@SF | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 17, 2006 |
DET | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 21, 2006 |
MIN | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2006 |
@CHI | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 Totals | 2 | 31 | 15.5 | 0 | 3.5 |
| Sep 9, 2007 |
PHI | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2007 |
@NYG | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2007 |
SD | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2007 |
@MIN | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2007 |
CHI | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 14, 2007 |
WAS | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 29, 2007 |
@DEN | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 2007 |
@KC | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 11, 2007 |
MIN | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2007 |
CAR | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 22, 2007 |
@DET | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2007 |
@DAL | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 9, 2007 |
OAK | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2007 |
@STL | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1.0 |
| Dec 23, 2007 |
@CHI | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 30, 2007 |
DET | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 Totals | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Packers Totals | 3 | 41 | 13.7 | 0 | 4.5 |
| Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau |
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