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Team / Players / A.J. Hawk

LB A.J. HAWK #50

6' 1" • 250 lbs. • Ohio State

Exp: 5th NFL Season, 5th Packers Season
Age: 26
Acquired: Draft 2006 (1)
Current Status: Active Roster

2008 Bio:

Has started every game in his three-year pro career and led Packers in tackles twice, including rookie season of 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 that year
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
First linebacker drafted in the top five of the NFL draft since Washington chose LaVar Arrington No. 2 overall in 2000; One of only 27 linebackers 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
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

Pro Summary

Reliable, assignment-sure defender now enters his fourth season, having started every game his first three years following selection as a top-five draft pick
Last year played through chest and groin injuries to lead the Packers in tackles for the second time in his three seasons, finishing second the other year
His 405 career tackles (277 solo) are in addition to 7½ sacks, three interceptions, 16 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries
After moving from weak-side to middle linebacker the second half of 2008 to replace injured Nick Barnett, projects as an inside linebacker in the defense’s new 3-4 scheme, where he’ll look to boost the number of impact plays he makes
Still led the team’s linebackers by playing 82.8 percent of the defensive snaps in ’08 after rarely leaving the field at all his first two seasons (92.2 percent in 2007, 95.3 percent in 2006), when the ‘dime’ defense was a rare occurrence
His team-leading 155 tackles in 2006 were the second most ever recorded by a Packers’ rookie (Rich Wingo, 166 in 1979), and his 112 solo tackles ranked third in the league
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
The first linebacker taken in the 2006 draft after being a consensus All-American each of his final two seasons at 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 27 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 (a former linebacker himself) drafted Hawk, unlike most of the other high-profile selections, the linebacker 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 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
That move was no surprise to those who knew him, because humility had defined Hawk since his days at Centerville (Ohio) High School, when he instructed his parents not to cheer for him and he never wore his high school varsity jackets to avoid coming across as “big-time”
In college, was always at his best in the Buckeyes’ biggest games
In just one game against eventual national champion Texas in 2005, induced QB Vince Young into two and nearly three turnovers with an interception, fumble recovery, sack, and another forced fumble
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 Fiesta Bowl, when Ohio State claimed the national championship for the 2002 season
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

2008 Season

Started every game for the third straight season, playing through chest and groin injuries
Had nine starts at weak-side linebacker and final seven at middle linebacker, where he replaced the injured Barnett
Led team with 121 tackles (84 solo)
Led linebackers and was tied for second on the team with 3.0 sacks
On the field for 869-of-1,050 (82.8 percent) defensive plays, most among the team’s linebackers
Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): Started at WLB and led the team with season-high 12 tackles after missing final three preseason games with chest injury suffered in preseason opener vs. Cincinnati (Aug. 11). Wore a shoulder harness to help protect the injury
At Detroit (Sept. 14): Posted first two-sack game of his career and tied for team lead with seven tackles. On second sack, leaped over attempted block by RB Kevin Smith and brought down QB Jon Kitna
Vs. Dallas (Sept. 21): Finished second on the team with 11 tackles. Combined with S Aaron Rouse to stop RB Marion Barber for a 1-yard loss in third quarter
At Tampa Bay (Sept. 28): Posted four tackles and broke up a pass intended for TE Jerramy Stevens in the end zone on third down to limit the Bucs to a field goal. Left game briefly in second half with groin injury but continued to start despite being limited in practice the next two weeks
Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Saw limited time and did not post any tackles for first time in career as team primarily used nickel package
Vs. Chicago (Nov. 16): Started first career game at MLB in place of an injured Barnett and led team with 12 tackles, matching his season high
At Jacksonville (Dec. 14): Started at MLB and tied for team high with 10 tackles, including sack of David Garrard for an 8-yard loss early in the fourth quarter
Vs. Detroit (Dec. 28): Started seventh straight game at MLB and surpassed 400-tackle mark for his career with eight stops

2007 Season

Started all 16 games (plus both playoff contests) at WLB and finished second on the team with 129 tackles (81 solo), adding one sack, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, one interception and four passes defensed
Played 92.2 percent of the defensive snaps
Vs. Washington (Oct. 14): Made nine tackles (six solo), plus one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In the first quarter, stripped the ball away from tight end Chris Cooley (recovered by Cooley), and in the fourth quarter, dove on a Clinton Portis fumble that was knocked out by Atari Bigby
At Kansas City (Nov. 4): Made his first interception of the year and third of his career, stepping in front of a pass intended for RB Priest Holmes and then fighting for 10 return yards
At Dallas (Nov. 29): Had a team- and season-high 14 tackles (eight solo), with three tackles for loss. In the second quarter, stuffed RB Barber for minus-1 yard. On consecutive pass plays in the third quarter, took down TE Jason Witten for a 1-yard loss and Barber for a loss of 3
Vs. N.Y. Giants (Jan. 20): In the NFC Championship Game, made nine tackles (four solo), with one sack, bringing down Eli Manning on fourth-and-8 near the end of the first half

2006 Season

Started all 16 games and 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
Was on the field for 995 snaps, or 95.3 percent; the Packers thus utilized the nickel package more than dime
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 and won Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors twice (Weeks 7 and 10)
At Detroit (Sept. 24): Recorded his first NFL sack, dropping 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)
At Miami (Oct. 22): Made a team-high 16 tackles (13 solo), plus broke up a pass and sacked Joey Harrington, forcing the Dolphins to settle for a field goal
At Minnesota (Nov. 12): Assisted on two sacks (1.0 total) and posted 17 tackles (11 solo), plus 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 RBs. In the fourth quarter, sacked Johnson again with Barnett, leading to another punt
At Seattle (Nov. 27): Had a career-best 20 tackles (16 solo)
At San Francisco (Dec. 10): Made his first career interception, stepping in front of an Alex Smith throw to TE Vernon Davis in the end zone, returning it 25 yards
At Chicago (Dec. 31): Snared a third-down Brian Griese pass in the third quarter for his second INT
2006 Draft: Selected fifth overall in the first round and joined Vinnie Clark (1991) and John Brockington (1971) in Packers history as first-round selections from Ohio State
Became the first linebacker taken in the top five by the Packers since Fred Carr (5th) in 1968

College

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
Available for every play during his college career, started his final 37 contests in consecutive fashion
Earned B.A. degree in criminology
Senior season (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 posted 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 pass by Young to set up a field goal, recovered Young’s fumble on the ensuing drive, and forced a late-game fumble from Young which the QB 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, vs. No. 16 Michigan State (Oct. 15) and posted a sack and forced fumble, plus returned a blocked punt 8 yards for a TD, vs. No. 25 Northwestern (Nov. 12)
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
Junior season (2004): Entered as media’s preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Started all 12 contests, collecting a collegiate-high 141 tackles (62 solo), en route to consensus All-America honors (The Sporting News, The 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, and had at least nine tackles in all 11 regular-season contests
Notched an astonishing 49 tackles over a three-game stretch, with 14 stops (four solo) at Northwestern (Oct. 2), a career-best 20 tackles (eight solo) – becoming the first OSU player since Chris Spielman in 1986 to reach that single-game mark – vs. No. 15 Wisconsin (Oct. 9), and 15 stops (eight solo) at Iowa (Oct. 16)
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
Sophomore season (2003): 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
In 44-38 triumph vs. No. 24 North Carolina State (Sept. 13), returned an interception 55 yards to set up a field goal and posted 12 tackles (six solo), including two for loss; was in on the game-ending tackle at the Wolfpack goal line, sealing the Buckeyes’ triple-overtime win
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
Freshman season (2002): 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 (Nov. 23), clinching an invitation to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl national championship vs. Miami, Fla. (Jan. 3)

Personal

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 by the Cleveland Browns
The couple wed prior to his first NFL training camp in a civil ceremony, then had a more traditional wedding ceremony in March 2007
Brother, Ryan, played quarterback for the Birmingham Steeldogs of Arena Football ‘2’ and played in college at Ohio University
High school: 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 place-kicker as a senior
Rated as the nation’s No. 30 middle linebacker by Rivals.com, finished with 585 career tackles, including 142 as a freshman 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
Community involvement: Was chosen by local McKinley Elementary student for ‘Take a Player to School’ day and spoke to students about health and fitness
Also visited with local elementary students the past two years as their reward for participating in the Packers’ Women’s Association food drive
Has supported the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer, the Donald Driver Foundation, the Greg Jennings Foundation, the Al Harris Outreach Program and The 2nd & 7 Foundation, which is the charity of Chiefs linebacker and fellow OSU alum Mike Vrabel
Joined the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, which raises money for the The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research; Stefanie – a breast cancer survivor – is the wife of Chris, a former Ohio State and NFL star
Is a spokesman for the Wisconsin Special Olympics, a cause he takes particular interest in because a relative of his used to compete
Active in the 27 Foundation, which gives books to public schools in the Columbus, Ohio area
Hobbies/interests: 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 the U.S. Army in Afghanistan
Maintains friendships with former Buckeyes Bobby Carpenter (Dallas), Nick Mangold (N.Y. Jets) and Anthony Schlegel (formerly N.Y. Jets)
Has a weight room in his house
Threw out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game in April 2007; also took batting practice in full uniform and hit two home runs
Went to the Dominican Republic for an offseason vacation, joined by teammate and fellow LB Brady Poppinga
Enjoys dog training and breeding and playing cornhole
Lists Top Gun as his favorite movie
His favorite book is Good to Go, a first-hand narrative told by Navy S.E.A.L. Harry Constance
Residence: Green Bay

Player Stats

			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	3�	31	2	31	25	0	9	1	2	0
2007 Green Bay	16	16	129	81	48	1	7	1	10	10	0	4	1	1	0
2008 Green Bay	16	16	121	84	37	3	16	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0
NFL totals (three years)	48	48	405	277	128	7½	54	3	41	25	0	16	2	3	0

Playoffs
			Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions					Fumbles
Team	GP	GS	Tot	Solo	Asst	Sk	Yds	No	Yds	Lg	TD	PD	FF	FR	Yds
2007 Green Bay	2	2	15	6	9	1	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0

Additional statistics: Career sacks - Jon Kitna (3), Marc Bulger, David Garrard, Joey Harrington, Brad Johnson, Donovan McNabb (�). Special teams tackles - 6 in 2006, 1 in 2007; NFL total: 7.

SINGLE-GAME CAREER HIGHS
Tackles
Total: 20, at Sea. (11/27/06)
Solo: 16, at Sea. (11/27/06)
Sacks: 2, at Det., (9/14/08)

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
Game Date	Opp	No	Yds	Avg	TD	Sacks
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
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
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
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
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
Sep 8, 2008	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 14, 2008	@DET	0	0	0.0	0	2
Sep 21, 2008	DAL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 28, 2008	@TB	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 5, 2008	ATL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 12, 2008	@SEA	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 19, 2008	IND	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 2, 2008	@TEN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 9, 2008	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 16, 2008	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 24, 2008	@NO	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 30, 2008	CAR	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 7, 2008	HOU	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 14, 2008	@JAC	0	0	0.0	0	1
Dec 22, 2008	@CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 28, 2008	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
2008 Totals		0	0	0.0	0	3
Sep 13, 2009	CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 20, 2009	CIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Sep 27, 2009	@STL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 5, 2009	@MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 18, 2009	DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Oct 25, 2009	@CLE	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 1, 2009	MIN	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 8, 2009	@TB	0	0	0.0	0	1
Nov 15, 2009	DAL	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 22, 2009	SF	0	0	0.0	0	0
Nov 26, 2009	@DET	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 7, 2009	BAL	1	13	13.0	0	0
Dec 13, 2009	@CHI	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 20, 2009	@PIT	0	0	0.0	0	0
Dec 27, 2009	SEA	1	29	29.0	0	0
Jan 3, 2010	@ARI	0	0	0.0	0	0
2009 Totals		2	42	21.0	0	1
Packers Totals		5	83	16.6	0	8.5

Statistics provided by Elias Sports Bureau