The linebacker who grew his hair out to honor a fallen hero
In short: Before becoming an NFL standout, A. J. Hawk and his teammates made a striking visual statement on the field. In 2005, they chose to grow their hair long as a tribute to Pat Tillman, a soldier who famously walked away from a multi-million dollar contract to serve his country.
A. J. Hawk’s journey to the NFL was defined by early dominance at Ohio State University. As a freshman in 2002, he helped the Buckeyes secure a BCS National Championship. By his senior year in 2005, he had established himself as one of the nation's premier defenders, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for three consecutive years and winning the Lombardi Award as the best college football linebacker.
The most poignant chapter of his collegiate career involved a collective act of solidarity. Following the 2004 death of Pat Tillman—who had declined a $3.6 million NFL contract to join the Army in 2002—Hawk and three other starting linebackers decided to grow their hair out. This tribute was inspired by Jim Tressel’s 2004 Winners Manual, which detailed Tillman's sacrifice. This gesture became a defining cultural moment for the team during their final season together.
Hawk transitioned to the professional ranks as the first linebacker selected in the 2006 NFL draft, joining the Green Bay Packers. Over 11 seasons, he became a cornerstone of the defense, leading the team in tackles in five of his nine years in Green Bay. His career was marked by significant longevity and versatility, spanning roles from weakside to inside linebacker, and culminating in a Super Bowl XLV victory in 2011.
His legacy is also rooted in his hometown of Centerville, Ohio. As a high school standout, Hawk set defensive records that remain unmatched, including three instances of recording 31 tackles in a single game and a career total of 583 tackles. He remains one of only three active NFL players to have played for the Centerville Elks.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: A. J. Hawk
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