From baseball prospect to NFL star: the resilient journey of Hayden Hurst
In short: Before becoming a first-round NFL tight end, Hayden Hurst was a professional baseball prospect. A sudden struggle with 'the yips' forced him to abandon a lucrative baseball career to walk onto a college football team, eventually leading him to the highest level of professional football.
Hayden Hurst's professional trajectory was nearly defined by a different sport. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him during the 17th round of the 2012 MLB draft. He signed with the organization for a $400,000 bonus, choosing the professional diamond over a baseball scholarship to Florida State. However, his time in the minor leagues was brief; in his only pitching appearance, he struggled significantly, walking five batters and throwing two wild pitches in just one-third of an inning. This performance, combined with what he described as being afflicted by 'the yips,' led him to abandon baseball entirely.
Hurst pivoted to football at the University of South Carolina, where his rapid ascent began. After playing as a true freshman in 2015, he became a standout performer, earning a unanimous selection to the 2017 All-Southeastern Conference football team. This collegiate success translated to the NFL, where the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the first round of the 2018 draft as the first tight end taken. He signed a four-year, $11 million contract with the Ravens on June 19, 2018, which included a $6.1 million signing bonus.
His time in professional sports lasted seven seasons across various teams, such as the Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Atlanta Falcons. Throughout his tenure, Hurst faced various physical challenges, from undergoing Tommy John surgery at age 14 to dealing with post-traumatic amnesia following a concussion in 2023. After a career marked by high-stakes competition and multiple team transitions, Hurst officially announced his retirement from professional football on March 9, 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Hayden Hurst
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