The Green Bay Packers announced Wednesday that they released veteran linebacker A.J. Hawk after nine seasons with the team. I thought today would be a fantastic time to look back on the years A.J. has spent with us and reminisce.
Even though he has grown older and slower over the course of his time in Green Bay, A.J. Hawk knew how to tackle a ball carrier. As the 5th overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Hawk was taken before players like Jay Cutler, Antonio Cromartie, Santonio Holmes, Devin Hester, Maurice Jones-Drew, Brandon Marshall and Greg Jennings.
At the time of his release, Hawk was the all-time tackles leader for the Packers organization at 1,118. In his nine years with the team, Hawk played in all but two contests. He tallied nine interceptions, 19 sacks and five fumble recoveries.
Now that stats are out of the way, let’s look at some of the other things that made A.J. Hawk a special individual.
Chopping off his hair was a state-wide news story in Wisconsin.
He tackled a fan at a golf tournament because he asked him to.
His random, obscene gestures on the field.
His clear dislike for this call.
In the end, that really matters is that another Packers jersey I have is obsolete (#74 Aaron Kampman was the first). I hope Hawk is able to find another job in the NFL, but I hope he doesn’t join Brandon Bostick on the Vikings…
