By Mark Eckel/Engagement Insider
It was the 2006 NFL Draft and Hawk, a linebacker from Ohio State, was one of the top college prospects. He takes us back to what it was like leading up to what at the time was the biggest day of his football life.
“It was a hectic time,’’ Hawk said. “A lot of traveling around, and I was still in school. Some of my teammates had dropped out because they were getting drafted, I stayed in school to graduate. So, I’m still on campus, worrying about my finals. And then there’s the draft coming up, too.’’
Houston had the first pick and were reportedly torn between defensive end Mario Williams and running back Reggie Bush. New Orleans followed at No. 2, with Tennessee, the New York Jets and Green Bay rounding out the top five.
“I never put a lot of thought into where I would go, or what pick I would be,’’ Hawk said. “I was just playing college football and once the bowl game ended and the season was over, I remember just thinking whatever happens, happens. I never studied the teams to see what their needs were, who needed a linebacker, or anything like that. I’m glad that I was kind of naive, because you have no control over it. Friends and family would ask me all the time ‘where do I want to go’, I had no idea.
“I kind of liked the mystery of it all. I’m happy I never got caught up in all of that. It could drive you crazy.’’
Back in 2006, the NFL Draft began Saturday at noon and Hawk turned down a request to go to New York to instead be with family and friends at his parents’ house in Centerville, Ohio.
“I was so burned out by then,’’ he said. “I just wanted to be home with my family.
“And honestly, I had no idea where I was going. The Packers never really even talked to me. They never brought me in for a visit, or none of that. The only time I met with them was at the Combines, but I met with every team at the Combines. So I didn’t know what to expect. I remember meeting with Tennessee, they had No. 3. They said we wanted to bring you in and talk to you, but we’re taking a QB.’’
And the Titans did just that.
Houston decided on Williams at No. 1; leaving Bush for New Orleans at No. 2. Tennessee then took quarterback Vince Young at No. 3.
“The Jets (at No. 4) just picked D’Brickshaw (Ferguson) and the Packers are on the clock,’’ Hawk said. “I have a bunch of people at the house, extended family and all, my fiancee, now, my wife, was there. There were five minutes left on the clock and my phone rang. It was Green Bay. ‘Just want to let you know we’re taking you here, stay on the line,’ they told me.
I’ve joked later that I never got to enjoy hearing my name called, because I was holding the phone. My family is jumping around and celebrating and I’m holding the phone.’’
When he got off the phone after talking to Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson, head coach Mike McCarthy and position coach Winston Moss, it all start to hit him.
“So much starts to go through your mind,’’ Hawk said. “I’m a Packer now. I started to think of who they have on their team. Of course, Brett Favre is the quarterback. But it all happened so quickly. My family was super happy about me going to Green Bay, I remember that. Then some random guy showed up at my door with some Packers hats and asked me to sign them. It was funny.
“Then the next thing you know I have to fly there. I have to drive to Cincinnati and get on a flight to Green Bay.’’
Hawk started at linebacker for the Packers for nine years and was an integral part of their Super Bowl XLV championship.
“It all worked out pretty well,’’ he said. “I couldn’t have planned it any better.’’