Casey Hampton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Casey Hampton

Hampton with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016
No. 98
Position:	Nose tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1977-09-03) September 3, 1977 (age 47) Galveston, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:	Ball (Galveston)
College:	Texas (1996–2000)
NFL Draft:	2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2001–2012)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII) 5× Pro Bowl (2003, 2005–2007, 2009) Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2000) Consensus All-American (2000) First-team All-American (1999) 2× First-team All-Big 12 (1999, 2000) Second-team All-Big 12 (1998) 1999 Cotton Bowl Classic champion
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 398 Sacks: 9.0 Forced fumbles: 4 Fumble recoveries: 2
Player stats at PFR

Casey Hampton Jr. (born September 3, 1977) is a former American football player. He was a five-time Pro Bowl nose tackle. He also won two Super Bowls during his twelve seasons. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he was an All-American college player. He played for the Texas Longhorns. The Steelers chose him in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft.

Early Life and High School Sports

Casey Hampton was born in Galveston, Texas. He went to Ball High School in Galveston. There, he was a star in both football and track. He was named the District Defensive Player of the Year twice. In his senior year, he was chosen for the Texas Class 5A All-State first-team. His high school football jersey number, 63, was retired in his honor. He is the only football player from Ball High to receive this special award.

In track and field, Casey was also a top athlete. He was good at throwing events. He had impressive throws in the shot put and discus throw.

College Football Career

Casey Hampton played college football at the University of Texas. He started 37 games in a row for the Texas Longhorns football team from 1997 to 2000. He was the first defensive lineman to lead his team in tackles for two years in a row (1999–2000). He made 329 tackles in college. This placed him 11th on the school's all-time list.

He also put pressure on quarterbacks 56 times. He caused nine fumbles during his college career. As a senior, he was named a first-team All-American. He was also a first-team All-Big 12 Conference player. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

In 1999, he was also a first-team All-American. In 1998, he was named the team's Most Consistent Defensive Player. He played in every game that year. He made 60 tackles and had two sacks. He also recovered one fumble. As a freshman in 1996, he played in every game. He started six games as a nose guard. He made 77 tackles and forced a fumble. Casey studied history in college.

In 2000, the student newspaper at Texas, The Daily Texan, called Hampton "relentless." Casey himself said, "You never know when your last play is going to be. So you should go hard all the time." His teammate, Greg Brown, said Casey was "so intent on destroying people that he never takes time to rest."

Professional Football Career

Joining the Steelers (2001)

The Pittsburgh Steelers chose Casey Hampton in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft. He was the 19th player picked overall. He was the fifth defensive tackle chosen that year.

In July 2001, the Steelers signed Hampton to a five-year contract. It was worth $6.80 million. He also received a $3.10 million signing bonus.

He started his first NFL season as a backup nose tackle. His first game was against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In October 2001, his coach, Bill Cowher, made him the starting nose tackle. He made his first start against the Tennessee Titans. In Week 9, he got his first career sack against the Cleveland Browns. He finished his first year with 22 tackles and one sack. The Steelers' defense was the best in the league that year.

The Steelers made it to the playoffs. Casey played in his first playoff game in January 2002. They won against the Baltimore Ravens. The next week, they lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

Building His Career (2002–2005)

In 2002, Casey was the Steelers' starting nose tackle. He had a great game in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He made six tackles and had two sacks. He also forced two fumbles. He even recovered one fumble himself. He finished the season with 40 tackles and two sacks.

In 2003, Casey continued as a starter. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl game. He played in all 16 games. He made 39 tackles and had one sack.

In 2004, Casey started the season strong. However, he tore a ligament in his knee in October. This injury ended his season early. He played in only six games that year.

The Steelers believed in Casey. In August 2005, they signed him to a new five-year contract. It was worth $22.80 million. He returned as a starter after his injury. He played in 16 games and made 42 tackles.

The Steelers made the playoffs again in 2005. Casey helped them win the AFC Wildcard game. He was also chosen for the 2006 Pro Bowl. The Steelers then won the AFC Divisional Round and the AFC Championship Game. They reached Super Bowl XL. On February 5, 2006, Casey helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XL. They beat the Seattle Seahawks 21–10. He made four tackles and had a sack in that game.

Continued Success (2006–2009)

Casey Hampton warming up with the Steelers in November 2006

Casey Hampton (98) during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006

Casey continued to be the starting nose tackle in 2006. He missed one game due to a hamstring injury. He finished the season with 40 tackles. He was also named to the 2007 Pro Bowl.

In 2007, the Steelers got a new coach, Mike Tomlin. Casey remained the starting nose tackle. He missed one game with another hamstring injury. He had a career-high eight tackles in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In 2008, Casey missed three games due to a groin injury. He returned and helped the Steelers. He made two tackles and sacked the quarterback against the New England Patriots. He finished the season with 22 tackles.

The Steelers had a great 2008 season. They won their division and made the playoffs. They defeated the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens. This led them to Super Bowl XLIII. On February 1, 2009, Casey started in Super Bowl XLIII. The Steelers won 27–23 against the Arizona Cardinals. This was Casey's second Super Bowl championship!

In 2009, Casey played in all 16 games. He had a career-high 43 tackles. He also had 2.5 sacks, which was his career best. He was chosen for the 2010 Pro Bowl.

Final Seasons (2010–2012)

In February 2010, the Steelers signed Casey to another contract. It was for three years and $21.30 million. He continued to be a key player on the defensive line. He missed one game due to a hamstring injury. He finished the season with 20 tackles and one sack.

The Steelers made it to Super Bowl XLV in 2010. They played against the Green Bay Packers. Casey started the game and made one tackle. However, the Steelers lost 31–25.

Casey Hampton in 2011

In 2011, Casey missed three games because of a shoulder injury. He still played in 13 games. He made 31 tackles that season.

Before the 2012 season, Casey had surgery on his knee. He agreed to change his contract to stay with the Steelers. He was still named the starting nose tackle. He played in all 16 games that year. He recorded 26 tackles. This was his last season in the NFL.

Over his career, Casey Hampton played in 157 regular season games. He made 350 tackles and had 9.0 sacks. He also forced four fumbles and recovered two. After he retired, he was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NFL Career Statistics