A.J. Hawk
A.J. Hawk
Aaron James "A. J." Hawkis an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers fifth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and he would later win Super Bowl XLV with the team over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Ohio State, where he earned All-American honors twice and won the Lombardi Award as a senior. A.J. also runs his own podcast called The HawkCast...
explain grew guys hour realized state tough
It's tough to explain to them. Guys from out of state may have an idea of what it's about, but once you get here it's completely different. I know once I got here I realized how different it was - and I grew up an hour away from Columbus.
bowl charlie coach everybody five four giving talked upset weeks
Everybody talked about giving Charlie Weis four weeks to prepare. That kind of upset me. What about giving coach Tress four weeks to prepare? He's four out of five in bowl games.
fans plenty root
I'd be happy. I think you should root for your brother. We have plenty of fans for our team.
defensive ends four guess guys justify obviously running rush spot taking three
Obviously we're not big defensive ends who are going to get 15 to 18 sacks a year. We're not going to be a running back who's going to rush for 1,500 yards. It's a spot where there's three or four of them on the field. I guess you can justify not taking guys too high.
known longer rooting
She's rooting for her brother. She better. She's known him a lot longer than me.
either inside teams
I think most teams would want me at the inside in a 3-4, from what I've heard. Either one I'd feel comfortable with.
guys trying
I was trying to get to the ball. I play with 10 other guys who are really good.
battles best defense people trying
People always try to get us in linebacker battles with the other teams. But we're trying to be the best defense in the country. We're going in as a defense and to make a statement.
ball bit face facing next offense pound spread team trying week
I think the linebacker position, with all the defenses they're playing, and with all the offenses you have to face - one week you're facing a spread offense and the next week a team is trying to pound the ball on you - you have to be able to do a little bit of everything.
aware gets pocket sudden teams turn
I think you always have to be aware of where he (Young) is and not turn your back on him. Some teams play man-to-man, turn their back and all of a sudden he's gone; he gets out of the pocket and scrambles. You've got to know where he is and know he can make something out of nothing at any time.
bad cutting game great grounded head keeps lets listen regardless says upset
He keeps you grounded and lets you know that regardless of what happens, don't ever get too upset about what someone says to you. If you have a bad game and someone's cutting you down, don't get down on yourself. If you have a great game, don't listen to them. Don't let your head get big because of it.
air atmosphere coming early electricity game giving hurt knew match ready
We knew they'd come out with the atmosphere of the game and electricity in the air they'd come out ready to play. And we knew we had to match that. I think coming out and giving up that early touchdown hurt us a little bit.
certain change guys head percent whoever
There are certain guys you want to hit, and some you don't. I try to take everyone's head off, to tell the truth. I'm not going to play differently regardless. I'm out there to play 100 percent every play, whoever it is. If it was my own brother, I wouldn't change my play.
career respect
We get to end our career here where he played, and we have a lot of respect for him and what he did.