Andrew Hawkins

The epitome of perseverance, Andrew Hawkins took a unique path to success. After staring at the University of Toledo and standing only 5’7, Hawkins set out on an improbable odyssey to NFL stardom that included working as a caddy, factory worker, Detroit Lions player personnel intern, starring on SpikeTV reality competition 4th and long, and playing in the Canadian Football League. Three years after his college graduation, Hawkins finally landed a spot in the National Football League, and went on to play seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns before retiring from the New England Patriots. Named a team captain while playing for the Browns, Hawkins amassed 250 receptions, 14 touchdowns, and nearly 3,000 yards throughout his professional football career.

Hawkins is equally impressive off of the field and earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University while simultaneously playing in the NFL, graduating with a 4.03 G.P.A in 2017. In the summer of 2018, Hawkins will pursue his PhD in sports business and economics. Hawkins has also made national news for his stances on social justice issues and has been invited to Capitol Hill numerous times to discuss law enforcement and community relations issues with members of Congress. Hawkins hosts ESPN’s new SportsCenter show on Snapchat, Operation Football on ESPN Radio, The ThomaHawk Podcast on Uninterrupted, and is the Director of Business Development for the media, marketing, and entertainment companies of Maverick Carter & LeBron James.