Casey Hampton

At 46 years old, Casey Hampton has this physical status:

Casey Hampton Jr. (born September 3, 1977), nicknamed "Big Snack," is a former American football nose tackle who played twelve seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the University of Texas, and received All-American recognition.

The Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft.

Hampton was selected for the Pro Bowl five times.

Early years

Hampton was born in Galveston, Texas. He attended Ball High School in Galveston, Texas, and was a letterman in football and track. He was twice named as the District Defensive Player of the Year, and as a senior, he was a Texas Class 5A All-State first-team selection. His Ball High jersey number (No. 63) was retired at a dinner and parade on April 6, 2009. Hampton is the only football player in school history to receive such an honor.

In track & field, Hampton was one of the state's top performers in the throwing events. He had top throws of 16.13 meters in the shot put and 48.08 meters in the discus throw.

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College career

Hampton played football for the University of Texas and played 37 games for the Texas Longhorns football team from 1997 to 2000. He was the first defensive lineman to lead the team in tackles for two seasons (1999-2000), and he led the team in tackles (1999–2000), earning 329 tackles (177 solos) and ranked 11th on the school's all-time list. In his college career, Hampton faced 56 quarterback pressures and accounted for nine fumbles. He received consensus All-American recognition as a senior from the Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Foundation, according to him. The Conference Coaches also selected him as the first-team All-Big 12 Conference pick and named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Hampton was a first-team pick by the Football Writers Association and Associated Press as a youth in 1999. He was named the team's Most Consistent Defensive Player in 1998 and played every game. He finished with 60 tackles (29 solos) and eight stops for injuries, with two sacks and eight stops for injury, five pass deflections, and one fumble. He appeared in three games in 1997 before being granted a medical redshirt, but in every game as a true freshman in 1996, starting six at nose guard and collecting 77 tackles (51 solos), one sack, and seven stops for losses. In his freshman year, he suffered from three quarterback pressures and a forced fumble. The main event in history is a major exhibition.

Hampton was characterized as "relentless" by The Daily Texan, Texas's student daily paper, even quoting Hampton. "You never know when your last play is going to be," Texas's defensive tackle said. "You should go hard all the time." "I have never seen him take a downer," Hampton said at the time, "he's just so keen on killing people that he never takes time to rest." It's gotta be a gift." Hampton was a 2nd round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2001 and a Longhorn from 1997–2000, and after Hampton was quoted as saying, "No one man can block me." While two guys can certainly get it done, there is never one man. "I can always conquer one," the Daily Texan wrote this: "He's said he's never been caked." Rogers, a fellow defensive tackle, said, "ever" has been a champion." "He claims he wasn't even caked in junior high, but I'm humble enough to admit that I may have been once or twice." So some of what he says is doubtful, I'd say.

Professional career

In the first round (19th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Hampton. In 2001, Hampton was the fifth defensive tackle drafted.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Hampton to a five-year, $6.80 million deal on July 22, 2001, with a signing bonus of $3.10 million.

He trained for the position as the starting nose tackle against Kendrick Clancy in preparation camp. Hampton was named the backbone tackle for Kendrick Clancy by head coach Bill Cowher to begin the regular season.

He made his professional debut in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opening 21–3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bill Cowher, the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, named Hampton as the starting nose tackle for the remainder of the season, but said Kendrick Clancy would still be rotated. During a 34–7 win over the Tennessee Titans on October 29, 2001, Hampton made his first appearance in his career and two combined tackles. In the Steelers' 15–12 victory over the Cleveland Browns, quarterback Tim Couch made his first career move and was suspended for the first time in Week 9. He finished his rookie season with 22 combined tackles (nine solo) and a sack in 16 games and 11 starts. The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense was ranked as the No. 1 in the nation's defense. Overall, there was 1 defense against the run and also placed second.

With a 13–3 record and clinched a playoff berth, the Pittsburgh Steelers came in first in the AFC Central. In a 27–10 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round on January 20, 2002, Hampton started in his first career playoff game and had three combined tackles. In the Steelers' 24–17 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game the following week, he made two combined tackles.

Hampton was named the starting nose tackle in training camp and was officially named the starter for the 2002 regular season. Tim Lewis, the offensive coordinator, has also retained Aaron Smith and Kimo von Oelhoffen as the starting defensive ends. In the New England Patriots' season-opener, he appeared in three combined tackles, his highest tackles were recorded. During a 16-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns, Hampton had a season-high six combined tackles. In the Steelers' 17-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Week 16, he had two combined tackles, two forced fumbles, and two season-high two sacks. In the second quarter, Hampton sparked a fumble by fullback Mike Alstott and recovered it for the first time he fumbled his career in the second quarter. Rob Johnson had a strip/sack on quarterback Rob Johnson, and Kendrell Bell's teammate Kendrell Bell recovered the ball to avoid a potential touchdown on the Steelers' five-yard line in the third quarter. Shaun King, a quarterback for Houston, was suspended for his first multi-sack game of his career. In 16 games and 15 starts, he had 40 combined tackles (23 solo), two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

The starting defensive line for Hampton, Aaron Smith, and Kimo von Oelhoffen returned to action as the 2003 regular season. In a 41-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on September 14, 2003, Hampton defeated Trent Green with a season-high three solo tackles and fired quarterback Trent Green. During a 6–0 loss to the New York Jets in Week 14, he had a season-high four combined tackles. Hampton was voted into the 2004 Pro Bowl on December 18, 2003, marking his first Pro Bowl selection. Hampton played in all 16 regular season games in 2003 and had 39 total tackles (27 solo), a pass deflection, and a dismissal. The Pittsburgh Steelers finished third in the AFC North with a 6-10 record, but did not qualify for the playoffs.

Tim Lewis, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator, was fired on January 8, 2004. Dick LeBeau, the Pittsburgh Steelers' new defensive coordinator, kept Hampton as the starting nose tackle, as well as defensive ends Aaron Smith and Kimo von Oelhoffen. During a 30-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, he had a season-high five combined tackles. Hampton made one solo tackle on October 17, 2004 before losing by a score in the fourth quarter of a 24-20 victory at the Dallas Cowboys. The Pittsburgh Steelers recalled Hampton on season-ending injured reserve after a torn ACL in his right knee. Hampton had 15 total tackles (eight solo) in six games and six starts for the season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Hampton to a five-year, $22.80 million contract extension on August 22, 2005, with a signing bonus of $4 million.

Hampton, as the starter and anchored the defensive line in 2005, as well as Smith and Oelhoffen. During the Steelers' 20–19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on October 31, 2005, Hampton recorded a season-high five combined tackles. In 16 games and 15 starts, he had 42 combined tackles (25 solo) in 16 games and 15 starts.

In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers came in second, clinching a wildcard berth. During a 31-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wildcard Game on January 8, 2006, Hampton recorded two solo tackles. Hampton was chosen to play in the 2006 Pro Bowl as a late replacement for New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour, who was unable to participate due to an injury on January 26, 2006. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts 21-18 in the AFC Divisional Round and the Denver Broncos 34-17 in the AFC Championship Game, defeating them 31–17. Hampton defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21–10 in Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006, with four solo tackles and suspended quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Hampton resurfaced as the starting nose tackle in 2006 and was matched with defensive ends Aaron Smith and Brett Kiesel. After injuring his hamstring the previous week, he was inactive during the Steelers' Week 8 loss to the Oakland Browners. During a 38–31 victory over the New Orleans Saints, he recorded a season-high six combined tackles and deflected a pass. Hampton was named to the 2007 Pro Bowl on December 19, 2006. He played in 15 games and 15 starts last season, finishing with 40 combined tackles (25 solo) and a pass deflection in 25 games and 15 starts.

Bill Cowher, the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, announced his resignation on January 5, 2007. Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator, was hired by Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin. Tomlin retained defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and named Hampton as the starting nose tackle in the regular season. Hampton was inactive during the Steelers' Week 5 victory over the Seattle Seahawks due to a hamstring injury. During a 29-23 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 16, 2007, Hampton recorded a career-high eight combined tackles. Hampton ended the season with 33 combined tackles (17 solo) and was credited with half a dismissal in 15 games and 15 starts.

Hampton, Kiesel, and Smith were the starting defensive linemen for the third straight season. Due to a groin injury, he missed three games in a row (Weeks 4–7). During a 21–14 loss to the New York Giants, Hampton returned in Week 8 and recorded a season-high six combined tackles. During the Steelers' 33–10 victory over the New England Patriots on November 30, 2008, he made two solo tackles and suspended quarterback Mattt Cassel. He finished the season in 2008 with 22 combined tackles (13 solo), a pass deflection, and a dismissal in 13 games and 13 starts.

With a first round bye, the Pittsburgh Steelers finished first in the AFC North with a 12–4 record and a playoff berth. After beating the San Diego Chargers 35-24 in the AFC Divisional Round and the Baltimore Ravens 23-14 in the AFC Championship Game, the Steelers reached Super Bowl XLIII. Hampton defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27–23 on February 1, 2009, starting in Super Bowl XLIII and making two combined tackles.

Hampton got off to a winning 13–10 win over the Tennessee Titans in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opener against the Tennessee Titans. During a 23–20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, he made two solo tackles and fired quarterback Carson Palmer. During a 37–36 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 20, 2009, Hampton tied his season-high of five combined tackles and was credited with half a sack. Hampton was selected to play in the 2010 Pro Bowl on December 29, 2009. He appeared in all 16 games in 2009 and finished with a career-high 43 combined tackles (23 solo) and a career-best 2.5 sacks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Hampton to a three-year, $21.30 million contract, with $11 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $6.50 million.

Hampton, Kiesel, and Smith were named as the starting defensive linemen for the sixth straight season, according to defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. He was unable to participate in the Steelers' Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans due to a hamstring injury. Hampton lost by 17–14 to the Baltimore Ravens on October 3, 2010, with one solo tackle and suspended quarterback Joe Flacco. During a 22-17 loss to the New York Jets, he had a season-high three combined tackles during Week 15. He had 20 combined tackles (ten solo) and was suspended in 15 games and 14 starts during the season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers debuted their 12-4 record and placed first in the first round bye. In the AFC Divisional Round and the New York Jets 24-20, the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 31–24 and the New York Jets 24–19, the Steelers winning Super Bowl XLV. As the Steelers defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-27, Hampton got off in Super Bowl XLV and made one solo tackle on February 6, 2011.

Due to a shoulder injury he sustained last week, Hampton was forced to miss three games (Weeks 5–7). In Week 14 of the Steelers' 14–3 victory over the Cleveland Browns, he had a season-high six combined tackles. Hampton played in 13 games and 12 starts during his 11th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. (17 solo) in 31 total tackles (17 solo) in 13 games and 12 starts.

Hampton underwent ACL surgery in the offseason. Hampton decided to restructure his deal in order to remain with the Steelers on March 15, 2012. His base salary went from $4.89 million to $2.80 million. Hampton's starting nose tackle was named by head coach Mike Tomlin, ahead of Steve McLendon. He and Brett Kiesel and Ziggy Hood got off the ground together. During a 13-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, he had a season-high four combined tackles. During the Steelers' 13–10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, he tied his season-high of four combined tackles for Week 16. He appeared in all 16 games in 2012 and had 26 total tackles (11 solo).

He has appeared in 157 regular season games, including 350 tackles, 9.0 sacks, three pass deflected, four forced fumbles, and two recovered fumbles.

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