Legendary Ohio State LB Earns Pro Football HOF Nod, Leaving Close Friend Pat McAfee Emotional

Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees are out, and it’s no surprise that Ohio State alumni are in it. One former Buckeye star was included among NFL greats for the first time, bringing more glory to Columbus. He’s someone who always downplayed his achievements, but Pat McAfee made sure to celebrate the icon for this major achievement. “We forget how great of a football player he is,” the analyst said about the OSU legend and his friend.

Ohio State has won a lot of Nattys, sure. But the first one in the modern era came in 2002, which had a budding star in linebacker AJ Hawk. He ended up growing into an absolute phenom as a Buckeye, having totaled 394 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 13 pass breakups. Hawk went on to star for the Packers, winning a Super Bowl in 2011. Now appearing as a co-host on The Pat McAfee Show, he humbly accepted the praise coming from McAfee himself.

“We are incredibly pumped for you, AJ,” the analyst said in a recent episode of his show. “I know you would diminish this because you had to be you’re guy, that didn’t need titles or approval from other people to feel fulfillment or have success,” McAfee added in his praise for the LB. Hawk, before McAfee began with his speech, simply said “thank you” to the crew for acknowledging the honor. He is among 14 LBs nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Hawk bowed out of college football on a big note. In that defining win over Notre Dame in 2005, the LB had 12 total tackles, and also sacked Brady Quinn twice. Funnily enough, Quinn would later go on to become Hawk’s brother-in-law. The star LB ended up winning the Lombardi Trophy in 2005, and also went as the 5 pick in the 2006 draft to the Packers. He is one of only 2 LBs in Packers history to have been picked that high in the draft. After his long career with the franchise, he set a record having the most tackles in its history, at 1,118.

Hawk appreciated the gesture from the board for his nomination, but he also wished for another former OSU star to be able to join him.

AJ Hawk wanted his childhood friend and former teammate to be included among the nominees

AJ Hawk was not the only OSU player who made waves in the 2006 draft. His teammate and roommate from college, Nick Mangold, went with him as a first-round pick to the Jets. The star center was getting buzz for achievements that usually don’t come with the position. Mangold was gaining support to be named Rookie of the Year in his debut. The former OL has made Pro Bowl honors twice, in 2008 and 2009.

AJ Hawk gave a shoutout to his former teammate on The Pat McAfee Show. “Nick should get in soon as well,” he said. Interestingly, Mangold is already a Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee, getting that honor in 2021. The duo actually go way back, being Kettering natives and playing for Centerville High. Being friends for all this time, it’s no wonder that Hawk wanted to share this achievement with him.

Hawk had never been one for the spotlight off the field. But that didn’t mean Pat McAfee was going to hold back on his celebration for his friend. It’s a huge honor to share a place among the players who shaped the NFL, and it’s something that the LB will definitely be warranted for at some point after his career.