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Alex Hawkins

Clifton Alexander "Alex" Hawkins (July 2, 1937 – September 12, 2017) was an American professional football player who played as a , , and special teams contributor in the () for ten seasons from 1959 to 1968. Hawkins spent the majority of his career with the , where he served as co-captain, and also played for the . Over 125 games, he recorded 787 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, along with 1,751 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, while excelling in special teams roles. Born in , Hawkins attended the , where he played as a three-year letterwinner from 1956 to 1958 under head coach Warren Giese. In 1958, he earned the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year award. Hawkins amassed 1,491 rushing yards over his college career. Selected by the in the second round (13th overall) of the , Hawkins was released by coach and subsequently signed with the , where he debuted in the same year. He transitioned effectively from halfback to flanker and roles later in his career, with his best statistical season coming in 1966 with , when he recorded 661 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Hawkins contributed to multiple Colts playoff appearances, including the 1959 NFL Championship victory and the , though the team fell short of a title in the latter. After retiring, he remained involved in football through speaking engagements and community activities.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Clifton Alexander Hawkins was born on July 2, 1937, in , to and Lula Hawkins. Hawkins was married to Charlotte "Charlie" Hawkins, and the couple had a son named Steele Hawkins and a daughter named .

High school athletics

Hawkins attended South Charleston High School in South Charleston, West Virginia, where he graduated in 1955. He became the first student in the school's history to letter in four sports: , , , and . This versatility highlighted his athletic prowess across multiple disciplines during his high school years. In football, Hawkins excelled as a running back and earned selection to the West Virginia high school all-star team, where he served as captain of the North squad. He was named the most valuable player of the all-star game, solidifying his reputation as a standout performer.

College career

University of South Carolina

Alex Hawkins enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 1955 and played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 1956 to 1958 as a three-year letterwinner under head coach Warren Giese. His high school versatility across multiple sports laid the foundation for his multi-role adaptability in college. Primarily a running back, Hawkins also contributed on defense, as a passer, receiver, and special teams player, including kicking extra points and returning punts. Over his career, he amassed 1,491 rushing yards on 339 carries (averaging 4.4 yards per attempt) and 11 rushing touchdowns, while adding 270 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown for a total of 12 touchdowns. In 1956, his freshman season, he led the team in receiving with 92 yards; in 1957, he topped the squad in passing and punt returns; and across all three years, he paced South Carolina in scoring. His senior year in 1958 was particularly standout, rushing for 474 yards, earning Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year honors, and third-team All-America recognition as one of only two Gamecocks ever to receive that distinction. During Hawkins' tenure, the Gamecocks compiled records of 7–3 in 1956 (third in the ACC), 5–5 in 1957 (seventh in the ACC), and 7–3 in 1958 (second in the ACC), though the team did not participate in any bowl games. Hawkins' consistent production helped elevate the program's competitiveness in the ACC, contributing to back-to-back 7–3 seasons that positioned South Carolina as a near-contender for major bowls like the Orange Bowl in 1958.

Draft and early professional prospects

Hawkins was selected by the in the second round, 13th overall, of the out of the . His standout college performance, including earning ACC Player of the Year honors in 1958 as a halfback, had drawn significant attention from NFL scouts seeking versatile ball carriers. Following the draft, Hawkins reported to the Packers' in Green Bay under first-year . However, after a challenging adjustment period marked by clashes with the demanding coach, he was waived on the second-to-last roster cutdown date in late 1959. The quickly signed him as a , providing Hawkins an opportunity to continue his professional career on a contending team. Upon joining the Colts, Hawkins made the 36-man active roster and debuted in the that season, where he contributed as a halfback and on teams.

Professional football career

Baltimore Colts

Alex Hawkins joined the in 1959 after being released by the , who had selected him in the second round (13th overall) of the . Over his initial seven-season stint with the team from 1959 to 1965, he primarily played halfback, flanker, and while excelling in teams roles, including and kick returns. Hawkins was renowned for his versatility, toughness, and leadership on coverage units, serving as teams captain under head coaches and , and occasionally contributing at linebacker, cornerback, and safety. In his year of 1959, Hawkins appeared in 12 games, recording 12 rushing attempts for 44 yards with no touchdowns and no receptions. The Colts finished 9–3 and won the Western Conference, advancing to the NFL Championship Game where they defeated the 31–16 at Memorial Stadium. His production peaked as a rusher in 1961, when he carried 86 times for 379 yards and four touchdowns—his career high—while adding 20 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown. The 1960 season was also notable, with 76 rushes for 267 yards and two touchdowns, plus 25 catches for 280 yards and three scores. By 1963–1965, his role shifted toward receiving and special teams, with limited carries but consistent returns, such as 17 punt returns in 1963. Across his 1959–1965 tenure, Hawkins accumulated 206 rushing attempts for 775 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, alongside 56 receptions for 590 yards and six receiving touchdowns—all his career rushing totals occurred during this period. He contributed to three playoff appearances: the 1959 championship win, a 1964 Western Conference title followed by a 20–0 NFL Championship loss to the , and a 1965 tiebreaker loss to the (10–3–1 record, defeated 13–10 in overtime divisional playoff). Although he earned no individual awards like selections, his special teams prowess and multi-positional utility were integral to the Colts' competitive era under Unitas-led offenses. Hawkins was traded back to the Colts from after three games in , where he played eight games, recording 27 receptions for 469 yards and four touchdowns. In his final season of 1968, he appeared in 11 games with two receptions for 31 yards and served as special teams captain during the playoffs, including the divisional round win over the Minnesota Vikings and , a 16–7 upset loss to the .

Atlanta Falcons

Alex Hawkins was selected by the in the 1966 NFL expansion draft for their inaugural 1966 season as a veteran presence, drawing on his prior experience with the , where he had contributed to the 1959 NFL championship team. At age 29, he provided leadership to the expansion franchise's young roster amid a rebuilding effort in the NFL's Eastern Conference. Primarily serving as a flanker and , Hawkins started all 12 games in , emerging as the team's leading pass-catcher with 44 receptions for 661 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 15.0 yards per catch. His standout performances included a career-high 144 receiving yards on 9 catches in a Week 2 loss to the and 104 yards in a Week 15 victory over the . He also contributed modestly on special teams with 1 kickoff return for 30 yards, while finished 3-11 overall, relying on Hawkins' reliability to support quarterbacking efforts in a transitional year. In 1967, Hawkins appeared in the Falcons' first three games, registering no recorded statistics in rushing, receiving, or returns during that limited stint, before being traded back to the Colts after the team's third game of the season. As one of the few established players on the roster, he aided in mentoring younger teammates adapting to professional football on the developing squad. Hawkins retired following the 1968 season at age 31, wrapping up a 10-year NFL career that included minimal rushing contributions during his Falcons tenure compared to his earlier work as a halfback.

Broadcasting career

Falcons radio commentary

Following his retirement from professional football after the 1968 season, Alex Hawkins transitioned directly into broadcasting, joining the Atlanta Falcons radio network as a color analyst in 1969. He partnered with play-by-play announcer Jack Hurst on WQXI-AM, providing analysis for regular-season games during the 1969 and 1970 seasons. Hawkins' commentary drew on his firsthand experience as a former Falcons running back and wide receiver from 1966 to 1968, offering insider perspectives on plays, strategies, and team dynamics that resonated with listeners familiar with his on-field contributions. Hawkins' broadcasts were known for their engaging and player-focused style, emphasizing the human elements of the game while delivering insightful breakdowns of Falcons performances. He covered key regular-season matchups, including high-profile games against rivals like the , where his knowledge of offensive schemes added depth to the coverage. His relaxed, humorous approach—often lightening the mood with anecdotes from his playing days—made the broadcasts accessible and entertaining, helping to build a stronger connection between the team and its growing fanbase during the franchise's formative years. Through his radio work, Hawkins contributed to the professionalization of media coverage, fostering fan loyalty by blending technical analysis with personal storytelling that highlighted the athleticism and challenges faced by players. His tenure as color analyst lasted two seasons.

National television work

Hawkins began his national television career in the mid-1970s as a for TVS Sports Network's Thursday night broadcasts of (WFL) games, partnering with play-by-play announcer Merle Harmon to cover the league's inaugural 1974 season and beyond. His debut telecast on July 11, 1974, featured the New York Stars versus the , with writer joining as a guest analyst. Drawing from his playing experience, Hawkins provided insights into special teams strategies, emphasizing the WFL's unique rules that favored wider-open play and aggressive kicking games. Transitioning to the NFL, Hawkins joined as a color for regular-season and playoff telecasts throughout the , often paired with various play-by-play voices and leveraging his background as a special teams captain during his final seasons with the . His national exposure built on prior Falcons radio work, where his humorous style had gained attention. One notable assignment was the 1977 on January 1, 1978, alongside , broadcasting the ' 23–6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings from . The telecast drew criticism for its pacing and commentary, including Hawkins' offhand remark describing Cowboys Staubach's scrambling as running "like a sissy," which contributed to his subsequent firing by —reportedly the third or fourth such dismissal during his tenure there. Beyond on-air analysis, Hawkins contributed to sports media through writing, authoring such as Then Came : Life After Pro (1991), a humorous reflecting on post-career challenges, and My Story and I'm Sticking to It (1989), which inspired a song by country artist . These works highlighted his distinctive voice in commentary, blending anecdotes from his playing days with observations on the sport's evolution.

Later life and death

Post-retirement activities

After concluding his broadcasting career, Hawkins relocated to , a small town near Allendale, where he resided with his wife, Charlie, enjoying a quieter life in the rural Lowcountry region. Hawkins turned to writing as a primary pursuit, penning the My Story and I'm Sticking to It, which detailed his NFL experiences and irreverent personality, and Then Came Brain Damage: Life After Pro Football, a candid account of the long-term health impacts from his playing days, including cognitive challenges. He also authored two cookbooks inspired by his personal recipes and was in the process of completing a third, showcasing his passion for developed over decades. In terms of community and alumni engagement, Hawkins stayed connected to his roots, having been inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970 and recognized as an Football Legend in 1995 for his contributions as a Gamecock standout. He participated in NFL veterans' initiatives, notably advocating alongside former players to establish the league's "88 Plan," which originally provided up to $88,000 annually for and Alzheimer's care, drawing from his own experiences with football-related brain injuries. Additionally, he attended reunions with ex-teammates, including a memorable 2004 gathering where his playful antics, such as claiming the head coach's bus seat, elicited laughter and a quip from : "Some things never change." Hawkins embraced retirement by living vibrantly, often recounting tales of his adventurous spirit, such as evading curfews during his playing days or his unwavering love for the game, remarking, "I would have played for nothing. And I would have paid the Colts for allowing me to play. I was the luckiest little boy in the entire world."

Death and legacy

Alex Hawkins died on September 12, 2017, at the age of 80 in , where he had been residing in a nursing facility near his home in . He is survived by his wife, "Charlie" Hawkins; son, Steele (Ann); daughter, ; granddaughters Alex, Mackenzie, Brooke, and Hayden; and brother, . The was natural causes, following a period of suffering from . His wife, "Charlie" Hawkins, reflected on his passing by stating, "He’s happy now." arrangements were handled by Keith Funeral and Cremation Services in Hilton Head, . A was held on October 1, 2017, at Rutledge Chapel on the campus in . In lieu of flowers, donations were suggested to the . Hawkins' legacy endures as a pioneering figure in , recognized for his versatility as an original member of the expansion team in 1966, a standout and receiver for the during two championship eras, and a beloved broadcaster whose career bridged playing and media roles. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970 for his stellar college tenure as a three-year letterwinner and Player of the Year in 1958, and later honored as an SEC Football Legend in 1995. Upon his death, tributes poured in from former teammates, coaches, and institutions, emphasizing his irreverent humor, rugged competitiveness, and positive influence. The Athletics Department expressed deep mourning, describing him as a "Gamecock great" and holding a in his honor before their next home game. Former Colts and teammate praised Hawkins as "a great special-teams player, a great locker room guy, great for morale," while noting his exceptional open-field blocking. , a former center, remembered him as "the most relaxed, fun person you’d ever want to be around," always smiling. , ex- coach, highlighted his storytelling and cheerful demeanor, calling him "a fun guy to be around." Andy Nelson, another Colts peer, remarked on his resilience: "He didn’t get much sleep, but he sure showed up on the field." Media outlets, including , celebrated his nickname "Captain Who?"—earned as the NFL's first special-teams captain under —and his off-field antics that embodied a larger-than-life personality in sports history.

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