Joseph Robert Hawley (born October 22, 1988) is a former

center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...

who played for the

Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...

and the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...

of the

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(NFL). He was selected by the Falcons with the 117th pick in the fourth round of the

2010 NFL draft The 2010 NFL draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The 2010 NFL draft, draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first ...

Early life

Hawley attended

Esperanza High School Esperanza High School (EHS) is a public high school located in Anaheim, California and is part of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. It is a California Distinguished School and is home to various California Interscholastic Feder ...

in Anaheim, California. He began playing football as a freshman, and in his senior year, was named MVP and Male Athlete of the Year. He was a three-year letter winner and received Prep Star All West Region Honors. He was regarded as a three-star recruit. Hawley recorded a school record 48 decleats as the Aztecs racked up an astounding 5,535 yards rushing, 7th most in California history, en route to the Division 1 CIF Championship game in 2005. He played in the Cali-Florida Bowl and the Orange County and LA Shriners All-Star games in 2006. Joe was Sunset League Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2004 and 2005; All-State Underclass, CalHiSports in 2004; All-State, First-team, CalHiSports in 2005; LA Times All-Star, First-team, in 2004 and 2005; All-Orange County, First-team, OC Register in 2004 and 2005; All-CIF Southern Section, All Divisions, First-team in 2005; and, All-CIF Southern Section, Division 1, First-team in 2004 and 2005.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Hawley was selected in the fourth round of the

by the

. On September 7, 2015, he was released by the Falcons.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On September 14, 2015, Hawley was signed by the

. On March 15, 2017, Hawley signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers. During 2017, the team moved

Ali Marpet Alexander "Ali" Marpet (; born April 17, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a guard for seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Marpet played college football for the ...

to center from his original guard position, replacing Hawley. On February 26, 2018, the Buccaneers declined the second-year option on Hawley's contract, making him a free agent in 2018.

Retirement

Hawley spent eight years in the NFL and retired after becoming a free agent in 2018 to pursue a passion project. He donated most of his belongings to Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa Bay and planned to live out of a custom 2007

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E-350 diesel cargo van as he explores the country with his rescue dog named Freedom. He departed the

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area on April 5, 2018 to document his journey on

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, and

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using the handle "ManVanDogBlog".

References

External links

UNLV Rebels bioJoe Hawley's Instagram blogJoe Hawley's YouTube channel
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cipher, Bill 1988 births Living people American football centers American football offensive guards UNLV Rebels football players Atlanta Falcons players Salve Regina University alumni