PRO: Ken Hamlin is an experienced performer in the secondary who is adept at calling the defensive signals and getting the defensive backs properly aligned before the snap. After arriving in Dallas via free agency leading up to the 2007 season, Hamlin logged his first 100-tackle season and finished second on the defense with five interceptions to earn his first career Pro Bowl selection. Hamlin has started 84 of the 86 regular season games he has played in four-and-a-half years as an NFL starting safety, and, entering the 2009 season, is just nine tackles shy of 500 for his career.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
7/15/08: Signed a six-year contract with Dallas.
2/21/08: Designated the franchise player.
3/23/07: Signed with Dallas as an unrestricted free agent.
11/1/05: Placed on the reserve/non-football injury list.
4/26/03: Drafted in the second round (42nd overall) by Seattle.
2008:
Was elected as one of the defensive team captains for the season and finished fourth on the team - tops in the secondary - with 92 tackles to go along with three pass breakups, one interception, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Led the secondary with six tackles as the defense limited Cleveland (9/7) to just 205 yards.
Tied for second on the team with seven tackles, including a season-best six solos against Philadelphia (9/15).
Had seven tackles as the defense held its opponent to less than 100 rushing yards for the third straight week at Green Bay (9/21).
Had a secondary-high six tackles against Washington (9/28) followed by five stops and a pass deflection against Cincinnati (10/5).
Picked off his first pass of the season along with seven tackles at Arizona (10/12).
Had the first two quarterback pressures of his career to go with five tackles against Tampa Bay (10/26).
Led the team with eight tackles and had his only sack of the season in which he forced a fumble against San Francisco (11/23).
Notched six tackles and a fumble recovery at Pittsburgh (12/7).
Tied for the team lead with a season-high nine tackles against the N.Y. Giants (12/14).
2007:
Earned his first Pro Bowl selection, being named a starter for the NFC Pro Bowl squad and was one-of-13 Cowboys selected - setting a team and NFL record.
Started all 16 games at free safety recording 102 tackles (third on the team) - his first career 100-tackle season - five interceptions (second on the team and tied for ninth in the league) and a single-season career-best 14 pass breakups.
Made his Cowboys debut against the N.Y. Giants (9/9) recording nine tackles and one pass breakup.
Had his first interception of the season at Miami (9/16) to setup a Dallas score and added seven tackles.
Ended a scoring threat against St. Louis (9/30) by intercepting Marc Bulger in the end zone and added seven stops.
Led the team with a career-high 13 tackles with one pass deflection against New England (10/14).
Had his third pick of the year at Philadelphia (11/4) that led to a Dallas touchdown while also adding two tackles and a pass defensed.
Recorded back-to-back games with an interception for the second time in his career at the N.Y. Giants (11/11) and posted eight tackles and two pass breakups.
First career tackle for a loss against the N.Y. Jets (11/22) along with five tackles and a pass breakup.
Established a single-season career-high with his fifth interception of the season against Green Bay (11/29) that led to a Dallas touchdown and 13-3 lead.
2006 (Seattle):
Started 16 games and finished second on the Seahawks with 96 tackles while also adding three interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and one forced fumble, helping the Seahawks go 9-7 and win the NFC West.
Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September.
Recorded eight tackles against Arizona (9/17) and logged his first sack of the year, forcing a Kurt Warner fumble on the play.
Helped the Seahawks jump to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter over the N.Y. Giants (9/24), when he tied a career-high with two interceptions, both of which led to touchdowns.
Led the team with seven solo tackles and posted his second sack of the season - and the fourth of his career - at St. Louis (10/15).
Tied a then career-best with a team-high 11 tackles at Kansas City (10/29).
Recorded his third interception of the season - eighth of his career - along with five tackles at St. Louis (11/12).
Led the team with a then career-best 12 tackles for the third time in the season at San Francisco (11/19).
At Denver (12/3), led the team in tackles for the fourth time, recording seven.
Had four tackles in the Seahawks wild card win over Dallas (1/6/07).
In the Divisional Playoff loss at Chicago (1/14/07), recorded a postseason career-high five tackles.
2005 (Seattle):
Started the first six games of the season before suffering off-field head injuries, and recorded 26 tackles.
Was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list Nov. 1 and missed the rest of the season.
2004 (Seattle):
Started 16 regular season games for Seattle and finished third on the team with 79 tackles.
Was fourth on the team with a career-high four interceptions, which ranked 10th in the NFC.
In a 34-0 win over San Francisco (9/26), helped preserve the shutout with a fourth-quarter interception in the end zone to mark the 49ers first shutout loss in 421 games.
Recorded his first two-interception game with five tackles at Buffalo (11/28).
Posted a then career-high 10 tackles along with his first career sack, three passes defensed, and a forced fumble in a 24-21 win over Arizona (12/26).
Notched his second career sack against Atlanta (1/2/05).
Had his first career postseason interception in the Seahawks playoff loss to St. Louis (1/8/06).
2003 (Seattle):
Started 14-of-16 games making Pro Football Weekly's All-Rookie Team.
Finished second on team with 96 tackles and was third on the team with 10 passes defensed, while also adding two special teams tackles.
In his first career start against New Orleans (9/7), recorded five tackles and garnered national attention after knocking off Donte' Stallworth's helmet on a hit over the middle.
Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors at Arizona (9/14), when he finished second on the team with eight tackles and contributed to four of the team's six takeaways. On the first play of the game, he forced a fumble that set up Seattle's first score before deflecting a pass that was intercepted by Reggie Tongue on the next series. On the next possession, he hit Anquan Boldin, forcing the ball in the air so it could be intercepted by Chad Brown and late in the fourth quarter, he intercepted his first career pass, deep in Seahawks territory, to preserve the shutout.
Had a season-high 11 tackles in a loss at Green Bay (10/5).
Did not start the team's playoff game at Green Bay (1/4/04) but played at safety and on special teams.
COLLEGE:
Entered the NFL after his junior season at Arkansas where he was considered the Razorbacks best defensive back since Steve Atwater (1985-88).
Played in 36 games finishing with 381 tackles (221 solo), breaking the school record of 367 tackles by Cliff Powell (1967-69). Also forced eight fumbles, recovered five fumbles, deflected 28 passes, and intercepted nine.
Nominated in 2002 for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the best defensive player in the nation.
Became the first player in school history to record more than 100 tackles in a season three times.
Named a first-team All-America by The NFL Draft Report and The Sporting News and nominated for the Jim Thorpe Award after his junior season.
Posted a career-high 22 tackles against Troy State - only Powell (24) and Ronnie Caveness (23) had more tackles in a game for the Razorbacks.
Named a second-team All-America by The NFL Draft Report and also made first-team All-Southeastern Conference as a sophomore.
As a freshman, he was named an All-America by The Sporting News and Football News and also named to the SEC Coaches Freshman All-SEC team.
Became the first freshman and only the second defensive back to lead Arkansas in tackles, posting 104 tackles (57 solo).
PERSONAL:
Ken Hamlin attended Fraysay High School in Memphis, Tenn.
Was the Class 3A Player of the Year as a senior in 1999, when he gained 2,327 all-purpose yards and rushed for 1,276 yards and 16 touchdowns and added 380 receiving yards. He also recorded 136 tackles (96 solo) and eight interceptions as a safety.
Also lettered in track and baseball.
Member of the school's National Honor Society and the senior class vice president.
Majored in business education at Arkansas.
COMMUNITY:
Annual team Holiday Hospital Visits.
Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
Dallas Cowboys Annual Kickoff Luncheon and Cowboys Family Cookbook benefiting Happy Hill Farm.
2008 Dallas Cowboys Early Thanksgiving Day Meal at the Salvation Army.
2008 Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog Charity Event at Texas Stadium.
2008 Dallas Cowboys Youth Fitness Zone Dedication Event at the Salvation Army
Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas
2009 Dallas Cowboys Draft Day and Fan Appreciation Party.
