South Carolina Football: Ranking the top-20 NFL Gamecocks of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 18 Greatest NFL Player of All-Time:
Running Back/Wide Receiver Alex Hawkins
The ACC’s Player of the Year in his final year as a Gamecock, Alex Hawkins (1956-1958) was a versatile weapon who played receiver and running back in his time in the NFL. During his decade-long career, Hawkins won two NFL Championships (pre-Super Bowl era) in his first season and last season in the League, both with the Baltimore Colts.
Hawkins is considered one of the best special teams players of all-time, excelling both as a return man and as a coverage player. He was a captain for the Colts and was the first special teams captain in the history of the NFL.
On offense, Hawkins logged 22 touchdowns in his career, 10 rushing and 12 receiving. Despite his small size, he was known as a good blocker in the run game, something he picked up in college playing in South Carolina’s option attack.
After his playing days ended, Hawkins was broadcaster with CBS for most of the 1970s.