Merton Hanks

Last updated

Merton Hanks
No. 36
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1968-03-12) March 12, 1968 (age 56)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:181 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school: Lake Highlands (Dallas)
College: Iowa
NFL draft: 1991  / Round: 5 / Pick: 122
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:501
Interceptions:33
INT yards:410
Touchdowns:3
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Merton Edward Hanks (born March 12, 1968) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1990s, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. [1] He was a five-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection with the 49ers, winning a Super Bowl (XXIX) with the team.

Contents

Hanks played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning All-American honors in 1990. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the 49ers and one with the Seattle Seahawks. He is currently a senior associate commissioner for the Pac-12. [2]

College career

Hanks attended Lake Highlands High School, where he was a district track-and-field champion. He attended the University of Iowa, earning all-Big Ten honors at cornerback. However, at the NFL scouting combine, his 40-yard dash times were very slow, and he was not drafted until the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers. [3]

Professional career

Despite his low selection, Hanks was selected to four Pro Bowl and three All-Pro teams. He was well-known for his interceptions and returns, as well as his unique "chicken dance" celebrations that were later emulated by basketball star Shaquille O'Neal. [4] [5] He was a member of the 1994 San Francisco team that won Super Bowl XXIX. Hanks finished his career with the Seattle Seahawks, retiring in 1999.

Executive career

Hanks was previously the assistant director of operations for the National Football League, and then the league's vice president of operations in charge of player conduct. [6] Hanks began his tenure as Conference USA senior associate commissioner in July 2016, a position in which he was responsible for the conference’s football and baseball operations, including officiating, scheduling, game operations, player conduct and safety. [7] On September 8, 2020, Hanks became the senior associate commissioner, football operations for the Pac-12 conference.

Hanks regularly embarks on speaking tours. [8]


NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFRYdsTD
1991 SF 13837——0.0000.0001200
1992 SF 16564——0.0252.5400000
1993 SF 161467——0.0310434.76710100
1994 SF 1616726570.579313.33800200
1995 SF 1616635490.05316.223002691
1996 SF 1616635490.0471.8801000
1997 SF 16166050100.0610317.255102381
1998 SF 1616484260.54379.33701100
1999 SEA 121221572.023015.02310000
Career137108496280483.03341012.46734101072

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Carroll</span> American football coach (born 1951)

Peter Clay Carroll is an American football executive and former coach who is an advisor for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was previously the head football coach at the University of Southern California (USC) from 2001 to 2009 and the head coach of the Seahawks from 2010 to 2023. Carroll is the third and most recent head coach to win a college football national championship and a Super Bowl along with Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Longwell</span> American football player (born 1974)

Ryan Walker Longwell is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise. He then played for the Green Bay Packers from 1997 to 2005. He played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2006 to 2011. He also played briefly for the Seattle Seahawks during the 2012 playoffs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Gallery</span> American football player (born 1980)

Robert J. Gallery is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard who played for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Iowa and received unanimous All-American recognition. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders second overall in the 2004 NFL draft in the National Football League (NFL). He also played for the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julian Peterson</span> American football player (born 1978)

Julian Thomas Peterson is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. Peterson was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Watters</span> American football player (born 1969)

Richard James Watters is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Watters played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he played wide receiver on the school's 1988 national champion team. He also won Super Bowl XXIX as a member of the 1994 49ers over the San Diego Chargers. Watters was known throughout his playing career for his outstanding receiving skills and his unique high-step running style, which earned him the nickname Ricky "Running" Watters, from ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Norton Jr.</span> American football player and coach (born 1966)

Kenneth Howard Norton Jr. is an American football coach and former player who is the linebackers coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. Norton won three Super Bowls during his playing career with the Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers and became coach in 2004, later serving as a defensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. He is the son of former world champion heavyweight boxer Ken Norton.

Timothy McDonald is an American former football safety who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). McDonald played college football for the USC Trojans, and was honored as a two-time All-American and two-time team most valuable player (MVP). A second-round pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, he played for the St. Louis / Phoenix Cardinals (1987–1992) and the San Francisco 49ers (1993–1999). Upon the conclusion of his playing career, McDonald entered coaching, most recently serving as the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Baker</span> American football player (born 1978)

Jason Michael Baker is an American former professional football player who was a punter in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Iowa. He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Ulbrich</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Jeffery Wade Ulbrich is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hawaii and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round in the 2000 NFL Draft and played for the 49ers from 2000 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 Pro Bowl</span> National Football League all-star game

The 1998 Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 1997 season. The game was played on February 1, 1998, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final score was AFC 29, NFC 24. Warren Moon of the Seattle Seahawks, invited to participate because of an injury to John Elway, was the game's MVP. The referee was Gary Lane. The halftime show was Montell Jordan.

Dwaine P. Board is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a defensive end, primarily for the San Francisco 49ers from 1979 to 1988. He was later a defensive line coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshal Yanda</span> American football player (born 1984)

Marshal John Yanda is an American former football guard who played for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by Baltimore in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 San Francisco 49ers season</span> NFL team season (won 5th Super Bowl)

The 1994 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 45th in the National Football League (NFL), their 49th overall, and their sixth under head coach George Seifert. This season was highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XXIX. The championship made San Francisco the first team to win five Super Bowls. After losing to the Dallas Cowboys in the previous two conference championship games, the 49ers made significant acquisitions in the 1994 free agent market. This included the signing of two-sport star Deion Sanders and Cowboys linebacker Ken Norton, Jr. Sanders had a major impact on the team's success, winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and recording six interceptions. The 49ers won their division, the NFC West, for the eighth time in nine seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NaVorro Bowman</span> American football player (born 1988)

NaVorro Roderick Bowman is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently the linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. Bowman was also a member of the Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Sherman (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Richard Kevin Sherman is an American former football cornerback who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Sherman played college football for the Stanford Cardinal, beginning his career as a wide receiver before moving to cornerback as a junior. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times and voted All-Pro five times, including three times to the first team, and led the NFL in interceptions in 2013, when he also helped the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl. Sherman is regarded as one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeForest Buckner</span> American football player (born 1994)

DeForest George Buckner is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. With the 49ers, Buckner made a Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2019. With the Colts, he was selected to the first-team All Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Beathard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Casey Jarrett Beathard is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa and was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Blythe</span> American football player (born 1992)

Austin Blythe is a former American football center who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, and Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Kittle</span> American football player (born 1993)

George Krieger Kittle is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He is a five-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro in 2019 and 2023.

Brian Schneider is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the special teams coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

References

  1. ↑ "Merton Hanks". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Pac-12 tabs ex-NFL star Hanks to run football ops". ESPN.com. August 20, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  4. ↑ Gwen Knapp (December 21, 1997). "Dances with Hanks". sfgate.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  5. ↑ "While the spotlight shines mostly on Kobe and Shaq, it's - 12.01.97 - SI Vault". October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  6. ↑ Smith, Michael David (October 19, 2013). "Merton Hanks: I fined Ndamukong Suh to get his attention". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Conference USA - Staff Directory". conferenceusa.com. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Hawkeye Sports News: Where are they now? Merton Hanks". July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2021.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.