Ben Hawkins

Benjamin Charles Hawkins (March 22, 1944 – October 9, 2017), nicknamed "the Hawk", was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1966 to 1973. He later played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League (WFL). Hawkins led the NFL in receiving yards while with the Eagles in 1967. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected in the third round of the 1966 NFL draft by the Eagles. Hawkins was also selected in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL draft by the New York Jets but opted to play in the NFL instead.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Hawkins attended Weequahic High School before moving to nearby Nutley and transferring to Nutley High School. He had two children.

Hawkins died on October 9, 2017, at age 73.

NFL career statistics Legend Led the league Bold Career high

Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1966 PHI 14 12 14 143 10.2 23 0 1967 PHI 14 14 59 1,265 21.4 87 10 1968 PHI 14 14 42 707 16.8 92 5 1969 PHI 14 14 43 761 17.7 58 8 1970 PHI 14 9 30 612 20.4 78 4 1971 PHI 14 12 37 650 17.6 65 4 1972 PHI 14 14 30 512 17.1 67 1 1973 PHI 4 4 6 114 19.0 37 0 1974 CLE 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 Career 104 93 261 4,764 18.3 92 32