Andrew Hawkins during the offseason, and signed with the defending champions a week later.
Now, he's graduating from professional football.
Hawkins that he is retiring from the NFL after six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Hawkins is ending his career before camp with the New England Patriots begins, citing his not feeling physically ready for training camp at 31 years old.
Hawkins with the knowledge that he'd face a great battle to earn a roster spot with the LI champions, saying he was joining the Patriots for the best chance to win.
Hawkins, a product of Toledo, began his professional career in the Canadian Football League, where he played two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes before jumping to the NFL by way of an offseason spent with the Rams. He later made his way onto the Bengals' active roster, where he remained from 2011-2013, catching 86 passes for 995 yards and four touchdowns in 35 games played.
Hawkins' is in sports management, and his goal is to become a general manager in the NFL. With his cleats now on the shelf, a suit awaits the aspiring future executive.
