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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Standing Out
Central Arkansas, AR
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By: Nate Olson
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Photo(s) By: Photo courtesy of UA Sports Information
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‘Danimal’ makes mark on successful, quirky Bears teams
Dan Hampton’s star shone bright on Chicago Bears teams filled with great players and classic characters.
“We didn’t have any jealously,” said Hampton, who earned the nickname ‘Danimal’, “It was a perfect storm.”
For 12 seasons Hampton shared the spotlight with future Hall of Famers — running back Walter Payton and linebacker Mike Singletary, and managed to make headlines despite the quirkiness of quarterback Jim McMahon and fellow defensive lineman William “The Refrigerator” Perry. The Bears won Super Bowl XX 46-10, finishing the 1985 season 15-1.
“I usually see John Madden (NBC Broadcaster and former Oakland Raider coach), and he shakes my hand and says, ‘The best team I ever saw,’” Hampton said. “When the burning bush of pro football says that, it’s a high compliment.”
Hampton racked up 82 sacks in 157 games, earning Pro Bowl honors four times (1980, 1982, 1984, 1985). He made six All-Pro teams (1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988), and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. Hampton won the George S. Halas Courage Award his final season in 1990. Hampton was enshrined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
“If somebody had come to my mother’s house 35 years ago and told me all of the things that would happen, I would have thought it was a fairy tale,” Hampton said.
After 12 knee surgeries and numerous other nagging injuries, Hampton retired after the 1990 season. He split his time between Jacksonville, Arkansas and Chicago but now lives full-time in Chicago with his wife of eight years, Gina, and 13-year-old daughter, Dakota, and five-year-old son, Dan Jr.
Hampton hosts the pre-game and post-game radio show for the Bears and owns a drug-testing company and a security business in the Chicagoland area.
“My heart is in Arkansas,” Hampton said. “After 9/11, it was hard to go back and forth. I get to Arkansas every couple of months to play golf and visit my mother (Joan).”
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