Ben Hartsock
refer to caption
Hartsock in 2009
No. 84, 89, 88, 80, 47
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1980-07-05) July 5, 1980 (age 43)
Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Unioto (Chillicothe)
College:Ohio State
NFL draft:2004 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:31
Receiving yards:312
Receiving TDs:1
Player stats at NFL.com

Benjamin Richard Hartsock (born July 5, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a tight-end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Hartsock also played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers during his NFL career. Since retiring he has worked as a color analyst for pro and college football on Fox Sports Radio and ESPN Radio.

Early years

Hartsock attended Unioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he caught 86 passes for 1562 yards (18.16 yards reception). He also played running back, placekicker, and linebacker. Hartsock recorded 61 tackles, and 19 quarterback sacks during his senior season, after switching from linebacker to defensive end. Hartsock was a three-year captain and four-year letter winner. Hartsock committed to play at Ohio State University during his senior year of high school.

College career

Hartsock attended the Ohio State University, where he played tight end. He was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree and won CoSIDA Academic All-American honors as a junior.

During his college career, Hartsock started 31 of 51 games played and had 58 receptions for 519 yards (8.9 yards per reception). Hartsock recorded 33 catches for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns) in his senior year. As a junior, he was a contributor for the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team, which that defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl, winning the BCS National Championship.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Hartsock was drafted in the third round with the 68th overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.[1] He was a reserve tight end in his time with the Colts, playing behind Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark.

Tennessee Titans

In 2006, Hartsock signed with the Colts' division rival, the Tennessee Titans. He started 12 games, compiling 206 yards receiving in two years at tight end for Tennessee. The Titans lost Hartsock to unrestricted free agency in March 2008.[2]

Atlanta Falcons

On March 2, 2008, the Atlanta Falcons came to an agreement with Hartsock.[3][4] He was released on September 1, 2009.[5]

New York Jets

Hartsock was signed by the New York Jets on September 2, 2009 to a one-year $1.2 million contract.[6] Hartsock recorded his first career touchdown on a two-yard pass from Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez against his former team, the Tennessee Titans, in September 2009.[7]

Hartsock was re-signed by the team to a two-year contract in March 2010.[8] On March 2, 2011, Hartsock was released by the Jets after spending the past two seasons with the team primarily as a blocker.[9]

Carolina Panthers

Hartsock signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on July 27, 2011.[10]

New England Patriots

On August 10, 2014, Hartsock was signed by the New England Patriots.[11] He was released just four days later, on August 14.[12]

Personal life

Hartsock is a Christian.[13] He married his high school sweetheart, Amy Lykowski, in 2003, and they have two daughters, Whitney and Lindsey.

References

  1. ^ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "Titans agree to terms with Blakley". The City Paper. SouthComm Inc. March 18, 2008. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  3. ^ "Atlanta Falcons Reach Contract Agreement With Ben Hartsock". WJBF-TV. March 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  4. ^ "Source: Turner to get approximately $15M guaranteed from Falcons". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  5. ^ Ledbetter, D. Orlando (September 1, 2009). "Falcons release three players". AJC.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  6. ^ Hutchinson, Dave (September 2, 2009). "NY Jets sign tight end Ben Hartsock". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  7. ^ Hutchinson, Dave (September 29, 2009). "For NY Jets blocking tight end Ben Hartsock, a long awaited trip to the end zone". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  8. ^ Wilson, Aaron (March 8, 2010). "Source: Ben Hartsock re-signs with Jets". National Football Post. Archived from the original on May 12, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  9. ^ Cimini, Rich (March 2, 2011). "Jets cut Vernon Gholston, Ben Hartsock". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 6, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  10. ^ Richards, Scott (July 28, 2011). "Ben Hartsock signs with Carolina Panthers". Chillicothe Gazette. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  11. ^ Wesseling, Chris (August 10, 2014). "Ben Hartsock, Steve Maneri signed by Patriots". NFL.com. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  12. ^ Sessler, Marc. "Ben Hartsock released by New England Patriots". NFL.com. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  13. ^ Romano, Jason. "SS PODCAST: Former NFL tight end Ben Hartsock on CFB traditions, identity in Christ". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved September 4, 2023.

External links

2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football—consensus national champions
Indianapolis Colts 2004 NFL draft selections
Categories