Hog legend Dan Hampton to enter NFF College football Hall of Fame
It’s been 45 years since Dan Hampton departed Arkansas for an NFL Hall of Fame career, but the accolades keep coming in for the Jacksonville product.
It was announced Monday that the 66-year-old Hampton, affectionately known as “Danimal,” is slated to become the 21st Razorback to be inducted the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
Hampton spent four years as a defensive tackle for the Razorbacks, from 1975-78, playing for a pair of legendary coaches. He played the final two season’s of Coach Frank Broyles’ career, then wrapped up his final two seasons under Coach Lou Holtz. Arkansas went 35-10-2 record during Hampton’s career, including a mark of 22-8-1 in the Southwest Conference.
Hampton amassed 239 tackles – 126 unassisted – as a Razorback, including 32 from behind the line of scrimmage and six fumble recoveries. As a senior in 1978, he totaled 98 tackles, including 18 behind the line of scrimmage, while being named SWC Defensive Player of the Year and earning first-team All-SWC honors.
He was also named an AFCA First-Team All-American that season, leading Arkansas to a No. 3 finish in the national polls, following the 31-6 rout of heavily favored No. 2 Oklahoma.
In 1991, Hampton was elected to the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor and a year later, was voted to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. He was selected to the Razorbacks’ All-Century team in 1994 and was later named one of the state’s Top 50 greatest athletes of the 20th century.
After being the No. 4 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft by Chicago, Hampton spent 12 seasons with the Bears, and is one of only two players to play for the franchise in three different decades. He was also one of the cornerstones of the famous 1985 Bears defense that cruised to a 46-10 victory over New England in Super Bowl XX. That vaunted “46 Defense” allowed just 198 points all season, and recorded shutouts in both NFC playoff games.
Razorbacks in the NFF College Football Hall of Fame:
2024 – Dan Hampton (DL)
2019 – Darren McFadden (RB)
2017 – Danny Ford (HC)
2012 – Jimmy Johnson (DL/AC)
2010 – Ronnie Caveness (LB)
2008 – Lou Holtz (HC)
2004 – Wayne Harris (LB)
2004 – Tracy Rocker (AC)
2003 – Doug Dickey (AC)
2003 – Hayden Fry (AC)
2001 – Barry Switzer (AC)
2000 – Billy Ray Smith Jr. (LB)
1999 – Chuck Dicus (WR)
1997 – Bowden Wyatt (HC)
1992 – Loyd Phillips (DL)
1987 – Johnny Majors (AC)
1984 – Lance Alworth (WR)
1983 – Frank Broyles (HC)
1971 – Clyde Scott (RB/DB)
1967 – Wear Schoonover (WR)
1954 – Hugo Bezdek (HC)
Dan Hampton makes a tackle during the 1978 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
Jan 26, 1986; New Orleans, LA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears defensive tackle (99) Dan Hampton pressures New England Patriots quarterback (11) Tony Eason during Super Bowl XX at the Superdome. The Bears dominated the Patriots 46-10 giving the Bears their first ever Super Bowl victory. The Chicago defense had 7 sacks and limited the Patriots to a record-low seven rushing yards. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
