{{Short description|American football player (born 1981)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | image = <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see WP:NONFREE --> | name = Joey Hawkins | number = 46<ref name="Pfa"/> | position = Tight end | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|12|16}} | birth_place = Gilmer, Texas, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 9 | weight_lbs = 252 | college = Southeast Missouri State (2000)<br>Texas Tech (2001–2004) | undraftedyear = 2005 | pastteams = * Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2005|2006}})* * → Rhein Fire (2006) }} '''Charles Joseph Hawkins''' (born December 16, 1981) is an American former football tight end for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.<ref name="Pfa">{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/hawk01160.html | title=JOEY HAWKINS | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=13 June 2025}}</ref> Standing {{convert|6|ft|9|in|m}} tall, he was one of the tallest players in Colts history.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=August 27, 2005 |title=Colts camp 2005 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/174462402/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A multi-sport athlete, he played both college football and basketball at Texas Tech, and played baseball as well as his third sport at Colleyville Heritage High School.<ref name=":0" />
== Early life == Hawkins went to Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas, where played varsity football, basketball, and baseball.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanders |first=Nathan |date=January 11, 2000 |title=Caught Off Guard – Rash of injuries, illnesses foil C. Heritage boys team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-basketball/174944493/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> He was a tight end on the Panthers football team.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Terrin |first=Rick |date=August 17, 2001 |title=When did legal action replace working harder? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-when-did-legal/174945766/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In baseball, he was a pitcher.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mauch |first=Rick |date=June 30, 1999 |title=Hard luck Panthers tie Grapevine JV |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-panthers-from/174945052/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In basketball, Hawkins was drafted to the all-district first team and averaged a double-double.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 5, 2005 |title=Undefeated Aggies might get a wake-up call today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-undefeated-agg/174945438/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=Austin-American Statesman |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> During his senior year, Colleville Heritage made it its first-ever playoffs.<ref name=":0" /> In 1999–2000, he averaged 9.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocked shots per game.<ref name=":0" />
== College career == Hawkins played college football and basketball at Texas Tech.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Troy |date=January 15, 2005 |title=Heritage ex gives Knight a hand |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/174462183/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He walked on to the football team at Texas Tech University in 2001, after transferring from Southeast Missouri State.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />
As a football tight end who mainly blocked, Hawkins had 17 career catches for 214 yards.<ref name=":0" /> His final college football game was the 2004 Holiday Bowl on December 30, when Texas Tech defeated the No. 4-ranked California Golden Bears, 45–31.<ref name=":0" />
On December 31, 2004, Hawkins joined the Red Raiders basketball team for the first time after he was no longer eligible to play football.<ref name=":0" /> He was the fifth football player to play basketball under coach Bob Knight, who had been looking to strengthen the Raiders' inside defense.<ref name=":0" /> Hawkins scored 11 points in 15 appearances.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Chappell |first=Mike |date=April 30, 2005 |title=Colts' rookies learn new tricks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/174462684/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
== Professional career == In April 2005, Hawkins was scouted and signed as an undrafted player with the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL, after basketball coach Knight recommended him.<ref name=":3" /> At the time, he was one of the two tallest players in the history of the Colts, along with teammate Jim Newton who was also 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m).<ref name=":2" /> In 2006, he was re-signed to the Colts practice squad.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chappell |first=Mike |date=September 22, 2006 |title=2005 blowup is all forgotten, Leftwich and Colts insist |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/174462230/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawkins, Joey}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:American football tight ends Category:Sportspeople from Gilmer, Texas Category:Texas Tech Red Raiders football players Category:Indianapolis Colts players Category:Southeast Missouri State Redhawks football players Category:Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball players Category:American men's basketball players Category:Rhein Fire players Category:Players of American football from Upshur County, Texas Category:Forwards (basketball) Category:Basketball players from Texas Category:Colleyville Heritage High School alumni