| Number | 39 |
|---|---|
| Position | Safety |
| Birth date | November 29, 1962 (age 63) |
| Birth place | Jamaica, New York, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Height in | 0 |
| Weight lb | 190 |
| High school | Nanticoke (PA) Fine |
| College | Penn State |
| Draftyear | 1984 |
| Draftround | 7 |
| Draftpick | 176 |
| Pastteams | |
| Highlights |
|
| Statlabel 1 | Interceptions |
| Statvalue 1 | 23 |
| Statlabel 2 | Fumble recoveries |
| Statvalue 2 | 10 |
| Statlabel 3 | Sacks |
| Statvalue 3 | 1.0 |
| Pfr | H/HamiHa20 |
Harry Edwin Hamilton (born November 29, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). Hamilton was the first Black African-American to graduate from John S. Fine High School, Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.[1] He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Early life
His father Stan Hamilton was a civil rights activist in New York in the 1960s and a writer of Sesame Street. In 1972, the family moved to a horse farm owned by Stan Hamilton and his father-in-law, after a flood damaged their house in Wilkes-Barre. They were the only black people in the area and Hamilton suffered abuse at school, being called racial slurs and seeing a burning cross on a bonfire during a football pep rally. He set several track records at school and proved to be an adept Western-style horse rider and football player. After graduating, the family moved back to Wilkes-Barre.[1]
Football career
Having graduated with honors, he was recruited by a number of colleges for his excellence in academics and athletics before selecting Penn State. During his collegiate career, he was an Academic All-American safety at Penn State University following the 1982 National Championship season and 1983 seasons.[1] After which, he played eight seasons as a safety in the National Football League with the New York Jets[2] and Tampa Bay Buccaneers[3] before retiring in 1993.
Post-football career
During his professional football career, Hamilton attended law school and immediately put his Juris Doctor degree to work for legal services in Tampa, Florida before embarking on a career in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.[citation needed]
In March 2018, Hamilton was charged with a number of offenses including burglary, criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor count of simple assault and two summary offenses of harassment after he confronted his son about drug abuse. He was also accused of forcing his way into his ex-wife's home and assaulting his son.[4] Hamilton was arraigned and released on $25,000 unsecured bail.[2]
References
- ^ Donovan, Dan (21 September 1983). "Hamilton fits mold of hero". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Pallotto, Bret. "Local football legend Harry Hamilton accused of attacking his son". Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Beauge, John (26 June 2018). "Ex-Nittany Lion's charges to remain in Centre County". pennlive. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ Sokolski, Paul (31 March 2018). "Ex-Penn State star Hamilton accused of assaulting son, blasts authorities". Times Leader. Retrieved 5 October 2021.