A.J. Hawk Quotations

There are certain guys you want to hit, and some you don't. I try to take everyone's head off, to tell the truth. I'm not going to play differently regardless. I'm out there to play 100 percent every play, whoever it is. If it was my own brother, I wouldn't change my play.

We knew they'd come out with the atmosphere of the game and electricity in the air they'd come out ready to play. And we knew we had to match that. I think coming out and giving up that early touchdown hurt us a little bit.

She's rooting for her brother. She better. She's known him a lot longer than me.

Obviously we're not big defensive ends who are going to get 15 to 18 sacks a year. We're not going to be a running back who's going to rush for 1,500 yards. It's a spot where there's three or four of them on the field. I guess you can justify not taking guys too high.

I'd be happy. I think you should root for your brother. We have plenty of fans for our team.

He keeps you grounded and lets you know that regardless of what happens, don't ever get too upset about what someone says to you. If you have a bad game and someone's cutting you down, don't get down on yourself. If you have a great game, don't listen to them. Don't let your head get big because of it.

I think the linebacker position, with all the defenses they're playing, and with all the offenses you have to face - one week you're facing a spread offense and the next week a team is trying to pound the ball on you - you have to be able to do a little bit of everything.

I think you always have to be aware of where he (Young) is and not turn your back on him. Some teams play man-to-man, turn their back and all of a sudden he's gone; he gets out of the pocket and scrambles. You've got to know where he is and know he can make something out of nothing at any time.

People always try to get us in linebacker battles with the other teams. But we're trying to be the best defense in the country. We're going in as a defense and to make a statement.

I was trying to get to the ball. I play with 10 other guys who are really good.

I think most teams would want me at the inside in a 3-4, from what I've heard. Either one I'd feel comfortable with.

We get to end our career here where he played, and we have a lot of respect for him and what he did.

Yeah, but I don't think they would respect me if I just laid down and not play hard.

Its all gone pretty fast. I dont want to move on, but I know I have to.

You want to come in and prove yourself early. Obviously, it is a responsibility being drafted that high to come in and play well and to make an impact. If not, youre going to get cut. So you have to come in, make the team, have an impact and do something special. And I feel that, obviously, internally. I feel an obligation to myself to do that but obviously the organization, the fans, this community. I mean, they dont want to see a first-round draft pick be a bust, so I feel I have to come in and hopefully make an impact early.

Football is more important to me than money right now.

I try to take everyone's head off, to tell the truth.

Laura's [my sister] rooting for her brother. She'd better. She's known him a lot longer than me.

I kind of grew up my whole life as an underdog. I had two older brothers who would beat on me and then let me know I wasn't much compared to them. And it's still like that. Guys like that keep you humble, being around them every day and realizing I'm still the little brother to them.

I never felt like I was anything special. I just feel like a very lucky guy.

Everybody talked about giving Charlie Weis four weeks to prepare. That kind of upset me. What about giving coach Tress four weeks to prepare? He's four out of five in bowl games.

Each year we go into the season and our main goal is to win the Big Ten championship and the national championship. We feel like that's an attainable goal every year.

(Even) if I'd have won every award, it doesn't mean anything to these coaches (and) these players in the league.

Once your bowl game is over this is what you work for. That's why I want to come here and compete. I don't want to delay it any longer. I'm ready to get back to doing some football-type things instead of working on mainly these drills.

That's what we do every game: affect the quarterback and just be a physical defense - a defense that people like to watch.

They found some playmakers on their team. They are playing with a lot of confidence.

There was a lot of pressure on everybody, but really no extra pressure. We just needed to relax and do what our coaches have taught us.

It's tough to explain to them. Guys from out of state may have an idea of what it's about, but once you get here it's completely different. I know once I got here I realized how different it was - and I grew up an hour away from Columbus.

It's a position where a lot of times they say they don't want to draft people too high because they think 'How much impact can a linebacker have?' I guess it's understandable. Obviously we're not big defensive ends who are going to get 15 to 18 sacks a year. We're not going to be a running back who's going to rush for 1,500 yards. But all I want's a chance, regardless of where I'm taken.

That's something some of the guys on the team started, and I guess it caught on.

It's special. As a defensive guy, you don't get to score touchdowns very often. It's a great way to go out. It gives us great momentum going into next week.

I told all of the coaches here that we had two of the most physical safeties in the country playing behind me. I knew if I didn't make the tackle they were probably going to hit me on their way to make the tackle. So I had to get there first before them.

They completed a lot of balls. But when we needed to make plays, we did.

Anytime you get the quarterback, it feels good.

I really haven't given it too much thought. Any team that wants me, I'll gladly go. Especially a team like Green Bay, with the tradition they have, the fans they have, it would be unbelievable.

He's unbelievably fast. Seeing him, it's something else.

He's one of the best run-stoppers I've ever seen. He's a missile to the ball.

You can't even mention us in the same breath as him, (but) it's a good story. I didn't think about it much until we came out here. But playing on the field he played on is a great honor.