 Hartsock with theNew York Jets in 2009 | |||||||||
| No. 80, 47, 88, 89, 84 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Tight end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | (1980-07-05)July 5, 1980 (age 45) 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: 3rd round, 68th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Benjamin Richard Hartsock (born July 5, 1980) is an American former professionalfootball player who was atight end in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theOhio State Buckeyes and was selected by theIndianapolis Colts in the third round of the2004 NFL draft.
Hartsock also played in the NFL for theTennessee Titans,Atlanta Falcons,New York Jets, andCarolina Panthers during his NFL career. Since retiring he has worked as acolor analyst for pro and college football onFox Sports Radio andESPN Radio.
Hartsock attendedUnioto High School inChillicothe, Ohio, where he caught 86 passes for 1562 yards (18.16 yards reception). He also playedrunning back,placekicker, andlinebacker. Hartsock recorded 61tackles, and 19quarterback 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 atOhio State University during his senior year of high school.
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 the2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team, which that defeated theMiami Hurricanes in theFiesta Bowl, winning theBCS National Championship.
Hartsock was selected in the third round with the 68th overall pick of the2004 NFL draft by theIndianapolis Colts.[1] He was a reserve tight end in his time with the Colts, playing behindMarcus Pollard andDallas Clark.
In 2006, Hartsock signed with the Colts' division rival, theTennessee Titans. He started 12 games, compiling 206 yards receiving in two years at tight end for Tennessee.[2] The Titans lost Hartsock to unrestricted free agency in March 2008.[3]
On March 2, 2008, theAtlanta Falcons came to an agreement with Hartsock.[4][5] He was released on September 1, 2009.[6]
Hartsock was signed by theNew York Jets on September 2, 2009, to a one-year $1.2 million contract.[7] Hartsock recorded his first career touchdown on a two-yard pass from Jets quarterbackMark Sanchez against his former team, the Tennessee Titans, in September 2009.[8]
Hartsock was re-signed by the team to a two-year contract in March 2010.[9] On March 2, 2011, Hartsock was released by the Jets after spending the past two seasons with the team primarily as a blocker.[10]
Hartsock signed a two-year contract with theCarolina Panthers on July 27, 2011.[11]
On August 10, 2014, Hartsock was signed by theNew England Patriots.[12] He was released just four days later, on August 14.[13]
Hartsock is aChristian.[14] He married his high school sweetheart, Amy Lykowski, in 2003, and they have two daughters, Whitney and Lindsey.
