Merton Hanks

Merton Hanks
Merton Hanks
Position(s)
Safety
Jersey #(s)
36, 45
Born March 12, 1968 (1968-03-12) (age 43)
Dallas, Texas
Career information
Year(s) 19911999
NFL Draft 1991 / Round: 5 / Pick: 122
College Iowa
Professional teams
Career stats
INT 33
INT yards 410
Touchdowns 3
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards

Merton Edward Hanks (born March 12, 1968) is a former safety in the National Football League.[1]

Hanks attended Lake Highlands High School, where he was a district track and field champion. He went on to the University of Iowa, earning all-Big Ten honors at cornerback. However, at the NFL scouting combine, his 40-yard dashes were extremely slow, and he was not drafted until the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite his low selection, Hanks was selected for 4 Pro Bowl and 3 All-Pro teams. He was well-known for his interceptions and returns, as well as his unique "chicken dance" celebrations which were later emulated by basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.[2][3] He was a member of the 1994 San Francisco team that won Super Bowl XXIX. Hanks finished his career with the Seattle Seahawks, retiring in 1999. He is now a senior manager and assistant director of operations for the National Football League, and regularly goes on speaking tours.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Merton Hanks". NFL.com. National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/players/mertonhanks/profile?id=HAN175341. Retrieved 31 December 2010. 
  2. ^ Gwen Knapp (December 21, 1997). "Dances with Hanks". sfgate.com. http://articles.sfgate.com/1997-12-21/sports/28561674_1. Retrieved October 16, 2011. 
  3. ^ Phil Taylor (December 1, 1997). "Basketball Jones". sportsillustrated.cnn.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1011561/index.htm. Retrieved October 16, 2011. 
  4. ^ "Where are they now? Merton Hanks". Hawkeye Sports. 9 October 2008. http://www.hawkeyesportsnews.com/2008/10/where-are-they-now-merton-hanks.html. Retrieved 31 December 2010. 

External links