Ben Hartsock
{{Short description|American football player (born 1980)}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ben Hartsock
| image = Ben Hartsock cropped.jpg
| caption = Hartsock with the New York Jets in 2009
| number = 80, 47, 88, 89, 84
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|7|5}}
| birth_place = Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 265
| high_school = Unioto (Chillicothe)
| college = Ohio State
| draftyear = 2004
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 68
| pastteams =
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2004}}–{{NFL Year|2006}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2006}}–{{NFL Year|2007}})
- Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2008}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2011}}–{{NFL Year|2013}})
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2014}})*
| highlights =
- BCS national champion (2002)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2003)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 31
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 312
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
| pfr = HartBe00
}}
Benjamin Richard Hartsock (born July 5, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2004 NFL draft.
Hartsock also played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers during his NFL career. Since retiring he has worked as a color analyst for pro and college football on Fox Sports Radio and ESPN Radio.
Early life
Hartsock attended Unioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he caught 86 passes for 1562 yards (18.16 yards reception). He also played running back, placekicker, and linebacker. Hartsock recorded 61 tackles, and 19 quarterback 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 at Ohio State University during his senior year of high school.
College career
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 the 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football team, which that defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl, winning the BCS National Championship.
Professional career
=Indianapolis Colts=
Hartsock was selected in the third round with the 68th overall pick of the 2004 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/draft.htm |title=2004 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=2023-05-06}} He was a reserve tight end in his time with the Colts, playing behind Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark.
=Tennessee Titans=
In 2006, Hartsock signed with the Colts' division rival, the Tennessee Titans. He started 12 games, compiling 206 yards receiving in two years at tight end for Tennessee. The Titans lost Hartsock to unrestricted free agency in March 2008.{{cite news |title=Titans agree to terms with Blakley |url=http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/sports/titans-agree-terms-blakley |work=The City Paper |publisher=SouthComm Inc. |date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929062030/http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/sports/titans-agree-terms-blakley |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead }}
=Atlanta Falcons=
On March 2, 2008, the Atlanta Falcons came to an agreement with Hartsock.{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2008 |title=Atlanta Falcons Reach Contract Agreement With Ben Hartsock |url=http://www2.wjbf.com/sports/2008/mar/03/-jbf_2008_03_03_0026-ar-229543/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728065631/http://www2.wjbf.com/sports/2008/mar/03/-jbf_2008_03_03_0026-ar-229543/ |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |website=WJBF-TV}}{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2008 |title=Source: Turner to get approximately $15M guaranteed from Falcons |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3273710 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718175206/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3273710 |archive-date=July 18, 2009 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} He was released on September 1, 2009.{{cite news |title=Falcons release three players |url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-release-three-players-128749.html?cxtype=rss_sports_82014 |work=AJC.com |publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |author=Ledbetter, D. Orlando |date=September 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629134801/http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-release-three-players-128749.html?cxtype=rss_sports_82014 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead }}
=New York Jets=
Hartsock was signed by the New York Jets on September 2, 2009, to a one-year $1.2 million contract.{{cite news |title=NY Jets sign tight end Ben Hartsock |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/09/ny_jets_sign_te_ben_hartsock.html |work=The Star-Ledger |publisher=Advance Publications |author=Hutchinson, Dave |date=September 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013133703/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/09/ny_jets_sign_te_ben_hartsock.html |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead }} Hartsock recorded his first career touchdown on a two-yard pass from Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez against his former team, the Tennessee Titans, in September 2009.{{cite news |title=For NY Jets blocking tight end Ben Hartsock, a long awaited trip to the end zone |url=http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/09/ny_jets_veteran_te_ben_hartsoc.html |work=The Star-Ledger |publisher=Advance Publications |author=Hutchinson, Dave |date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003104512/http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/09/ny_jets_veteran_te_ben_hartsoc.html |archive-date=October 3, 2009 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead }}
Hartsock was re-signed by the team to a two-year contract in March 2010.{{cite web |title=Source: Ben Hartsock re-signs with Jets |url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source-Ben-Hartsock-resigns-with-Jets.html |publisher=National Football Post |author=Wilson, Aaron |date=March 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512072529/http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source-Ben-Hartsock-resigns-with-Jets.html |archive-date=May 12, 2010 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |url-status=dead }} On March 2, 2011, Hartsock was released by the Jets after spending the past two seasons with the team primarily as a blocker.{{cite web |title=Jets cut Vernon Gholston, Ben Hartsock |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=6175578 |publisher=ESPN |author=Cimini, Rich |date=March 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306130616/http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=6175578 |archive-date=March 6, 2011 |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=live }}
=Carolina Panthers=
Hartsock signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on July 27, 2011.{{cite news |title=Ben Hartsock signs with Carolina Panthers |url=http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20110728/SPORTS/107280316/Ben-Hartsock-signs-Carolina-Panthers |work=Chillicothe Gazette |publisher=Gannett Company |author=Richards, Scott |date=July 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814161537/http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20110728/SPORTS/107280316/Ben-Hartsock-signs-Carolina-Panthers |archive-date=August 14, 2011 |access-date=July 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
=New England Patriots=
On August 10, 2014, Hartsock was signed by the New England Patriots.{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ben-hartsock-steve-maneri-signed-by-patriots-0ap3000000376543|title=Ben Hartsock, Steve Maneri signed by Patriots|first=Chris|last=Wesseling|date=August 10, 2014|access-date=August 10, 2014}} He was released just four days later, on August 14.{{cite web|last1=Sessler|first1=Marc|title=Ben Hartsock released by New England Patriots|website=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ben-hartsock-released-by-new-england-patriots-0ap3000000377779|access-date=August 14, 2014}}
Personal life
Hartsock is a Christian.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Jason |title=SS PODCAST: Former NFL tight end Ben Hartsock on CFB traditions, identity in Christ |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/podcast/2023/09/01/podcast-ben-hartsock-cfb-traditions-identity-christ/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=September 2023 |access-date=4 September 2023}} He married his high school sweetheart, Amy Lykowski, in 2003, and they have two daughters, Whitney and Lindsey.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20141203160133/http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/ben-hartsock/cb952ddb-b1bf-4c2a-8d1d-748c191f0c94/ Carolina Panthers profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20101013030947/http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/roster/ben-hartsock/958295cd-9f90-40a4-8e74-8a7bdfda1b57/ New York Jets profile]
{{2002 Ohio State Buckeyes football navbox}}
{{Indianapolis Colts 2004 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hartsock, Ben}}
Category:American football tight ends
Category:College football announcers
Category:Atlanta Falcons players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:Tennessee Titans players