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Pro Sports Wrap - by Sam Ruesler

I have decided to start a new blog segment where I talk a little bit about a now retired athlete who is most likely not a well-known player. There will usually be very little information regarding the player in question, but I will try and do my best to talk a little bit about him. The inaugural historical player profile will be Dean Hamel's.

Dean Hamel was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 1, 1961 and played his college ball at Tulsa. Hamel is currently working for a company speed and agility training company called "3 Up, 3 Down" after spending six seasons in the NFL for two rival franchises.


Back in 1985, the year Hamel was drafted, there were 336 picks in 12 total rounds, as there were 28 teams in the league at the time. Although Bobby Beathard *insert inappropriate joke here* was known for his various picks that turned into busts, such as Walter Murray, the former 'Skins GM had a penchant for finding talent late in the draft such as quarterback Mark Rypien (6th round), linebacker Monte Coleman (11th), and tight end Clint Didier (12th). With the 309th pick in the NFL Draft (12th round), Beathard and the Redskins selected defensive tackle Dean Hamel.

Even though Hamel didn't have a great career, he was still a solid role player with the Redskins. That's more than what you would normally get out of a player selected in the last round of the draft, especially when that player was picked lower than over 300 guys in a single draft.

It's safe to say that Dean Hamel's rookie season was a success, and his six sacks set the rookie sack record for the Redskins. That record has since been broken by Brian Orakpo, but six quarterback takedowns is pretty impressive for a rookie. Of course he is no Ndamukong Suh, but Hamel was very good as a rookie.


Unfortunately, his career took a downward turn, and he only had 6.5 sacks during the next five seasons of his career. Hamel spent 1989 and 1990 with the Redskins' dreaded rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, after playing his first four seasons in Washington. It's important to note that he was traded, not signed, by Dallas. During his years with the Cowboys, Hamel's defensive line coach was Butch Davis.

In week 9 of the 1985 season, Dean Hamel had the game of his life in a 44-10 blowout of the Atlanta Falcons. Hamel recorded a career high three sacks, and that total was half of his season total.

While Dean Hamel's career wasn't an illustrious one, he was a solid player who was an impact rookie. He was definitely a bargain for the Redskins in the 12th round, and it's always interesting to look back at a player's career. And oh by the way, six sacks is a really good number for a rookie defensive tackle.
Drafted a Redskin, retired a Cowboy
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