Ben Hartsock

Benjamin Richard Hartsock (born July 5, 1980) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Ben Hartsock
Hartsock in 2009.
No. 84, 89, 88, 80, 47
Position:Tight End
Personal information
Born: (1980-07-05) July 5, 1980
Chillicothe, Ohio
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:Chillicothe (OH) Union-Scioto
College:Ohio State
NFL Draft:2004 / Round: 3 / Pick: 68
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • National champion (2002)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:31
Receiving yards:312
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com

Hartsock also played for the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers during his NFL career. Since retiring he was worked as a color analyst for pro and college football on Fox Sports Radio and ESPN Radio.

Early years

Ben attended Union Scioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio, where Ben caught 86 passes for 1562 yards (18.16 yards per rec. avg.). Ben also played running back, placekicker, and linebacker. Ben 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. Benjamin Hartsock committed to play at Ohio State University during his senior year of high school. Ben attended Ohio State University from 1999 to 2004 and then was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.

College career

 
Benjamin Hartsock attended the Ohio State University, where Ben played tight end. Ben was a three-time Academic All-Big 10 Conference honoree and won CoSIDA Academic All-American honors as a junior.

During his college career, Benjamin Hartsock started 31 of 51 games. For his career, Ben had 58 receptions for 519 yards (8.9 yards per reception average). Benjamin Hartsock recorded 33 catches for 290 yards (2 touchdowns) in his senior year alone and was a contributor for the 2002 National Championship team that defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Benjamin Hartsock was drafted in the 3rd round (68th pick overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Ben served as a reserve tight end in his time with the Colts, playing behind Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark.

Tennessee Titans

In 2006, Benjamin Hartsock signed with the Colts' division rival, the Tennessee Titans. Ben started twelve games, compiling 206 yards receiving in two years at tight end for Tennessee. The Titans lost Benjamin Hartsock to unrestricted free agency in March 2008.[1]

Atlanta Falcons

On March 2, 2008, the Atlanta Falcons came to an agreement with Benjamin Hartsock.[2][3] He was released on September 1, 2009.[4]

New York Jets

Benjamin Hartsock was signed by the New York Jets on September 2, 2009 to a one-year $1.2 million contract.[5] Benjamin 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.[6]

Benjamin Hartsock was re-signed by the team to a two-year contract in March 2010.[7] On March 2, 2011, Benjamin Hartsock was released by the Jets after spending the past two seasons with the team primarily as a blocker.[8]

Carolina Panthers

Benjamin Hartsock signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on July 27, 2011.[9]

New England Patriots

On August 10, 2014, Benjamin Hartsock was signed by the New England Patriots.[10] Ben was released just four days later on August 14, 2014.[11]

Personal life

Hartsock married his high school sweetheart, Amy Lykowski, in 2003, and they have 2 daughters, Whitney and Lindsey.

References
  1. "Titans agree to terms with Blakley". The City Paper. SouthComm Inc. March 18, 2008. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  2. WJBF Staff (March 3, 2008). "Atlanta Falcons Reach Contract Agreement With Ben Hartsock". WJBF-TV. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  3. "Source: Turner to get approximately $15M guaranteed from Falcons". ESPN. March 3, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  4. Ledbetter, D. Orlando (September 1, 2009). "Falcons release three players". AJC.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  5. Hutchinson, Dave (September 2, 2009). "NY Jets sign tight end Ben Hartsock". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  6. Hutchinson, Dave (September 29, 2009). "For NY Jets blocking tight end Ben Hartsock, a long awaited trip to the end zone". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  7. Wilson, Aaron (March 8, 2010). "Source: Ben Hartsock re-signs with Jets". National Football Post. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  8. Cimini, Rich (March 2, 2011). "Jets cut Vernon Gholston, Ben Hartsock". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  9. Richards, Scott (July 28, 2011). "Ben Hartsock signs with Carolina Panthers". Chillicothe Gazette. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on July 30, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  10. Wesseling, Chris (August 10, 2014). "Ben Hartsock, Steve Maneri signed by Patriots". NFL.com. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  11. Sessler, Marc. "Ben Hartsock released by New England Patriots". Retrieved August 14, 2014.
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