Ben Hawkins obit

Former Eagles WR Ben Hawkins dies at 73

 

He was not on the list.

Former Eagles wide receiver Ben Hawkins died on Monday, the team said. He was 73.

A third-round pick of the Eagles in 1966, Hawkins spent eight of his nine NFL seasons in Philadelphia, where he played 102 games (67 starts) from 1966-73. He is tied for ninth in team history in receiving TDs (32), 10th in receiving yards (4,764) and 19th in receptions (261).

His single-season career high of 1,265 receiving yards in 1967 is the fifth-best mark in team history.

A former standout at Arizona State from 1962-66, Hawkins later went on to coach in the USFL for the Arizona Outlaws and San Antonio Gunslingers.

He is survived by his longtime partner of 38 years Mary Duggan, and his two children, Benjamin Michael and Nichole Tamara.

Hawkins led the NFL in receiving yards while with the Eagles in 1967. He played college football at Arizona State University and was drafted in the third round of the 1966 NFL Draft by the Eagles. Hawkins was also selected in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL Draft by the New York Jets but opted to play in the NFL instead.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Hawkins attended Weequahic High School before moving to nearby Nutley and transferring to Nutley High School.

 

Career information

 

College:            Arizona State

AFL Draft:            1966 / Round: 5 / Pick: 38

Career history

Philadelphia Eagles (1966–1973)

Cleveland Browns (1974)

Philadelphia Bell (1975)

 

Career highlights and awards

NFL receiving yards leader (1967)

Career NFL statistics

Receptions:            261

Receiving yards:   4,764

Receiving touchdowns:            32