Chad Eaton
_(cropped).jpg) Eaton with the Seattle Seahawks in 2002 | |||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
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| Born: | April 6, 1972 Exeter, New Hampshire, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 303 lb (137 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Rogers (Puyallup, Washington) | ||||||||
| College: | Washington State | ||||||||
| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1995 / round: 7 / pick: 241 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Chad Everett Eaton (born April 6, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Washington State Cougars.
Early life
[edit]Eaton attended Governor John R. Rogers High School, where he was a two-way lineman. As a senior, he was an All-State selection and named the Prep Lineman Of The Year by the Washington State Sportswriter Association.
He accepted a football scholarship from Washington State University, but didn't play in his first year because of failing to meet the requirements of Proposition 48.
As a sophomore, he was a backup at defensive tackle, totaling 15 tackles and one sack. As a junior, he became a starter at defensive tackle, making 62 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and one pass defensed.
As a senior, he recorded 69 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 2 blocked kicks and received the Morris Trophy as the best offensive and defensive lineman in the conference. He finished his career with 23 starts in 35 games, 146 tackles (104 solo), 11.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries.
Professional career
[edit]Arizona Cardinals
[edit]Eaton was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (241st overall) of the 1995 NFL draft.[1] He was waived on August 14.[2]
New York Jets
[edit]On August 16, 1995, he signed with the New York Jets and was released on August 26.[3][4]
Cleveland Browns
[edit]On September 28, 1995, he was signed to the Cleveland Browns' practice squad.[5] He was promoted to the active roster for the last two games of the season, although he didn't play after being declared inactive. In 1996, the Browns moved to Baltimore and were renamed as the Ravens. He was cut on August 19.[6]
New England Patriots
[edit]On August 27, 1996, he was signed by the New England Patriots. On November 28, he was promoted to the active roster for the final four games of the season and 3 playoff games. He had 4 tackles, one sack and 2 passes defensed. He added 3 tackles and half a sack in the post season.
In 1997, he was a reserve player until earning a start in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins. He finished with 21 tackles, 3 passes defensed and one sack.
In 1998, he earned the starting nose tackle job, posting 69 tackles (ninth on the team), 6 sacks (second on the team), 3 fumble recoveries, 4 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He also received AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors against the Pittsburgh Steelers, after sacking quarterback Kordell Stewart three times and forcing a fumble that was recovered for a touchdown.
In 1999, he recorded 53 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries (led the team) and one forced fumble.
In 2000, he registered 78 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Against the Buffalo Bills he earned special teams player of the week after blocking 2 field goals, which included the potential game-winner in overtime. He was declared inactive in 2 games with a leg injury.
Seattle Seahawks
[edit]On March 9, 2001, he was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks to a four-year deal worth $10.7 million and was team up with defensive tackle John Randle who was another free agent signing. He finished with 57 tackles (led the defensive linemen), one sack, 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
In 2002, he registered 73 tackles (led the defensive linemen), one sack, 3 passes defensed and 3 fumble recoveries (led the team).
On August 12, 2003, he underwent surgery on his right knee. On August 29, he was placed on the injured reserve list.[7] On September 3, he had an emergency knee surgery to remove an infection.[8] He was released on February 27, 2004, after not being able to recover from his previous right knee surgeries.[9]
Dallas Cowboys
[edit]On August 25, 2004, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent to a one-year contract worth $660,000, to be a run specialist.[10] He started the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings in place of a suspended Leonardo Carson. He would be a backup for the next 5 contests, totaling 10 tackles and one quarterback pressure. He was cut on October 30.
Personal life
[edit]Eaton was arrested in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, July 21, 2007, on domestic violence charges.
In 2011, he was hired as the defensive line coach at Central State University. In a November, 2011, interview with the Dayton Daily News, Eaton claimed that Bill Belichick paid him to start fights with other players during practice.[11]
Eaton is now featured as a regular guest host on Seattle, Washington radio station 99.9 FM KISW's BJ SHEA Morning Experience. In a segment called "Hawk-Talk" where he regularly gives predictions and post game analysis of the Seattle Seahawks performance. His segment is each Monday morning usually in the 9 o'clock hour.
References
[edit]- ^ "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Transactions". August 17, 1995. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Transactions". August 20, 1996. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Springs injured; Seattle places 16 players on waivers". ESPN. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- ^ "Seahawks won't rule out Eaton's return". ESPN. August 27, 2003. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- ^ "Hochstein agrees to three-year deal". ESPN. February 27, 2004. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- ^ "DT Eaton agrees to deal with Cowboys". ESPN. August 25, 2004. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- ^ "Ex-NFL player Eaton bringing attitude to CSU". DaytonDailyNews.com. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
External links
[edit]- New England Patriots bio Archived 2016-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
- 1972 births
- Living people
- People from Exeter, New Hampshire
- Sportspeople from Rockingham County, New Hampshire
- Players of American football from New Hampshire
- American football defensive tackles
- Washington State Cougars football players
- New England Patriots players
- Seattle Seahawks players
- Dallas Cowboys players
- Central State Marauders football coaches