In the 1990 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Rodney Hampton in the first round and added him to an already crowded running back room.
Still, after rushing for nearly 500 yards as a rookie, Hampton quickly displayed the skills that justified his lofty draft position.
From 1991 through 1995, he ran for over 1,000 yards each season.
Rodney Hampton! #Giants https://t.co/DPgWgAKB8H pic.twitter.com/pwOXUZsDmk
— Mike Barner (@rotomikebarner) July 20, 2024
During his career in the Big Apple, Hampton was a consistent dual-threat as a runner and pass catcher.
Unfortunately, as good as he was, Hampton was forced from the game by 1998 due to injuries.
This is the story of Rodney Hampton.
Bullish as a Bulldog
Rodney Craig Hampton was born on April 3, 1969, in Houston, Texas.
Happy birthday to former #Giants RB Rodney Hampton (54)! The 2x Pro Bowler was just a rookie when he was included in #TecmoSuperBowl despite being injured in the playoffs in '90. He's one of the best RB's in team history with over 6,800 rushing yards. Happy birthday Rodney! pic.twitter.com/Nq6ZgZA8X3
— SBlueman (@SBluemanTecmo) April 3, 2023
A future in pro football almost didn’t happen as Hampton quit the sport early in his prep career to focus on hoops.
Thankfully, a couple of important people intervened to get him back on the gridiron.
“I stopped playing football after my freshman year because I had a chance to play on the varsity squad in basketball, which I did,” recalled Hampton in 2018. “But the next year I picked football over basketball because my brother Randy told me I had a better chance in football. Plus, my Godfather, told me to get my ass back on the football field. It worked out.”
After lettering in football, basketball and track at Kashmere High School in Houston, Hampton matriculated to the University of Georgia, although that was almost by accident.
“Georgia was not my first choice,” said Hampton. “I’m a big Eric Dickerson fan and wanted to go to SMU. They got hit by the NCAA and the program was shut down. From there I saw that Georgia had a senior running back (Lars Tate) and I thought I had a chance to play as a true freshman.”
For prep athletes wanting to play running back in college, the Bulldogs offered a rich tradition at the position.
Before Hampton arrived, Georgia boasted Herschel Walker, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1982.
Tim Worley followed Walker and came to Georgia around the same time as Hampton (Worley missed the 1987 season due to a knee injury).
The Bulldog’s stacked running back room also included Keith Henderson and Tate.
As loaded as the program was at tailback, Hampton didn’t back down an inch.
RBU’s Rodney Hampton! 🙌👏✍️🐐 pic.twitter.com/V0UyC4rSRO
— Georgia Autographs (@SignedSweetSpot) November 9, 2024
Standing a shade under six feet tall and weighing a lithe 215 pounds, Hampton played in 11 games in 1987, rushed for 890 yards and four touchdowns, and added two more scores as a receiver.
His 7.1 yards per attempt led the SEC.
Georgia went 9-3 that year then repeated the record in 1988 when Worley returned from his knee injury to run for over 1,200 yards.
Hampton took a back seat to his teammate and rushed for 719 yards and seven combined touchdowns.
1989
Before the 1989 college football season began two major changes happened to the Bulldogs program.
First, head coach Vince Dooley, who had led Georgia since 1964, stepped down to focus on his duties as the school’s athletic director.
Then, Worley decided to skip his final year of school and enter the NFL Draft.
He would be selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round and spend six years in the pros.
Ray Goff took over for Dooley in 1989 and the Bulldogs dipped to six wins.
However, with Worley absent, Hampton made the most of his time as the team’s primary running back.
Former NY Giant All Pro Rodney Hampton wore #7 at Georgia when I started watching college football.https://t.co/lZemRK0x8H pic.twitter.com/QF5USCp0Yw
— Mister Baseball (@tlantabraves) November 16, 2024
In 10 games, “Sweet Feet” rushed for 1,059 yards, 12 touchdowns, a 105.9-yard average per game and added 26 receptions for 219 yards, all career highs.
Those numbers led to first-team All-SEC honors.
During an especially brutal day against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 7, Hampton had to exit the game multiple times for team trainers to put his knee back into place.
1988 vs. Tennessee
Georgia opened the season with a 28-17 win over the Vols in Athens. Rodney Hampton ran for 196 yards and 2 TDs and Tim Worley rushed for 144 yards with a pair of scores.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/VNiSvFTxMy
— UGA Rewind (@UGARewind) October 5, 2020
The running back continued to play though the Bulldogs lost 17-14.
Although Georgia lost in the Peach Bowl to Syracuse, Hampton had the distinction of beating rival Florida all three years he played for the ‘Dogs.
He continues to take great pride in that accomplishment to this day.
“Most important for me was the three years I was there, we beat Florida three times. So I’m 3-0. I can say I am undefeated,” said Hampton in 2015.
Not only was an undefeated record against the Gators brag-worthy, but it was also worthy of Hampton being inducted into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame years later.
During his career in Athens, Hampton rushed for 2,668 yards and 22 touchdowns and caught 46 passes for 438 yards and three more scores.
Additionally, in 1987 and 1988 he returned 20 combined kicks for 476 yards.
First Rounder
In 1989, the New York Giants went 12-4, and running back O.J. Anderson was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
At the time, the G-Men were brimming at running back with a position room that included Anderson, Joe Morris, Dave Meggett, and fullback Maurice Carthon.
So, it came as a bit of a surprise when New York picked Hampton (who decided to skip his senior year at Georgia) with the 24th overall selection in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft.
1990: Draft Week- Some controversy in #NYGiants pick at 24. Parcells wanted LB Darion Connor. Young wanted @RodneyHampton27. Young got his wish & it was the right pick. W/ Jets going Blair Thomas at #2, Hampton would be the better pro, retiring as NYG leading rusher & 2 Pro Bowls pic.twitter.com/e2lTsCETzI
— BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) April 23, 2024
Then-head coach Bill Parcells wanted to pick a defensive player but was overruled by general manager George Young.
“Coach [Parcells] really wanted the linebacker from Jackson State. I’m glad that George Young took me anyway,” added Hampton in 2022.
Instead of a running back by committee approach, the Giants released Morris and Anderson and Hampton shared time in 1990.
Hampton then wowed his new teammates and the fickle Giants fans by taking his first NFL carry 89 yards to the house against the Buffalo Bills.
1990 preseason: @RodneyHampton27 was #NYGiants 1st rounder as a Junior out of Georgia, joining an already stacked RB corps. The 1st time he touched the ball he took it 89 yards for a TD at Buffalo on MNF. Look at that speed. H/T @BillsVhs for getting me this one #TogetherBlue pic.twitter.com/cbvWiFxIbz
— BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) August 16, 2022
The rookie started two games but played in 15 and ended the regular season with 455 yards and two scores.
He also added 274 yards and two more touchdowns as a receiver.
New York won 13 games in ‘90 and beat the Chicago Bears in the divisional round of the playoffs.
During the contest, Hampton chased down a fumble by quarterback Jeff Hostetler and broke his leg.
His day, and his season, were done.
“I just remember my leg having no feeling in it after “the Fridge” landed on me,” said Hampton, referring to Bears defensive tackle William “The Refridgerator” Perry.
Anderson returned to being the lead back and helped guide the Giants to an improbable victory over Buffalo in Super Bowl XXV.
Hampton Gains Steam
The Super Bowl would be Anderson’s high point in New York.
He would remain in the Big Apple for two more years, but by then it was Hampton’s team.
In 1991, Hampton struggled with injuries and staying on the field before getting a pep talk by teammate Pepper Johnson.
“…the next year I was also banged up a lot and missed some games, but thanks to (linebacker) Pepper Johnson he helped my career. He told me I had to play through most of the injuries. My locker was next to his so I just watched him and learned,” said Hampton.
As the Giants limped toward the finish line with a 7-8 record, Hampton was closing in on a milestone rushing total.
“The last game of the season after missing four games, I needed 89 yards against the Houston Oilers to break 1,000 yards,” said Hampton. “Pep told me his defense was going to keep the Oilers offense off the field. When we had the ball, Pep was up on the sidelines helping me with what I needed to hear when I came off the field. I finished with 140 yards.”
Sure enough, Johnson was true to his word and Hampton reached 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns for the year.
Rodney Hampton hits pay dirt (1991)
Browns vs Giants
Week 4 pic.twitter.com/KvW4I1rO3u— Vintage NFL (@NFL_vintage) February 17, 2023
In 1992, the G-Men won only six times but Hampton was not the problem.
Running behind a massive offensive line, he sprinted to 1,141 yards and a career-best 14 touchdowns.
“I was blessed to have good offensive linemen. I always told them how much I thought about them and always gave them a Christmas gift. The running game only goes how the offensive line goes,” said Hampton in 2018.
His play led to a Pro Bowl nod after the season.
Back to the Playoffs
Hampton was a Pro Bowler again in 1993 when he rushed for 1,077 yards and five scores while New York won 11 games.
In the wild-card round against the Minnesota Vikings, then-head coach Dan Reeves unleashed Hampton into the cold, windy, rainy weather.
By the end of the 17-10 win, the running back had 161 yards and two touchdowns, almost single-handedly winning the day by matching a franchise postseason record.
Happy Birthday Rodney Hampton
1994 #NFCWildCard#Vikings #Giants @RodneyHampton27 33-161-2 6-24@PhilSimmsQB and @LT_56 win their last game at #Giants Stadium 17-10pic.twitter.com/cKMdS4SPJ0— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) April 3, 2024
His first touchdown run of 51 yards is still the longest in team playoff history.
A week later, the Giants season ended badly with a 44-3 beating at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers.
In 1994, Hampton had 1,075 yards and six scores while New York went 9-7 and missed the postseason.
Almost a Niner
Hampton continued to be an anchor in the Giant’s backfield in 1995.
That season while the team regressed to 6-10, he rushed for over 1,000 yards for the fifth consecutive year.
Rodney Hampton #Giants #NFL pic.twitter.com/YeEuJc2BMC
— kelly Hammond🏳️🌈⚧️🏳️⚧️🌈 (@kellyHammo71824) February 3, 2024
Somehow, he was passed over for any accolades by his peers despite running for a career-best 1,182 yards and adding 10 touchdowns.
Following the year, San Francisco reached out to Hampton’s agent about the possibility of becoming a Niner.
It was close, but Hampton wanted to stay put.
“I told Ralph [Cindrich, Hampton’s agent] I wanted to be a Giant and loved New York and New Jersey. In order for me stay with the Giants they had to match the contract and also pay me $1 million to work out doing the off-season. I am thankful that the Giants matched it. I did not want to leave,” said Hampton.
While the Giants were thrilled to keep their guy, the 49ers were bummed to say the least.
“We’re disappointed because he was such a good guy and because we thought he could really help us,” said Carmen Policy, the 49ers’ president. “Also, because our options are relatively limited.”
Hampton Retires
Now that he was firmly entrenched as a Giant again, Hampton expected to be the lead dog for the next several years.
In 1996, however, second-year back Tyrone Wheatley took a good share of his workload.
New York #Jets defensive end Hugh Douglas and New York #Giants running back Rodney Hampton leave ESPN anchor Chris Berman all wet during a commercial shoot,back in 1996 pic.twitter.com/t2X4S7XUZJ
— Sports-Cards-Photos (@SportsTradingC4) February 3, 2023
Hampton ended the season with 827 yards and a career-low one touchdown.
Toward the end of ‘96, Hampton hurt his knee in a game against New Orleans.
The knee continued to bother him in 1997 and New York, perhaps sensing Hampton’s days were numbered, drafted University of Virginia running back Tiki Barber.
Hampton missed all but two games in 1997 while Barber and Wheatley carried the rushing load.
By the end of the season, Hampton had 81 yards and one touchdown.
The Giants released him after the season.
“Words come up short when you try to explain what Rodney has meant to the entire organization,” general manager Ernie Accorsi told the assembled press after announcing Hampton’s release. ”He has conducted himself with great pride and dignity.”
For his part, Hampton vowed that he would keep playing.
”I’m playing next year, just not with the Giants. I guess it’s kind of sad because I spent a lot of years in New York. I’ll miss the Giants, but it’s time to move on,” said Hampton.
Dallas and Arizona showed some interest but ultimately both organizations took a hard pass and Hampton retired.
Born this Day: Rodney Hampton#Giants 1990-1997
2x Pro Bowl
1x Super Bowl Champion
6897 Rush Yds
1309 Rec Yds
51 Touchdowns
2nd All-Time leading rusher in Giants History pic.twitter.com/IS1JH6Q2iY— 90's Football Guy (@sconiesportsguy) April 3, 2023
During his career, Hampton rushed for 6,897 yards, 49 touchdowns, and caught 174 passes for 1,309 yards and two scores.
At the time, Hampton’s career yardage was first in franchise history but was surpassed by Barber.
He was a two-time Pro Bowler and was later added to the Giants’ Ring of Honor.
Life After Football
After retiring from the NFL, Hampton returned to Houston and, with his father, built a successful bail-bond business called A Better Bail Bond.
He also runs a football camp for kids.
“I take pride in our family business and doing things in the community,” said Hampton, who runs an after-school program and “Hamp’s Camp” youth football camp. “I tell kids if they work hard and stay disciplined, they can do anything they want in life. Just like me.”
As one might expect, the former professional athlete has a young athletic prodigy himself.
#DAWGSEASON 🔥 Welcome to the Athens Rylee Hampton! 🐶
#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/OubpOcZqAz— Georgia Track + Field (@UGATrack) November 8, 2023
Hampton’s daughter, Rylee, was one of the best high school sprinters in the nation and is currently a freshman competing at Georgia, her father’s alma mater.
References
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/rodney-hampton-1.html
https://www.giants.com/news/rodney-hampton
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HampRo00.htm
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