Anttaj Hawthorne

NFL player


Color=Black
fontcolor=silver
DateOfBirth=Birth date and age|1981|11|15|mf=y
Birthplace=New Haven, CT
College=Wisconsin
Position=Defensive tackle
DraftedYear=2005
DraftedRound=6/ Pick 175
years=2005-"2007"
teams=Oakland Raiders
CBS=412473

Anttaj Hawthorne (born November 15, 1981 in New Haven, Connecticut) is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

High School career

Hawthorne attended Hamden High School in Hamden, Connecticut, his hometown. He played on the varsity football team all four years of his High School career. He got a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Anttaj participated in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl game on December 30th, 2000.

College career

Hawthorne starred at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for four years. He was a team leader and a standout player.

Professional career

Hawthorne was expected to be a first round draft pick and have a bright National Football League (NFL) future, but a positive test for marijuana at the NFL Combine caused him to fall in the draft. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He spent most of the 2005 season on the Raiders practice squad before finally being signed to the active roster on December 2. He was active for two games his first season, registering two assists in the Raiders regular season finale against the Giants. In March 2006, he was allocated by the Raiders to the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFL Europe, where he helped the team win their fourth World Bowl. In the 2006 season, he started on the goal line defensive team for the Raiders. He was released by the Raiders on September 1, 2007. He worked out with the San Francisco 49ers, but as of yet has not been offered a contract.