Carl Hairston is a former American football player who played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He was born on February 13, 1953, in Martinsville, Virginia, and attended Virginia Tech University, where he played college football.
Hairston began his professional football career in 1976 when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. He played for the Eagles for eight seasons, from 1976 to 1983, and was a key member of the team's defense. During his time with the Eagles, Hairston played in 118 games and recorded 66 sacks, which is the fourth-highest total in team history.
In 1984, Hairston was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he played for four seasons. He continued to be a dominant force on defense, recording 27 sacks in 57 games. In 1987, Hairston was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
After his time with the Browns, Hairston played for the Phoenix Cardinals for two seasons, from 1988 to 1989. He then returned to the Eagles for his final season in 1990 before retiring from professional football.
Throughout his career, Hairston was known for his strength, speed, and agility on the field. He was a fierce pass rusher and was often double-teamed by opposing teams. Despite this, he was able to record 94.5 sacks in his career, which is the 68th highest total in NFL history.
Hairston was also known for his durability, as he played in 196 consecutive games during his career. This streak was the second-longest in NFL history at the time of his retirement.
After retiring from football, Hairston became a coach and worked with several NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, and Green Bay Packers. He also worked as a scout for the Packers and was part of the team's Super Bowl-winning staff in 2010.
In conclusion, Carl Hairston was a dominant defensive end in the NFL for 15 seasons. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, and Phoenix Cardinals and was known for his strength, speed, and agility on the field. Hairston recorded 94.5 sacks in his career and was named to the Pro Bowl once. After retiring from football, he became a coach and scout and was part of a Super Bowl-winning staff with the Green Bay Packers.
🏈