Jonathan Hayes is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. He was born on August 11, 1962, in South Carolina, and attended the University of Iowa, where he played college football for the Hawkeyes.
Hayes was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Chiefs, where he established himself as a reliable pass-catcher and blocker. In 1990, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played for two seasons before joining the New England Patriots in 1992.
Hayes played for the Patriots for two seasons before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1994. He spent the final three seasons of his career with the Chiefs, where he served as a backup tight end and special teams player.
Throughout his career, Hayes was known for his versatility and toughness. He was a solid blocker who could also catch passes out of the backfield. He was also a valuable special teams player, often serving as a long snapper on punts and field goals.
Hayes retired from the NFL after the 1996 season. He finished his career with 153 receptions for 1,718 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also recorded 27 tackles on special teams.
After retiring from football, Hayes began a career in coaching. He served as an assistant coach at several colleges, including Oklahoma, Texas, and Oklahoma State. In 2012, he was hired as the tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals, where he has remained to this day.
Hayes is widely regarded as one of the best tight ends of his era. He was a tough, physical player who was willing to do whatever it took to help his team win. He was also a respected leader in the locker room, and his work ethic and dedication to the game were an inspiration to his teammates.
Overall, Jonathan Hayes had a successful football career that spanned over a decade. He was a reliable and versatile player who made significant contributions to every team he played for. Today, he is considered one of the best tight ends of his era and a respected coach in the NFL.
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