Steelers' Long time Impenetrable Force Casey Hampton Never Took Fat Jokes To Heart

The Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004-2011 were a force to be reckoned with. They had a ferocious defense and a young playmaking quarterback that had the gift of performing late-game magic, seemingly on command. At the center of it all, was a 6-foot-1, 325-pound nose guard from Galveston Texas named Casey Hampton.

Hampton was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas. The Longhorns’ nose tackle was a consensus All-American in 1999 and 2000, and the Steelers snatched him up with the 19th pick overall. The Steelers had an inkling of what they were getting when the Daily Texan interviewed the relentless defender during his senior year.

“The way I see it, you never know when your last play is going to be,” Hampton said. “So, you should go hard all the time. There is no reason to take a play off.”

For the next 12 seasons, Hampton was the nose tackle in Pittsburgh. He played in 173 games for the Steelers, and he started 164 only missing significant time during Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season. He lost the final 10 games of that season to a torn ACL in his right knee. Hampton was coming off of his first Pro Bowl in 2003 and there was some concern that he would return to his previous level of play.

The Pittsburgh nose tackle did return in 2005 and started 15 games for the Steelers on their way to a Super Bowl XL triumph. Hampton immediately returned to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. The knee injury likely interrupted what would have been a streak of five consecutive appearances in the annual exhibition. He still managed five appearances in seven seasons from 2003-2009.

Hampton may have been the best nose guard ever, especially when it comes to stopping the run. His run-stuffing excellence comes into focus when you compare it to his pass-rushing. Hampton had almost as many Pro Bowl appearances as sacks in his career. He was so proficient at plugging the middle that fans and players overlooked his lack of production against the passing game. Hampton only totaled nine sacks for his entire career and appeared in five Pro Bowls. That would not happen in today's statistic-driven NFL.

During his time in Pittsburgh, few players were respected by their peers more than Hampton. Teams knew when he was on the field, and that running the ball was almost pointless. The Steelers' defenses of this era forced offenses into one-sided attacks that allowed his teammates like James Harrison and James Farrior to shine because Hampton was occupying the interior offensive linemen.

Beloved by teammates he was given the nickname “Big Snack” and he embraced it. He had a pregame tradition of accepting one hot dog from a heckling fan whenever the Steelers visited the Baltimore Ravens. The good-natured Hampton enjoyed the pregame ritual before every road Ravens game.

“I’ve heard every fat thing in the world so it doesn’t bother me too much,” Hampton said. “Sticks and Stones man, I know I’m fat it ain’t no big deal. There’s one fan, I don’t know his name, but we go at it every year. He brings me a hot dog out and everything. He takes care of me, That’s my guy.”

Hampton was a jovial teammate, and he was immensely popular with fans. He never pretended to be something he wasn’t. Hampton was listed at 6 foot 1 and 325, but observers often questioned both of those measurables. Tunch Ilkin in his book In the Locker Room: Tales of the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Playing Field to the Broadcast Booth recalled an encounter with him in training camp when he guessed Hampton was pushing 350. 

“350?” Hampton responded as he walked away. “I’m the best-looking 350 you ever saw.”

The former Steelers nose guard has never been a finalist for the Hall of Fame, but he has appeared on several semi-finalist ballots. It isn’t likely he will get any serious consideration for Canton because his counting numbers are so low. Run stuffing is a lost art in professional football because the modern NFL has moved away from that part of the game. The true nose guard of even a decade ago doesn’t have much of a place in today’s NFL. 

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Hampton might be overlooked by the Hall of Fame with a debatable case for entry, but he should not be overlooked for the Steelers Hall of Honor. The Steelers established the institution in 2017 and they have inducted many past greats since its inception. Hampton has been eligible since it was created and five years into the process, he is still missing from the list. It's hard to overlook Hampton, but somehow the Steelers have managed. 

Maybe he has been hiding at the concessions stand, but it is past time for them to drag him into the spotlight, even if it means serving up hot dogs at the ceremonial dinner. Hampton certainly is the best nose guard the Steelers ever saw.