Hawkins played cornerback for the Bengals, Carolina Panthers and later transitioned to safety for the New England Patriots.
Hawkins attended the University of Cincinnati, where he majored in business and lettered in football for four years (1994–1997) as a defensive back and kick returner under head coach Rick Minter.
[1] Hawkins was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft, where he played cornerback for six years.
For the 2005 season, Hawkins joined the New England Patriots, playing in five games (starting four) with 11 tackles, six assists and one sack.
[6] His younger brother, Andrew Hawkins, retired from playing in the league in July 2017, after stints with the Bengals and Browns.