Prior to that he was an All-American college football player for the Texas Longhorns and a first round pick of the Steelers in the 2001 NFL draft.

He was twice named as the District Defensive Player of the Year, and as a senior, he was a Texas Class 5A All-State first-team selection.

That season, he recorded 60 tackles (29 solos) with two sacks and eight stops for losses and registered six quarterback pressures, five pass deflections and recovered one fumble.

Head coach Bill Cowher named Hampton the backup nose tackle behind Kendrick Clancy to start the regular season.

On October 26, 2001, Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach Bill Cowher named Hampton the starting nose tackle for the remainder of the season, but stated he would still be rotated by Kendrick Clancy.

[12] On October 29, 2001, Hampton earned his first career start and recorded two combined tackles during a 34–7 victory against the Tennessee Titans in Week 7.

[13] In Week 9, he collected a season-high four combined tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback Tim Couch in the Steelers' 15–12 win at the Cleveland Browns.

On January 20, 2002, Hampton started in his first career playoff game and recorded three combined tackles in a 27–10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.

[17] In Week 16, he collected two combined tackles, two forced fumbles, and had a season-high two sacks in the Steelers' 17–7 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He also had a strip/sack on quarterback Rob Johnson and the ball was recovered by teammate Kendrell Bell to stop a potential touchdown on the Steelers' five-yard line in the third quarter.

[19] On September 14, 2003, Hampton collected a season-high three solo tackles and sacked quarterback Trent Green in a 41–20 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.

[21] Hampton started all 16 regular season games in 2003 and made 39 combined tackles (27 solo), a pass deflection, and a sack.

On October 17, 2004, Hampton made one solo tackle before exiting late in the fourth quarter of a 24–20 victory at the Dallas Cowboys.

[24] On October 20, 2004, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed Hampton on season-ending injured reserve due to a torn ACL in his right knee.

[29] On January 26, 2006, Hampton was selected to play in the 2006 Pro Bowl as a late replacement for New England Patriots' defensive end Richard Seymour, who was unable to participate due to an injury.

[29] On February 5, 2006, Hampton recorded four solo tackles and sacked quarterback Matt Hasselbeck as the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21–10 in Super Bowl XL.

[29] Hampton returned as the starting nose tackle in 2006 and teamed with defensive ends Aaron Smith and Brett Kiesel.

On November 30, 2008, he made two solo tackles and sacked quarterback matt Cassel during the Steelers' 33–10 win at the New England Patriots.

[14] The Pittsburgh Steelers finished first in the AFC North with a 12–4 record and earned a playoff berth with a first round bye.

[39] On February 1, 2009, Hampton started in Super Bowl XLIII and made two combined tackles as the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27–23.

[39] Hampton started in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opener against the Tennessee Titans and collected a season-high five combined tackles in their 13–10 victory.

On December 20, 2009, Hampton tied his season-high of five combined tackles and was credited with half a sack during a 37–36 victory against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.

[44] On October 3, 2010, Hampton made one solo tackle and sacked quarterback Joe Flacco in a 17–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4.

[45] On February 6, 2011, Hampton started in Super Bowl XLV and made one solo tackle as the Steelers lost 31–25 against the Green Bay Packers.