He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft.

In Super Bowl XLI he returned a Rex Grossman interception (the first of his career) 56 yards for a touchdown in a win over his hometown team, the Chicago Bears.

Hayden attended Hubbard High School in Chicago, Illinois, where he was a four-year starter in football.

After losing his first junior college game, he led Joliet JC to 21 consecutive victories and the 2002 NJCAA National Championship.

[2] In his second season, Hayden recorded his first career interception in Super Bowl XLI when he took a Rex Grossman pass 56 yards for a touchdown, en route to a Colts 29–17 victory over the Chicago Bears.

[6] On August 7, 2013, the Bears announced that Hayden suffered a torn hamstring and would miss the entire 2013 season.

[11] On September 2, 2014, he was re-signed by the Bears to fill an opening on the roster when wide receiver Marquess Wilson was placed on injured reserve.