The latest in a season-long series, trying to give you a little more insight into some of the Washington Redskins. This week: Jason Hatcher.
Position: Defensive end
Age: 32
College: Grambling State
Best season: Hatcher recorded a career-best 11 sacks for Dallas in 2013. He also forced two fumbles.
Person you most admire: I would have to say my wife [Natasha]. It's a long story and I don't want to get into it and the way we met, but just the person she is in my life. I don't think I'd be where I am if it wasn't for her.
Biggest obstacle you've had to overcome: Losing my mom [Jane] at age 16. I had to grow up and be a man. I had a son right after she passed. I had to grow up really fast at the age of 16. I didn't have no other choice. I didn't have too many excuses to make. I had to man up and face it at 16 years old. At the end of the day I thank God for the obstacle because it made me the man I am today.
Favorite football memory: In 2007 against the Patriots, I had a fumble recovery for a touchdown -- 29 yards. It felt great, man. I couldn't believe it happened. It felt like it was in slow motion. All the time I was running I was like, I know someone is going to blow the whistle and blow this play dead, I can't be about to score. It was great.
Habit you're glad you have: Yeah, just the habit of working hard. It's a habit for me. It's something I have to do. I feel like if I don't then someone is out there working as hard as I am so I never stop working.
Habit you wish you had: None.
What you like to do away from the field: Spend time with my family, play golf, fish, hunt, do a little Bikram yoga. I'm an OK golfer, I shoot around 95. I like deer hunting, hog hunting. That's about it right now. The yoga helps with my flexibility. It just helps me stay real flexible, keeps my joints real loose. I've been doing it for four or five years now.
What did you dream of being as a kid: Some kind of professional athlete. I didn't know what it was going to be, but I always knew it would be an athlete. I was real good in basketball and I got some D-I offers. But I didn't have the grades at the time and I had a kid. So I was weighing my options, if I should go to school or get a job.
On how he turned to football: I had decided on playing basketball and left football along the way. Then my senior year my quarterback asked me to play. I told him if he played basketball I would play football. So I went out there and played and had a great year at wide receiver. I was fast, man.