10/2/02

Catching up with … Casey Hampton

	Casey Hampton

Former Longhorns DT Casey Hampton, a two-time All-American during his UT career (1999-2000), has carried his collegiate success to the next level. A first-round draft pick (19th overall) of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2001 NFL Draft, Hampton helped lead the Steelers to a 13-3 record, the AFC Central Division Championship and a berth in the AFC Championship Game a year ago. The 2000 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year played in all 18 games as a rookie (including playoffs), including starting the final 13 games for the NFL's top-ranked defense. The Galveston native had 34 tackles, one sack and fumble recovery in 2001. This season, Hampton has started all three games and recorded 10 tackles and a sack. He recently took some time out of his busy schedule to talk about life in the NFL, his time at Texas and this year's Longhorns.

On how his NFL career has gone thus far …
"My career is going well right now. I think it was a big change going from college to the NFL because things are a lot different. People think it's all fun up here, and it can be at times, but you have to look at it as a job and a business. In college, you also go to school, but here, you come to work to play football. It takes up a lot more time than you would think."

On helping the Steelers win the AFC Central Division title as a rookie …
"It was exciting. The season was very long, but to come in and do that was incredible. I really didn't know how fortunate I was to do that because everyone says that it's really hard to do. You have to take advantage of those opportunities because you never know when you'll have the chance to be in that position again."

On playing in the city of Pittsburgh …
"This is a football town. When we win, everyone is happy, but when we lose, everyone is mad. It's the type of town you want to be in. Every game is sold out and they are die hard up here. It's a very fun place to play."

On what what adjustments he has had to make playing in the NFL …
"I had to adjust my role when I came to the league. At Texas, I was more of a playmaker. I was to get on the field to make big plays. Now, my job is to hold the linemen and let the linebackers make the plays. That was a big adjustment for me. I had to get used to not being able to make as many plays as I did in college. I can't be selfish because I have to play for the team. That's the concept of our defense."

	Former Longhorns DT Casey Hampton helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 13-3 record, the AFC Central Division title and a berth in the AFC Championship Game as a rookie in 2001.

On what he took from his experience at UT to the NFL …
"I think the work ethic I developed at Texas has helped me a lot. When you're here at this level, everyone is already good and it comes down to who outworks who and who has the best technique. You have to go out there and compete everyday. That's something that I always did at Texas and it has carried over to my pro career."

On how the UT coaching staff helped his development …
"The coaches at Texas didn't treat us like kids. They treated us like adults. I think that helped a lot and carried me a long way because the coaches in the NFL treat us like men. I think a lot of guys who were babied in college are having a harder time adjusting now."

On his fondest memories of Texas …
"I think the family-type atmosphere and the rowdiness of the fans are some of the things that I remember the most. I made a lot of friends on the team while being around them and playing with them for five years. Those relationships are going to last a lifetime. It was more than just playing football with them. Football will always be there, but the relationships I built with my teammates mean a lot more."

On what he misses the most about Texas …
"I think being at school and in college is what I miss the most. It never seemed like football was as much of a job as it is now. Going out with your friends and having a good time took the pressure off a little bit. It's fun now, but when you have friends who are at the same level as you are, hanging out and relaxing with them is really enjoyable."

On if he talks to his former UT teammates currently playing in the NFL …
"I talk to a few of them. I talk to Cedric (Woodard) and Shaun (Rogers) pretty regularly. When we talk, it's not usually about football but other things. We are around football all the time, so when I talk to my friends, I don't want to talk about it too much."

On watching Texas play …
"I love to watch Texas play. I catch them on TV as much as I can. When they lose, I think I feel just as bad as they do because I know a lot of them and want them to win so badly. I really fight for them when they win. Every Saturday, I'm out here bragging on my Texas boys to the guys out here, so it's a lot of fun."

On the advice he gives to this year's Longhorns …
"I try to help the younger defensive guys out. I try to give advice on what they need to do to make it to this level. You have to always play hard and use your head. Those are the things the NFL wants you to do. I try to help them out as much as possible."

On the job Defensive Coordinator Coach Reese has done in his five years at UT …
"I think Coach Reese makes it fun for the athletes because they get to go out there and bring it every time. Most players like that aggressive style. I think being on defense is like a family. You love playing for each other and everyone gets excited when a member of the family makes a play. That's what makes it fun to play for Coach Reese's defense. Everyone pulls for each other and gets excited."