The Redskins Blog

Throwback Thursday: DT Dean Hamel

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Throwback Thursday focuses on a former Redskins player–heralded or otherwise–that made an impact on his burgundy and gold squad. This week, we look at Dean Hamel, a Redskins defensive tackle from 1985-1988. Here is a snapshot of his career:

On a December 1st afternoon in 1985 Joe Montana and the defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers rolled into Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium to take on the Washington Redskins.

In the second quarter, Redskins’ rookie defensive tackle Dean Hamel made a career higlighting play. Backed up in his own end zone, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana dropped back looking to pass down field.

Battling in the trenches, Hamel found himself with no offensive lineman in front of him and a clear path to the quarterback. Hamel sprinted towards Montana, and dove at him, going for the sack.

Montana, reacting to Hamel, threw the ball away and was flagged for intentional grounding.  The Redskins were awarded a safety, making the score 7-5 San Francisco. Unfortunately for the Redskins, they would only score another field goal that day and fall to the 49ers 35-8.

The loss was just Hamel’s fourth career game in the National Football League. He finished his rookie season having started in the Redskins’ final eight games, racking up 67 tackles and six sacks.

A defensive tackle from the University of Tulsa, Hamel was drafted 309th overall in the 12th round of the 1985 draft.

He went on to play for the Redskins for three more years, until he was traded after the 1988 season to the Dallas Cowboys.

Throughout his four seasons as a member of the burgundy and gold, Hamel tallied 12.5 sacks.

Hamel was a member of the Redskins 1987 Super Bowl Championship team that defeated the Denver Broncos 42-10.

After being traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Hamel played for three more seasons in Dallas before injuries forced him into early retirement.

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NRG Solar Bowl Features Star-Power

As part of the unveiling of the brand new partnership with NRG Energy, the Redskins and NRG hosted the “NRG Solar Bowl,” before the game.  Quarterback superstars Joe Theismann, Joe Montana, Mark Rypien, and Doug Flutie were accompanied by NRG Energy CEO David Crane.

The quartet was available for comments before the festivities, and lots of photo opportunities.  They then showed off their own arms, and coached fans through the QB Challenge drills.

After near misses on his first two throws, Theismann said, “We could be here all day.”  He drilled his third throw.

After misses several throws, the double-Super-Bowl-blinged Mark Rypien made the excuse of: “Maybe I should take my rings off.”

Check out the action below:

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