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Chad Eaton
Chad Eaton
Chad Eaton
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Chad Everett Eaton (born April 6, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Washington State Cougars.

Key Information

Early life

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Eaton attended Governor John R. Rogers High School, where he was a two-way lineman. As a senior, he was an All-State selection and named the Prep Lineman Of The Year by the Washington State Sportswriter Association.

He accepted a football scholarship from Washington State University, but didn't play in his first year because of failing to meet the requirements of Proposition 48.

As a sophomore, he was a backup at defensive tackle, totaling 15 tackles and one sack. As a junior, he became a starter at defensive tackle, making 62 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and one pass defensed.

As a senior, he recorded 69 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 2 blocked kicks and received the Morris Trophy as the best offensive and defensive lineman in the conference. He finished his career with 23 starts in 35 games, 146 tackles (104 solo), 11.5 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries.

Professional career

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Arizona Cardinals

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Eaton was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (241st overall) of the 1995 NFL draft.[1] He was waived on August 14.[2]

New York Jets

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On August 16, 1995, he signed with the New York Jets and was released on August 26.[3][4]

Cleveland Browns

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On September 28, 1995, he was signed to the Cleveland Browns' practice squad.[5] He was promoted to the active roster for the last two games of the season, although he didn't play after being declared inactive. In 1996, the Browns moved to Baltimore and were renamed as the Ravens. He was cut on August 19.[6]

New England Patriots

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On August 27, 1996, he was signed by the New England Patriots. On November 28, he was promoted to the active roster for the final four games of the season and 3 playoff games. He had 4 tackles, one sack and 2 passes defensed. He added 3 tackles and half a sack in the post season.

In 1997, he was a reserve player until earning a start in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins. He finished with 21 tackles, 3 passes defensed and one sack.

In 1998, he earned the starting nose tackle job, posting 69 tackles (ninth on the team), 6 sacks (second on the team), 3 fumble recoveries, 4 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He also received AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors against the Pittsburgh Steelers, after sacking quarterback Kordell Stewart three times and forcing a fumble that was recovered for a touchdown.

In 1999, he recorded 53 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries (led the team) and one forced fumble.

In 2000, he registered 78 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Against the Buffalo Bills he earned special teams player of the week after blocking 2 field goals, which included the potential game-winner in overtime. He was declared inactive in 2 games with a leg injury.

Seattle Seahawks

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On March 9, 2001, he was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks to a four-year deal worth $10.7 million and was team up with defensive tackle John Randle who was another free agent signing. He finished with 57 tackles (led the defensive linemen), one sack, 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

In 2002, he registered 73 tackles (led the defensive linemen), one sack, 3 passes defensed and 3 fumble recoveries (led the team).

On August 12, 2003, he underwent surgery on his right knee. On August 29, he was placed on the injured reserve list.[7] On September 3, he had an emergency knee surgery to remove an infection.[8] He was released on February 27, 2004, after not being able to recover from his previous right knee surgeries.[9]

Dallas Cowboys

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On August 25, 2004, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent to a one-year contract worth $660,000, to be a run specialist.[10] He started the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings in place of a suspended Leonardo Carson. He would be a backup for the next 5 contests, totaling 10 tackles and one quarterback pressure. He was cut on October 30.

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds TD Lng FF FR Yds TD
1996 NWE 4 0 4 3 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1997 NWE 16 1 21 13 8 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1998 NWE 15 14 80 49 31 6.0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0
1999 NWE 16 16 56 38 18 3.0 0 0 0 0 2 3 53 1
2000 NWE 14 13 78 59 19 2.5 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
2001 SEA 16 16 57 44 13 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
2002 SEA 16 16 73 48 25 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1
2004 DAL 6 1 14 9 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
103 77 383 263 120 15.5 0 0 0 0 6 7 56 2

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck Int Yds TD Lng FF FR Yds TD
1996 NWE 3 0 2 2 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1997 NWE 2 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1998 NWE 1 1 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 1 6 6 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life

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Eaton was arrested in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, July 21, 2007, on domestic violence charges.

In 2011, he was hired as the defensive line coach at Central State University. In a November, 2011, interview with the Dayton Daily News, Eaton claimed that Bill Belichick paid him to start fights with other players during practice.[11]

Eaton is now featured as a regular guest host on Seattle, Washington radio station 99.9 FM KISW's BJ SHEA Morning Experience. In a segment called "Hawk-Talk" where he regularly gives predictions and post game analysis of the Seattle Seahawks performance. His segment is each Monday morning usually in the 9 o'clock hour.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chad Eaton

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
''Chad Eaton'' is an American former professional football player known for his career as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 6, 1972, in Exeter, New Hampshire, he played college football at Washington State University and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL Draft. After not making the Cardinals' roster, Eaton signed with the New England Patriots and made his professional debut in 1996, establishing himself as a reliable interior lineman focused on run defense and occasional pass rushing. Over his career from 1996 to 2004, Eaton played in 103 games with 77 starts across multiple teams, including five seasons with the Patriots (1996–2000) where he appeared in postseason play, two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2001–2002), and a final stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. He missed the 2003 season due to injury but was recognized for his durability and contributions to defensive fronts during an era of strong NFL lines. Eaton retired after the 2004 season, leaving a legacy as a solid rotational and starting defensive tackle who occasionally made big plays, including scoring touchdowns on fumble recoveries.

Early Life and Education

Birth and Background

Chad Everett Eaton was born on April 6, 1972, in Exeter, New Hampshire, USA. He attended Rogers High School in Puyallup, Washington. He stands at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) tall, a physical attribute that contributed to his later success as a defensive tackle. Little additional detail is available about his early background prior to high school and college.

College Football Career

Chad Eaton played college football as a defensive tackle for the Washington State Cougars. He did not see action during his freshman year in 1991 due to Proposition 48 academic eligibility requirements. He subsequently lettered for the Cougars from 1992 to 1994, appearing in games across those three seasons after gaining eligibility. Over his career at Washington State, Eaton accumulated 30.5 tackles for loss totaling minus 120 yards, a figure that ranks tied for 10th in school history. Eaton's standout performance came during his senior year in 1994, when he earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors from the conference. He was recognized as the Pac-10's top lineman by winning the Morris Trophy. In addition, Eaton received All-America selections, including third-team honors from the Associated Press and second-team recognition from UPI. He was also chosen to participate in postseason all-star games, including the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl. His strong showing at Washington State, particularly in 1994, contributed to his selection in the 1995 NFL Draft.

Professional Football Career

Entry into the NFL and Early Years

Chad Eaton was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (241st overall) of the 1995 NFL draft following his collegiate career at Washington State. He was released by the Cardinals on August 14, 1995, without appearing in any games. Eaton subsequently signed with the New England Patriots prior to the 1996 season, where he made his professional debut.

New England Patriots Tenure

Chad Eaton played for the New England Patriots from 1996 to 2000, primarily as a defensive tackle and nose tackle. He appeared in 65 regular-season games with 44 starts during his tenure with the team. Eaton served mainly in a reserve role early on, recording 1.0 sack in limited action across 1996 and 1997, before emerging as a full-time starter beginning in 1998. His most productive season with the Patriots came in 1998, when he started 14 of 15 games and achieved a career-high 6.0 sacks to go along with 80 combined tackles. In Week 14 of that season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 6, Eaton earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 3.0 sacks on quarterback Kordell Stewart, forcing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Eaton continued as a starter in 1999 and 2000, contributing 3.0 sacks and 56 combined tackles in the former year, followed by 2.5 sacks and 78 combined tackles in the latter. On December 17, 2000, against the Buffalo Bills, he blocked two field goals in a snowy contest, including a critical 30-yard attempt by Steve Christie with six minutes remaining in overtime that prevented a potential game-winning score and preserved a tie before the Patriots drove for the decisive field goal in a 13-10 victory. For his performance in that game, Eaton was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Over his five seasons with New England, he totaled 13.5 sacks and 239 combined tackles.

Seattle Seahawks Tenure

Chad Eaton signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent prior to the 2001 season, marking the start of a three-year tenure with the team. He quickly established himself as a starter on the defensive line, appearing in and starting all 16 games in both 2001 and 2002 while serving as a key run-stopper for the Seahawks. Eaton led the team's defensive line in tackles during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, contributing significantly to the unit's performance against the run. His 2003 campaign was cut short due to a persistent right knee injury. Eaton underwent arthroscopic surgery in May to remove bone chips, followed by a second procedure in August to address ongoing swelling and related issues. The Seahawks placed him on injured reserve on August 27, 2003, resulting in him missing the entire season. This injury effectively concluded his time with the franchise, as he did not return to play for Seattle in subsequent years.

Dallas Cowboys Stint

Chad Eaton signed with the Dallas Cowboys on August 25, 2004, following his release from the Seattle Seahawks earlier that year. He appeared in six games during the 2004 season, making one start as a defensive tackle. On October 30, 2004, the Cowboys waived him. This concluded his NFL playing career, as he did not appear in any further professional games.

Post-Football Career

Coaching Role

In 2011, Chad Eaton was hired as the defensive line coach at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, where he joined the program under head coach E.J. Junior after being connected through former NFL teammates Ben Coates and Larry Moore. He quickly embraced the role at the historically black university, stating that he had fallen in love with the program and learned more in his first three months there than in his 10 years as an NFL player and his previous coaching stint as a student coach and graduate assistant at Washington State University. In a November 2011 interview with the Dayton Daily News conducted in connection with his new coaching position, Eaton recounted an anecdote from his early NFL days, claiming that while on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in 1995 under head coach Bill Belichick, he was paid extra to instigate fights during practices to spark intensity when sessions dragged. Eaton described Belichick signaling him by saying “It’s time,” after which he would “get on somebody’s [case] and start a little fight,” noting “I was known for that and it paid off on Fridays. There’d always be some extra money in my locker. Practice players don’t make much, so I really appreciated it.” This occurred before Eaton's later tenure with the New England Patriots, where he played under Belichick from 2000 onward.

Media and Broadcasting Work

Following his retirement from the NFL, Chad Eaton pursued broadcasting opportunities in the Seattle area, appearing on local radio. He served as a regular guest host on the BJ Shea Morning Experience, a morning show broadcast on KISW 99.9 FM. As part of the program, Eaton contributed to the weekly Monday morning segment known as "Hawk-Talk," where he offered predictions ahead of Seattle Seahawks games and analysis following matchups. These appearances focused on Seahawks-related content, drawing from his experience as a former player for the team.

Television Appearances

NFL Broadcast Features

Chad Eaton appeared as himself in numerous national NFL game broadcasts during his active playing career, with credits reflecting his participation in televised games as a defensive lineman. These appearances were documented on IMDb as "Self" listings tied to specific networks, years, and his team/position affiliations at the time. He received the most credits on The NFL on CBS, appearing in 16 episodes from 1998 to 2002 as Self while serving as Defensive Tackle or Nose Tackle for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. On NFL on FOX, he was featured in 10 episodes between 2001 and 2004, credited as Self in his role as Defensive Tackle with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. Eaton also appeared in 6 episodes of ESPN's Sunday Night Football from 1996 to 2002 as Self with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks Defensive Tackle, along with 2 episodes of NFL Monday Night Football from 1999 to 2002 in similar Patriots and Seahawks Defensive Tackle capacities. Additionally, he was credited in 1 episode of The NFL on NBC in 1997 as Self with the New England Patriots Defensive Tackle.

Personal Life

Family and Later Activities

Chad Eaton and his former wife have three children together. Following his NFL retirement, Eaton has maintained a connection to the Seattle Seahawks through occasional guest appearances on local radio programs, including the "Hawk-Talk" segment on 99.9 FM KISW's BJ Shea Morning Experience, where he discussed team-related topics. On July 21, 2007, former NFL defensive tackle Chad Eaton was arrested in Monroe, Washington, for investigation of domestic violence. Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies booked him into the Snohomish County Jail at 3:32 p.m. for investigation of fourth-degree assault, domestic violence. Details about the incident were not released at the time. Eaton posted $2,500 bail and was released the following afternoon on July 22, 2007. This arrest occurred after his retirement from professional football.
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