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Chris Hovan
Chris Hovan
Chris Hovan
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Christopher James Hovan (born May 12, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft and played for that team from 2000 to 2004.

Key Information

Hovan then played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005 to 2009. He was also a member of the St. Louis Rams in 2010 but spent the entire season on injured reserve.

Early life

[edit]

Hovan grew up in Rocky River, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He is the youngest of three children.

He played high school football at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. During his career, he earned many honors and awards, including an honorable mention All-American by USA Today and All-City and All-State by The Plain Dealer. He finished his high school career with a school record 28 career sacks. He also played lacrosse, earning All-State recognition.

College career

[edit]

Hovan played college football at Boston College. As a senior, he was an All-American and a semi-finalist for the Lombardi Award. He also became the first player in Boston College history to be named All-Big East three times. He finished his career starting 43 of 45 games, recording 20.5 sacks.

Professional career

[edit]

Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

Hovan was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 25th overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft.[2] He would go on to play five years for the Vikings, playing in 77 games, recording 192 tackles and 17 sacks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]

On April 1, 2005, Hovan signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had a good first season with the Bucs, helping them win the NFC South and finish as the number one ranked defense. Hovan was released on April 26, 2010.[3]

St. Louis Rams

[edit]

On June 9, 2010, Hovan signed with the St. Louis Rams.[4] On August 6, 2010, Hovan was placed on injured reserve due to a back injury, ending his 2010 season.[5]

NFL statistics

[edit]
Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Comb Solo Ast Sack FF FR Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2000 MIN 16 46 41 5 2.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2001 MIN 16 43 29 14 6.0 2 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2002 MIN 16 52 38 14 5.5 0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 4
2003 MIN 16 27 19 8 2.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 4
2004 MIN 13 20 11 9 1.5 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2005 TB 16 45 35 10 0.0 0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2006 TB 16 51 40 11 2.0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2007 TB 16 48 31 17 1.5 0 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2008 TB 15 43 36 7 1.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2009 TB 16 33 26 7 0.5 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Career[6] 156 408 306 102 22.0 2 8 0 0 0.0 0 0 15

Coaching career

[edit]

Hovan was named assistant strength & conditioning coach for the South Florida Bulls in 2011.[7]

Hovan was signed by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League as their defensive line coach on January 9, 2013. He was the defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL for the 2013 season.

Hovan coached in the AFL with the Tampa Bay Storm for three seasons.

From 2017 to 2018, Hovan was the co-defensive coordinator for the Warriors football team at Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, Florida.

Personal life

[edit]

Hovan has contributed to the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.[8]

In April 2015, Hovan was charged with leaving the scene of a crash without providing information.[9] A month later he was charged with a DUI with property damage or injury.[9] In December 2018, Hovan was court ordered to stay away from his wife and children due to domestic violence allegations.[9] On November 30, 2020, Hovan was arrested and booked for another DUI, this time with his child in the passenger seat.[10] He reportedly had a BAC of .31 which is over three times higher than Florida's .08 limit.[10]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chris Hovan

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from Grokipedia
Christopher James Hovan (born May 12, 1978) is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Hovan attended Boston College, where he emerged as one of the top defensive linemen in college football, earning first-team All-Big East honors three consecutive years from 1997 to 1999—the first player in school history to achieve that feat. In his senior season of 1999, he recorded 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and a team-high 11 sacks, earning unanimous first-team All-Big East selection and consensus All-American honors as a member of the Burger King Coaches' All-America Team. Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round (25th overall) of the , Hovan quickly established himself as a starter and earned All-Rookie Team honors that year. Over five seasons with the Vikings (2000–2004), he amassed 17 sacks and 192 tackles, including a standout 2001–2002 stretch with 11.5 sacks and a Second-Team selection in 2002 by the . Signing with the as a in 2005, Hovan transitioned to nose tackle and contributed to a dramatic improvement in the team's run defense, rising from 19th to fifth in the that year; he played through 2009, adding five more sacks to his career total. In 156 career games (all starts in his final seasons), Hovan totaled 22 sacks, 454 tackles (319 solo), and eight fumble recoveries, retiring after a brief stint on injured reserve with the in 2010.

Early years

Early life

Chris Hovan was born on May 12, 1978, in . He grew up in Rocky River, a suburb of . Hovan has a brother, Jeffrey Allen Hovan, who passed away in 2021.

High school career

Chris Hovan attended St. Ignatius High School in , Ohio, where he competed on both the football and teams during his prep career. His family's encouragement for athletic pursuits from an early age supported his involvement in these sports. In football, Hovan distinguished himself as a defensive standout, earning honorable mention All-American recognition from , All-City honors from , and All-State selection. As a senior in 1995, he set a school record with 28 sacks, showcasing his disruptive presence on the defensive line during the Wildcats' successful run of state championships. These accomplishments highlighted his prowess as a pass rusher and tackler at the high school level. Hovan also made significant contributions to the lacrosse team, earning All-State honors for his performance. His dual-sport participation honed his athletic versatility, particularly in defensive positioning and quickness, which translated to benefits in his football role as a lineman.

College career

Boston College

Chris Hovan enrolled at in 1996, where he played for the Eagles football team from 1996 to 1999 under head coach Tom O'Brien. Over his four-year collegiate career, Hovan appeared in 45 games, starting 43 of them, including all games during his final three seasons. His reliability on the defensive line helped anchor the Eagles' front seven during a period of transition in the , contributing to improved defensive performances in his later years. Statistically, Hovan compiled 245 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, and a school-fourth-best 20.5 sacks, showcasing his disruptive presence as a pass rusher and run stopper. In his senior season of 1999 alone, he recorded 75 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and a team-leading 11 sacks, helping the Eagles achieve an 8-4 record—their best since 1984—and earn a berth in the .com Bowl. His efforts were particularly notable in rivalry games, such as a 20-16 over , where he tallied seven solo tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks, and a 24-23 road win at Syracuse. Hovan's standout play earned him widespread recognition, including first-team All-Big East honors in each of his final three seasons (1997–1999), making him the first Boston College player to achieve three-time All-Big East status. As a senior, he was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-American by the , Football News, and , and a semifinalist for the , presented to the nation's top college lineman. These honors underscored his pivotal role in elevating Boston College's defense, which allowed just 22.3 points per game in 1999.

Professional career

Minnesota Vikings

Chris Hovan was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the out of . His standout college performance, including First-team All-American honors in 1999, positioned him as a highly regarded prospect. As a rookie in 2000 under head coach , Hovan quickly adapted to the , starting 13 of 16 games and recording 48 combined tackles along with 2.0 sacks while playing primarily as the left . Over his five seasons with the Vikings from 2000 to 2004, he appeared in 77 games—starting 70—and accumulated 192 combined tackles, 17.0 sacks, and several forced fumbles and recoveries, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the team's defensive line that emphasized run-stopping and interior pressure. His progression included a career-high 6.0 sacks in 2001. In 2002, under new head coach , Hovan earned Second-Team recognition after notching 52 combined tackles and 5.5 sacks, anchoring a defense that ranked among the league's better units against the run. He played a disruptive role in key divisional matchups, such as games against the rival , where his quick penetration often pressured despite the ' challenges in those contests. Hovan's high-motor style and consistency helped stabilize the ' front four during a period of transition following Green's departure.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After being released by the Minnesota Vikings in March 2005, Chris Hovan signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 31, 2005, transitioning from his prior role as a three-technique defensive tackle to nose tackle in the team's Tampa-2 defensive scheme. This move addressed a key need on the Buccaneers' defensive line, where Hovan's high-motor style and run-stopping ability were seen as immediate fits. In his debut season of , Hovan started all 16 games, recording 45 total tackles (35 solo) and leading all defensive linemen in tackles while anchoring an interior line that propelled the team's run defense from 19th in the in 2004 to sixth overall. His contributions were instrumental in Tampa Bay's defensive unit ranking second in the league in total yards allowed, helping the secure the championship with an 11-5 record. Hovan's adaptation to the nose tackle position emphasized clogging running lanes over pass rushing, a shift from his tenure, and he added two fumble recoveries that season. Hovan re-signed with the Buccaneers in March 2006 to a five-year, $17.5 million extension, reflecting his value to the defense. Over his five seasons with (2005–2009), he remained a durable starter, appearing in 79 of 80 games with 79 starts, amassing 220 tackles (162 solo), 5 sacks, and 4 fumble recoveries. His consistent presence bolstered the run defense, leading Buccaneers linemen in tackles multiple times, though the team did not return to playoff contention after 2005. Hovan's tenure ended with his release in April 2010, after which he briefly joined the .

St. Louis Rams

Following his release by the in the 2010 offseason, Chris Hovan signed a one-year with the on June 9, 2010, bringing veteran experience to their defensive line as a . The Rams, who had endured a league-worst 1-15 record in 2009 and were in the midst of a rebuilding effort under head coach , sought seasoned players like Hovan to provide stability while integrating young talent, including first-overall draft pick . Hovan's tenure proved brief, as chronic forced him onto injured reserve on August 6, 2010, during , sidelining him for the entire season without appearing in a single game. This injury marked the end of his on-field contributions for the , where he added nothing to his career statistics in 2010. The back injury ultimately concluded Hovan's 11-year career, leading to his retirement after the 2010 season without returning to play.

Career statistics

Chris Hovan played 156 regular-season games over 10 seasons from 2000 to 2009, primarily as a for the and , recording 412 combined tackles (309 solo, 103 assisted), 22.0 sacks, 58 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 8 fumble recoveries. His career also included 15 passes defended but no interceptions. The following table summarizes Hovan's regular-season statistics by year, including games played (G), games started (GS), combined tackles (Comb), solo tackles (Solo), assisted tackles (Ast), sacks (Sk), tackles for loss (TFL), forced fumbles (FF), and fumble recoveries (FR). Tackle data is available starting from league-wide, with TFL tracked from 1999.
YearTeamGGSCombSoloAstSkTFLFFFR
2000MIN1613484352.01300
2001MIN16164530156.0921
2002MIN16165238145.51102
2003MIN1616271982.0200
2004MIN139201191.5201
2005TB16164535100.0302
2006TB16165240122.0901
2007TB16164731161.5201
2008TB1515433671.0400
2009TB1616332670.5300
Career Totals15614941230910322.05828
Hovan earned Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2002, when he led the Vikings with 52 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Post-playing career

Coaching roles

After retiring from professional football, Chris Hovan transitioned into coaching, beginning with roles focused on strength and conditioning. In 2011, he joined the University of South Florida as an assistant strength and conditioning coach, serving in that position for two years and contributing to the preparation of the Bulls' athletic programs. Hovan then moved to the , where his NFL experience as a informed his approach to line coaching. In 2013, he was hired as the defensive line coach for the , emphasizing technique and physicality drawn from his playing days. By 2014, he had been promoted to , a role he held through the 2015 season, helping guide the team's defensive strategies during that period. In 2017, Hovan took on a high school coaching position as co-defensive coordinator at High School in , focusing on developing young players in the varsity football program through 2018. No public records indicate further professional or high school coaching roles as of 2025.

Broadcasting and media

After retiring from professional football, Chris Hovan has engaged in engagements, where he shares insights from his career, emphasizing , resilience, and life lessons drawn from both on-field successes and personal challenges. These talks often target youth audiences and community groups, focusing on motivational topics such as avoiding pitfalls in young adulthood and the value of perseverance, as evidenced by his participation in panel discussions with coaches and fathers on balancing sports, family, and personal growth. Hovan has made several media appearances, including a 2024 Q&A interview with Collectibles, in which he discussed his lifelong passion for sports card collecting, his rookie experiences with the Minnesota Vikings, and playing alongside Hall of Famer . In September 2025, he appeared on the West War Room Rivals podcast, recounting his experience, memories from the Vikings, and contributions to the ' top-ranked defense during his tenure there. He has also appeared on the Its Too Early podcast alongside Brad Warshaw, discussing topics including the Stoneman Douglas Shooting Tragedy. His social media presence, particularly on Instagram under the handle @hovanchris, serves as a platform for mentoring aspiring athletes and fans, where he posts regularly about football tactics, personal motivation, and youth development as of late 2025, amassing over 2,500 followers. Hovan has occasionally provided commentary on defensive strategies in these digital spaces, leveraging his expertise as a former NFL defensive tackle. While no formal analyst role in NFL coverage is documented, his coaching background lends credibility to his media insights on team dynamics and player preparation.

Personal life

Family and philanthropy

Chris Hovan was married to Jaimi Hovan from 2006 until their separation following a 2018 filing; their as of 2025 is unknown. The couple has four children: their son, Christopher "C.J." Hovan, born in 2007, and twin daughters, Cecelia and Caylynn, born in 2008, along with a fourth child born around 2013. Following his retirement, Hovan emphasized his role as a dedicated family man, prioritizing time with his children in their Tampa-area home as of 2017. Hovan's philanthropic efforts are deeply tied to his family, particularly through support for organizations aiding children with medical challenges. He and his wife became involved with the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater after learning that Hovan's niece has hemophilia, participating in and events to support affected . Similarly, the Hovans contributed to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, motivated by a personal commitment to helping young cancer patients, including organizing and attending charity events focused on pediatric care. Beyond direct philanthropy, Hovan engages in community involvement by mentoring youth, drawing from his own experiences to promote positive development. In 2009, he nominated his high school football coach, Chuck Kyle of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, for the NFL High School Football Coach of the Year Award, highlighting Kyle's influence on his life and athletics; this effort helped Kyle become a finalist, securing a $2,500 award and a $5,000 grant for the school's football program through the NFL Youth Football Fund. Hovan's support for the NFL Youth Football Fund further extends his mentoring role, aiding high school programs that foster character and skills in young athletes. In 2015, Hovan was arrested on May 15 in , for misdemeanor while accompanied by a minor and misdemeanor DUI causing after his vehicle collided with another car on Gunn Highway, resulting in approximately $2,000 in damages. He exhibited signs of impairment, including an odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and failure of field sobriety tests, and refused a blood-alcohol test; an 8-year-old was in his vehicle at the time. Hovan was convicted of the DUI charge. On December 10, 2018, a Hillsborough County judge issued a temporary domestic violence injunction against Hovan at the request of his wife, Jaimi Hovan, granting her possession of their family home in Lutz, Florida, and ordering him to maintain a distance of 500 feet from the residence, 100 feet from her vehicle, and to avoid contact with their four children. The injunction, which required Hovan to surrender all firearms, install alcohol-testing devices on his vehicle and ankle, undergo substance abuse and mental health evaluations, and complete anger management and parenting courses, was extended on December 17, 2018, pending a hearing scheduled for May 8, 2019; the final outcome is unknown as of 2025. A Hillsborough Sheriff's Office report supporting the injunction described Hovan as having violent tendencies, alcoholism, drug abuse issues, and mental health problems, and classified him as armed and dangerous. The same day, Jaimi Hovan filed for divorce in Hillsborough County Circuit Court; the case status as of 2025 is unknown. On November 30, 2020, Hovan was arrested in Oldsmar, Florida, for misdemeanor DUI and felony child neglect after Pinellas County deputies pulled him over on Tampa Road and observed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests; a child was in the passenger seat, and breath tests showed blood-alcohol levels of 0.309 and 0.315, nearly four times Florida's legal limit of 0.08. The child suffered no injuries, and Hovan was released the following day on $5,500 bail; the outcome of the charges is unknown as of 2025.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HovaCh20.htm
  2. https://bceagles.com/news/1999/12/9/Football_Standout_Chris_Hovan_Receives_Accolades
  3. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/game-day-spotlight-chris-hovan-2173271
  4. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-hovanchr001
  5. https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Chris_Hovan
  6. https://www.jardinefh.com/obituaries/jeffrey-hovan
  7. https://library.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/publications/football/yearbooks/FMINVMG-2001-minnesota-vikings-media-guide.pdf
  8. https://ignatiuswildcats.com/sports/2024/7/9/saint-ignatius-football-records.aspx
  9. http://sibn.weebly.com/uploads/5/4/1/4/541482/2010_football_media_guide_pt._5.pdf
  10. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/boston-college/index.html
  11. https://bceagles.com/news/2000/8/22/Five_Boston_College_Players_Named_To_BIG_EAST_10th_Anniversary_Team
  12. https://bceagles.com/news/1999/10/25/Eagles_Have_Date_In_Carrier_Dome
  13. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-hovan-2187125
  14. https://bceagles.com/news/1999/12/17/Eagles_Prepare_For_Insight_com_Bowl
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/boston-college/1999.html
  16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/allpro.htm
  17. https://www.packers.com/news/favre-hovan-avoid-the-hype-2475489
  18. https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2005/04/02/bucs-sign-hovan-jackson/26151186007/
  19. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/quick-strike-2187439
  20. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/lasting-impression-2173245
  21. https://africa.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2356629
  22. https://www.nfl.com/news/with-draft-behind-bucs-tampa-bay-will-release-hovan-askew-09000d5d817ce1f6
  23. https://africa.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5273104
  24. https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/19097
  25. https://espnsiouxfalls.com/what-ever-happened-to-former-vikings-defensive-tackle-chris-hovan/
  26. https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/sports/2013/2/5/former_buccaneer_chr
  27. https://www.rocketsports-ent.com/chris-hovan-named-defensive-line-coach/
  28. https://www.startribune.com/stu-s-hunt-down-ex-viking-chris-hovan/217968791
  29. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2014/06/28/win-streak-over-at-five/
  30. https://www.tampabay.com/ex-buc-storm-coach-chris-hovan-arrested-on-dui-charge/2229938/
  31. https://www.facebook.com/hovanlive/
  32. https://www.si.com/collectibles/inside-the-hobby/chris-hovan-q-a-spending-paper-route-money-on-cards-playing-next-to-idol-john-randle-joe-montana-rookie-cards
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ2nTi_Msuw
  34. https://www.listennotes.com/top-podcasts/chris-hovan/
  35. https://www.instagram.com/hovanchris/
  36. https://www.instagram.com/hovanchris/reels/
  37. https://patch.com/florida/carrollwood/god-family-football-a-love-story-3a68bbea
  38. https://unicourt.com/case/fl-hil-hovanjaimi-vs-hovanchris-438235
  39. https://www.buccaneers.com/news/returning-the-favor-2143137
  40. https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2020/12/01/former-bucs-player-chris-hovan-faces-dui-child-neglect-charges/
  41. https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/former-buc-chris-hovan-ordered-to-stay-away-from-home-family-in-domestic-violence-case-20181228/
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