AMERICA | Andrew Hawkins, a former American football wide receiver, has inspired many after earning a Master’s degree in Sports Management from Columbia University with a perfect 4.00 GPA, all while actively playing professional football.
Hawkins played six seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, and two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. \
Andrew's Story and How He Did It
His journey started at Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in football and track. By his senior year, he had already rushed for 562 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
He later attended the University of Toledo, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback, becoming the first player in 48 years to play both positions.
Over four seasons, he appeared in 37 games, recorded 67 receptions, 1,107 yards, and five touchdowns. In 2015, while still playing professionally, Hawkins made the bold decision to pursue graduate studies.
During htis period, he boarded a plane every week to attend classes at Columbia University in New York. His routine was intense: traveling from Tampa to New York, and later from Los Angeles after relocating with his wife and three children.
Despite the long flights, demanding training schedules, and family responsibilities, Hawkins remained committed. He would pick up a week’s worth of academic work, attend full-day classes, then fly back the same day to resume training and parenting duties.
His dedication paid off when he graduated with top honors. On his graduation cap, he proudly wrote: “Just as smart as I am quick. Shuttle: 4.0, GPA: 4.0.”
Speaking on how he managed the workload, Hawkins said the process was tough but fulfilling. “People know how rigorous playing professional football is. There’s no downtime. I’d be up by 4 a.m. catching flights for class, then back on the field the next morning,” he said.
He also shared what motivated him to pursue education while still in the NFL: “Playing in the NFL is a dream, but it’s also an opportunity — one I wanted to ma
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