Jason Hatcher

Jason Dewayne Hatcher (born July 13, 1982) is an American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. He played college football at Grambling State University, and was drafted in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

Early years
Hatcher was born in Alexandria, Louisiana and was raised in Jena and attended Jena High School where he lettered in football and basketball. As a senior, he helped his team to a 10-3 record and earned All-State honors after catching 28 passes for 1,028 yards as a wide receiver and tight end.

College career
Hatcher attended Grambling State University where he majored in physical education. As a true freshman, he was ruled academically ineligible because he didn't meet the NCAA requirements. In 2002, he was granted a medical redshirt after rupturing his right ACL.

In 2003, as a sophomore he started at tight end and caught one pass for 14 yards and a two-point conversion before being gradually converted to defensive end midway through the season. After the switch he earned a starting position, recorded 13 tackles, three sacks and one pass broken up. In 2004, as a junior, he played his first full season at defensive end and finishing with 33 tackles, 10 for losses and five sacks.

As a senior he helped his team win the conference title with an undefeated record (9-0) and a mythical co-Black college football national championship (11-1 overall), while having an outstanding year of his own, recording 65 tackles and 10 sacks, and being named an all-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection. He finished his college career with 111 tackles, 31.5 for losses and 18.5 sacks.

Professional career
Hatcher was drafted in the 3rd round (92nd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. His selection at the time was questioned because of his lack of production in college, but the team was high on his athletic ability and potential for their 3–4 defense.

As a rookie, Hatcher played in 14 games, missing two with a sprained ankle. For the season, he recorded 13 tackles, one for a loss and 2.5 sacks. In 2007, he played in all 16 games and recorded 35 tackles, three for losses and two sacks, while forcing one fumble. In 2008, Hatcher recorded 36 tackles, one for a loss, one pass broken up and one sack. In 2009, he played in all 16 games and recorded 29 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup.

For the most part of his career with the Cowboys he was a reserve player (his first start was in 2010) and seen as a disappointment, until he resigned with the team in 2011 after not receiving much interest in the free agent market. That season he established himself as one of the team starters at defensive end ahead of Marcus Spears and improved his pass rushing abilities, recording a career high of 4.5 sacks.

Personal life
Hatcher and his wife Natasha have two sons, DiCarlos and Jason, Jr. and one daughter, Tamia. He is a relative of Bryant Purvis, who was facing attempted murder charges as one of the Jena Six. Charges have since been reduced to aggravated battery.