Rodney Craig Hampton (born April 3, 1969)[1][2] is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He was a starting running back for the 1990 New York Giants who finished the year at 13-3 during the regular season while winning Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991.
After his rookie season was cut short due to injury, Hampton emerged as the team's most consistent offensive weapon over the next five seasons. He broke the 1,000 yard mark each year from 1991–1995.[2][3] Following the 1995 season, Hampton was signed to a free agent offer sheet by the San Francisco 49ers, but the Giants quickly matched, and he remained in New York.[4] Hampton rushed for over 800 yards in the 1996 season[5] sharing carries with Tyrone Wheatley, but in 1997, Hampton underwent preseason arthroscopic surgery for a knee injury sustained in late in the 1996 season, and was only able to return to the team to see action in 2 late-season games, plus the Giants' lone playoff game.[6] The Giants released Hampton prior to the 1998 season, and though he announced his intention to continue playing and a couple of teams reportedly enquired with his agent, having received no offers once the season began, Hampton opted to retire.[6]
