Steve Hutchinson

Lore & Background

Hutchinson was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and attended Coral Springs High School. He played college football at Michigan from 1996 to 2000, redshirting in 1996 and moving from defensive tackle to offensive guard. He was a four-year starter, did not allow a sack in his final two seasons, and was a unanimous All-American in 2000. He was drafted by Seattle in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft and spent his first five seasons there, making three Pro Bowls and earning three All-Pro honors. He signed a controversial offer sheet with the Vikings in 2006, which included a poison pill provision that prevented Seattle from matching. He played 59 straight games for Minnesota and was released in March 2012. He then signed a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans on March 15, 2012, and retired on March 11, 2013. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 1, 2020.

In Their Own Story

The cold wind howled across the Metrodome's artificial turf as Hutchinson lined up against a massive defensive tackle. With the snap, he didn't just block; he flowed like water around the defender's leverage, sealing the edge with surgical precision. As the running back rocketed through the gap, Hutchinson stood tall, watching the play develop before turning to help on the next down, his jersey number 64 a beacon of stability in a chaotic game.

Reader's Guide

Hutchinson was a five-time First-team All-Pro (2003, 2005, 2007–2009) and two-time Second-team All-Pro (2004, 2006). He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection (2003–2009) and was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. He was also on the PFWA All-Rookie Team (2001), the 50 Greatest Vikings, the Seattle Seahawks 35th Anniversary team, and the Seattle Seahawks Top 50 players. In college, he was a national champion (1997), won the Jim Parker Trophy (2000), and was a unanimous All-American (2000).

Did You Know?

• Hutchinson did not allow a sack during his final two seasons at Michigan.
• He was a two-year team captain and four-year All-Big Ten selection at Michigan.
• The poison pill provision in his Vikings offer sheet led the NFL to ban such clauses.
• Hutchinson started all 157 games he played in during his first 11 NFL seasons.
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.