Duane Hawthorne

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Duane Hawthorne (born August 26, 1976) is a former American football cornerback who played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. He also played in NFL Europe for the Scottish Claymores. He attended Ladue Horton Watkins High School in Ladue, Missouri, where he played both quarterback and cornerback and also ran track. He then played college football at Northern Illinois University, where he started as a backup and became a regular starter. He finished his college career with 166 tackles, 9 interceptions and 22 passes defended in 30 starts.

Hawthorne went undrafted in 1999 but signed with the Cowboys. He made the team and contributed as a nickel and dime cornerback, posting 27 tackles, 3 interceptions and 7 passes defended as a rookie. In 2000, he was sent to the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe, where he was named co-defensive MVP and All-NFL Europe and helped the team reach World Bowl 2000; he also had 38 tackles, 18 passes defensed and 4 interceptions. Back with Dallas, injuries limited his impact that year. In 2001 he earned the starting job at left cornerback in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, finishing with 72 tackles, 2 interceptions, 9 passes defensed and 3 special teams tackles. In 2002 he started 5 games with 25 tackles, 1 interception and 4 passes defensed before being waived in December. He then signed with the 49ers on December 11, 2002 and played in the playoff loss to Tampa Bay.

After his playing career, Hawthorne coached football at University City High School and Hazelwood West High School in St. Louis. He later became an elementary physical education teacher and is well regarded in his community.

Career NFL statistics: 56 games played, 16 starts, 86 tackles, 6 interceptions. Height 5 ft 10 in, weight 175 lb. Born in St. Louis, Missouri.