Behind the Scenes with Laura Hawk

Laura Hawk is the wife of A.J. Hawk, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and she is the sister of Brady Quinn, quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. We had the chance to ask Laura a few questions about what it was like to be so close to two NFL players. Here is what she had to say:

Did you grow up a football fan? If yes, what team did you follow?
Yes I grew up a big football fan! My uncles on my mom’s side were both college football players and I grew up cheering them on, and then eventually my brother, and now AJ.

Did you play sports in high school/college?
Yes I played field hockey and softball, also played youth league basketball and cheered. I loved keeping busy and I’m a big competitor!

How did you and A.J. meet?
AJ and I met through a mutual friend who happened to be his Ohio State football roommate during games.  We met initially our sophomore year of college and again after our junior year, when we exchanged numbers. Within a month were boyfriend/girlfriend, said I love you two weeks after that, were engaged 5 months after that in March, and married July 24th at a courthouse! We were just too in love to wait to go get married after the season. We had our real wedding ceremony March 17th in Dublin OH where I’m from. It was a St. Patrick’s Day wedding because I’m Irish from Dublin!

What were your thoughts when AJ got drafted by the Packers and you found out you’d be living in Green Bay?
We were both overjoyed!  AJ and I had hoped he would go to the Packers because we were both Packer fans and Brett Favre fans! We absolutely love the community there and have found our family and home away from home in Green Bay with his teammates and their families. We couldn’t be happier here. We hope he’s a Packer for his entire career!

What is the hardest part about being married to a football player?
I think the hardest thing about being married to a football player is the worry of injury and at times harsh criticism of him or the both of us or our families.  I think its all part of the job however and I like to think we handle it as best as we possibly can. AJ is the most laid back, relaxed guy, he just goes out and does what he loves.  I guess because I’m always in the stands watching, I feel helpless and unable to control anything that occurs so I get a little anxious during the season.  Luckily we haven’t had to move around yet and God willing we hope to be able to stay in Green Bay till AJ’s career is finished!

What surprised you most about being married to an NFL player? What didn’t you expect?
The most surprising thing is how often I get to see him because I think there is a misconception about being married to athletes that they are gone all the time. That may be true in other pro sports, but in football his schedule is really nice and he’s home more than the average business man so I’m pleasantly surprised how much time we get together!!

Do you go to all the games, home and away?
I go to all the home games and I usually pick one or two away games. The team actually returns home right after the game –  they are barely away 24hrs – so it’s usually easier to stay home and watch the away games on T.V.

What is your game day routine?
AJ comes home from the hotel (they always stay in a hotel the night before a game – both home and away) and we have breakfast together and visit with one another and usually the company staying at our house because we always have a full house home game weekends. I then drive him into the stadium and drop him off, return home to get ready, and take our guests to the best stadium in the NFL!!

Home games – do you sit in a suite or in the stadium? Do the wives sit together?
During home games I sit in a box that we share with The Kampmans, Rodgers, Cliftons, and Wells’.  The wives on the team usually when sitting outside are all in the same area and I sit with the wives and guests of the families listed above.

What’s it like after a game? How do you deal w/the aches and pains A.J. must have?
After the game we like to visit with our guests, and just hang out! AJ is usually tired and of course sore.  Occasionally we get together for a cookout or something of that nature with his teammates depending on the outcome of the game.

What is your favorite thing about the football season?
I love everything about football season from the smell in the air that says it’s fall here, to the fans tailgating and enjoying themselves rooting on their team. But most of all I just love watching AJ and my brother Brady play.  It’s so much more exciting when you know them and can feel for them on every play.  I could spot AJ on the field from anywhere even if he wasn’t wearing number 50. I know how he runs, how he tackles, every detail of how he plays and that goes for my brother too.  I love what they do for a living because they are so passionate and it thrills me to see them both fulfilling their childhood dreams!

What is the Super Bowl like if your husband’s team doesn’t make it? Do you watch it at home, go to the game, or totally avoid it?
We always watch it and of course we are excited for those who made it but anytime he’s not in it, it’s kind of a sour feeling.  Especially two seasons ago when they almost made it and lost in the NFC Championship game to the Giants.  That year especially was a let down.

Is your house donned in Packers memorabilia?
Not really. I’m an interior designer so I’m particular about each room in our house and the basement is the only area that has Packers memorabilia because its AJ’s man space!

Are there responsibilities/obligations that the team expects from the wives such as working at charitable events?
We are never expected to do anything, but I am on the Packer’s Women’s Association board and we do many events throughout the year to help in the community, including a food drive which I actually chair.  However, AJ and I like to do charitable things on our own outside of anything organized because we feel that charity should not be done so that others can see and pat you on the back for doing so; we feel charity is part of being a good Christian and serving God and his people, so we prefer to stay under the radar when doing charitable things.  We just want to do all we can for others and make their lives better. We feel blessed for all God has given us and it’s only right to give back.

How do you keep your identity as Laura Hawk and not A.J.’s wife or Brady Quinn’s sister? Do you work outside the home?
I do work. I own my own business, LCH Interiors, selling window treatments and decorating client’s homes.  I suppose anytime you are married or related to people in the spot light that your identity is lost at times but I guess I don’t look at it that way because I’m so proud of what AJ and Brady have accomplished that my pride for them and joy that they are doing what they love overshadows anything else!

What are your career goals?
I’m hoping to bring my business back to Columbus OH when AJ is done playing and expanding it there in a bigger metropolis.  I just took on the window treatment company and that has really kept me busy so I’m hoping to continue to add more custom services that coincide with decorating and windows.

Will you wear a custom jersey to the Packers/Browns game like you did for the Buckeyes/Irish game?
Ha ha No, I think that is one of those things that has already been done and I’m planning to just lay low this time and enjoy the game like everyone else. It’s really hard for me to watch them play each other because I’m so torn emotionally about who I want to win and how I want the game to go.  If they both played on offense or both on defense it would be so much easier but instead my brother is the target for my husband and that is too much for me.  I’m very protective of Brady he’s my LITTLE brother and I’ve watched out for him forever so no matter how old we get I will feel that way about him!  On the flip side of that I love AJ more than words can say and always want him to play his best and do his job!

Laura, we’d like to thank you for taking the time to give us this insightful, thoughtful interview. Brady and A.J. are very lucky to have you in their lives — although we’re sure that they already know that. Good luck to both A.J. and Brady this season. We wish you all the best!