Merton Hanks

Merton Edward Hanks (born March 12, 1968) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1990s, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was a five-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection with the 49ers, winning a Super Bowl (XXIX) with the team.

Hanks played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning All-American honors in 1990. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the 49ers and one with the Seattle Seahawks. He is currently a senior associate commissioner for the Pac-12.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

College career

Hanks attended Lake Highlands High School, where he was a district track-and-field champion. He attended the University of Iowa, earning all-Big Ten honors at cornerback. However, at the NFL scouting combine, his 40-yard dash times were very slow, and he was not drafted until the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers with the 122nd overall pick.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Professional career

Despite his low selection, Hanks was selected to four Pro Bowl and three All-Pro teams. He was well known for his interceptions and returns, as well as his unique "chicken dance" celebrations that were later emulated by basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was a member of the 1994 San Francisco team that won Super Bowl XXIX. Hanks finished his career with the Seattle Seahawks, retiring in 1999.

Executive career

Hanks was previously the assistant director of operations for the National Football League, and then the league's vice president of operations in charge of player conduct.<ref name="HanksSuh">Template:Cite web</ref> Hanks began his tenure as Conference USA senior associate commissioner in July 2016, a position in which he was responsible for the conference's football and baseball operations, including officiating, scheduling, game operations, player conduct and safety.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 8, 2020, Hanks became the senior associate commissioner, football operations for the Pac-12 conference.

Hanks regularly embarks on speaking tours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Interceptions					Fumbles
		GP	GS	Comb	Solo	Ast	Sck	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	FF	FR	Yds	TD
1991	SF	13	8	37	—	—	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	1	2	0	0
1992	SF	16	5	64	—	—	0.0	2	5	2.5	4	0	0	0	0	0
1993	SF	16	14	67	—	—	0.0	3	104	34.7	67	1	0	1	0	0
1994	SF	16	16	72	65	7	0.5	7	93	13.3	38	0	0	2	0	0
1995	SF	16	16	63	54	9	0.0	5	31	6.2	23	0	0	2	69	1
1996	SF	16	16	63	54	9	0.0	4	7	1.8	8	0	1	0	0	0
1997	SF	16	16	60	50	10	0.0	6	103	17.2	55	1	0	2	38	1
1998	SF	16	16	48	42	6	0.5	4	37	9.3	37	0	1	1	0	0
1999	SEA	12	1	22	15	7	2.0	2	30	15.0	23	1	0	0	0	0
Career		137	108	496	280	48	3.0	33	410	12.4	67	3	4	10	107	2