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The Cincinnati Bengals have opted to not to match the Cleveland Browns' offer for Andrew Hawkins, which means his brief career in the Queen City comes to an end.
It wasn't easy for Hawk to leave the city and team who gave him his first real shot at playing in the NFL, and he's grateful for having that opportunity:
Forever greatful is an understatement. 1st class is another...
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) March 18, 2014
Cant thank the Cincinnati Bengals Organization & fans enough for giving me my first fair shot at the best job in all the land...
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) March 18, 2014
That being said, excited to join the Browns (where it all started) & giving all I got to help bring championship football back to Cleveland!
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) March 18, 2014
In eight games last year, he had just 12 receptions for 199 yards and no touchdowns after missing the first-half of the year with an ankle injury. In 2012, he caught 51 passes for 533 yards and four touchdowns.
A former standout at Toledo, Hawkins would be returning to northern Ohio after spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Bengals.
Farewell Baby Hawk.