Brian Hamilton
@brianchamilton.bsky.social
Senior enterprise writer for The Athletic. A lot of ins, a lot of outs, a lot of what-have-yous.
Pinned
The NFL’s most anonymous men are also the happiest: ‘My life’s not real’
'People think it’s impossible to get in (as a long snapper). It’s damn near impossible to stay in.'
www.nytimes.com
"I tell people, my life's not real."
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Wrote about football. And people. And the wonderfully weird world of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
A journey to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where the Lions and Packers draw the lines
On a swath of land in Michigan, Lions and Packers fans live side-by-side. They're called the Yoopers.
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Wrote about football. And people. And the wonderfully weird world of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Happy Thanksgiving.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Special Teams Series Sunday @theathletic.com:
🏈 My story on long snappers, and their football nirvana: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 @mikedugar.bsky.social on Marquette King: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6810455
🏈 @danrobson.bsky.social on a kicking revolution: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6814741
🏈 My story on long snappers, and their football nirvana: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 @mikedugar.bsky.social on Marquette King: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6810455
🏈 @danrobson.bsky.social on a kicking revolution: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6814741
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Special Teams Series Sunday @theathletic.com:
🏈 My story on long snappers, and their football nirvana: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 @mikedugar.bsky.social on Marquette King: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6810455
🏈 @danrobson.bsky.social on a kicking revolution: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6814741
🏈 My story on long snappers, and their football nirvana: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 @mikedugar.bsky.social on Marquette King: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6810455
🏈 @danrobson.bsky.social on a kicking revolution: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6814741
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Marquette King boomed punts downfield, then celebrated with moves tailored to his opposition, carving out a distinct persona at a position known for anonymity.
That persona may also be the reason he has spent the last several years out of the NFL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
That persona may also be the reason he has spent the last several years out of the NFL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
November 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Marquette King boomed punts downfield, then celebrated with moves tailored to his opposition, carving out a distinct persona at a position known for anonymity.
That persona may also be the reason he has spent the last several years out of the NFL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
That persona may also be the reason he has spent the last several years out of the NFL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
"I tell people, my life's not real."
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
The NFL’s most anonymous men are also the happiest: ‘My life’s not real’
'People think it’s impossible to get in (as a long snapper). It’s damn near impossible to stay in.'
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
"I tell people, my life's not real."
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
From @theathletic.com: Behold the long snapper, the last happy man in football. At a position more or less immune to the bloodthirst of the sport — to the idea of earning a living by inflicting pain — a snapping career can be a rapture. nyti.ms/3LPTjRR
November 20, 2025 at 5:49 PM
From @theathletic.com: Behold the long snapper, the last happy man in football. At a position more or less immune to the bloodthirst of the sport — to the idea of earning a living by inflicting pain — a snapping career can be a rapture. nyti.ms/3LPTjRR
It's Long Snapper Story Day!
Or I wrote stuff about them for @theathletic.com, anyway.
🏈 On the NFL's last happy men, and the football nirvana they're chasing: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 On Jon Dorenbos, who turned tragedy and football into magic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6780425
Or I wrote stuff about them for @theathletic.com, anyway.
🏈 On the NFL's last happy men, and the football nirvana they're chasing: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 On Jon Dorenbos, who turned tragedy and football into magic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6780425
November 20, 2025 at 9:52 PM
It's Long Snapper Story Day!
Or I wrote stuff about them for @theathletic.com, anyway.
🏈 On the NFL's last happy men, and the football nirvana they're chasing: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 On Jon Dorenbos, who turned tragedy and football into magic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6780425
Or I wrote stuff about them for @theathletic.com, anyway.
🏈 On the NFL's last happy men, and the football nirvana they're chasing: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6802946
🏈 On Jon Dorenbos, who turned tragedy and football into magic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/6780425
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by maybe a half-dozen plays every week.
Behold, the last happy man in football.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPMqwH
Behold, the last happy man in football.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPMqwH
November 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by maybe a half-dozen plays every week.
Behold, the last happy man in football.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPMqwH
Behold, the last happy man in football.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPMqwH
"I'm about to kick some ass!" Jon Dorenbos tells an arena full of people at a Tony Robbins event.
While reporting on long snappers, I went on a ride - in every way - with the most famous one in the world.
Life is magic, indeed. @theathletic.com story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
While reporting on long snappers, I went on a ride - in every way - with the most famous one in the world.
Life is magic, indeed. @theathletic.com story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
November 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"I'm about to kick some ass!" Jon Dorenbos tells an arena full of people at a Tony Robbins event.
While reporting on long snappers, I went on a ride - in every way - with the most famous one in the world.
Life is magic, indeed. @theathletic.com story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
While reporting on long snappers, I went on a ride - in every way - with the most famous one in the world.
Life is magic, indeed. @theathletic.com story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
"I tell people, my life's not real."
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
The NFL’s most anonymous men are also the happiest: ‘My life’s not real’
'People think it’s impossible to get in (as a long snapper). It’s damn near impossible to stay in.'
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
"I tell people, my life's not real."
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
To be an NFL long snapper is to have your worth measured by a half-dozen plays every week.
It's also a shot at football nirvana.
A story for @theathletic.com on the sport's last happy men, and what they're chasing.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
There’s a kicking revolution afoot in the NFL, a league that has seen 46 field goals of 60 yards or longer in its 105-year history, more than half coming since 2020.
November 19, 2025 at 4:55 PM
There’s a kicking revolution afoot in the NFL, a league that has seen 46 field goals of 60 yards or longer in its 105-year history, more than half coming since 2020.
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
I went on a journey — to Las Vegas, San Diego, Dallas, and Buffalo — to learn about the NFL’s long-distance kicking revolution.
From a camp of pro hopefuls to Brandon Aubrey, Cameron Dicker, Cam Little and more.
Here’s my story on the art of kicking.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
From a camp of pro hopefuls to Brandon Aubrey, Cameron Dicker, Cam Little and more.
Here’s my story on the art of kicking.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
November 19, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I went on a journey — to Las Vegas, San Diego, Dallas, and Buffalo — to learn about the NFL’s long-distance kicking revolution.
From a camp of pro hopefuls to Brandon Aubrey, Cameron Dicker, Cam Little and more.
Here’s my story on the art of kicking.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
From a camp of pro hopefuls to Brandon Aubrey, Cameron Dicker, Cam Little and more.
Here’s my story on the art of kicking.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The third College Football Playoff rankings of the season are out.
◻️ Oklahoma moves into top 10
◻️ Alabama’s slide should raise flags for Oregon
◻️ Winning out might not be enough for Vandy
Read more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
◻️ Oklahoma moves into top 10
◻️ Alabama’s slide should raise flags for Oregon
◻️ Winning out might not be enough for Vandy
Read more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
November 19, 2025 at 2:38 AM
The third College Football Playoff rankings of the season are out.
◻️ Oklahoma moves into top 10
◻️ Alabama’s slide should raise flags for Oregon
◻️ Winning out might not be enough for Vandy
Read more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
◻️ Oklahoma moves into top 10
◻️ Alabama’s slide should raise flags for Oregon
◻️ Winning out might not be enough for Vandy
Read more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Six days after he was fired, James Franklin went on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and made it clear he wanted to coach again.
Now he's the first major hiring of the coaching carousel.
Details:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Now he's the first major hiring of the coaching carousel.
Details:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Virginia Tech finalizing hiring James Franklin to be next coach: Source
“We’re just going to go win the national championship somewhere else now," Franklin said a week after being fired.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Six days after he was fired, James Franklin went on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and made it clear he wanted to coach again.
Now he's the first major hiring of the coaching carousel.
Details:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Now he's the first major hiring of the coaching carousel.
Details:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Alabama dropped to No. 10 while No. 22 North Texas moved into the rankings for the second time in school history and first since 1959.
The latest AP Poll Top 25 ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
The latest AP Poll Top 25 ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
November 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Alabama dropped to No. 10 while No. 22 North Texas moved into the rankings for the second time in school history and first since 1959.
The latest AP Poll Top 25 ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
The latest AP Poll Top 25 ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
what in the blue hell is going on in College Station
November 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
what in the blue hell is going on in College Station
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The costs of college football games have swelled out of control.
What was once an affordable autumn excursion for a family of four has become a series of $1,000 (or more) weekends.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPHMJh
What was once an affordable autumn excursion for a family of four has become a series of $1,000 (or more) weekends.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPHMJh
November 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The costs of college football games have swelled out of control.
What was once an affordable autumn excursion for a family of four has become a series of $1,000 (or more) weekends.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPHMJh
What was once an affordable autumn excursion for a family of four has become a series of $1,000 (or more) weekends.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPHMJh
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
We started in Week 1 with a simple question: Is college football pricing out the middle class?
Our answer involves 9-figure stadium renovations, rev-sharing and a lot of people like Ann, an 83 YO retired grade school teacher who's been going to games since 1960.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Our answer involves 9-figure stadium renovations, rev-sharing and a lot of people like Ann, an 83 YO retired grade school teacher who's been going to games since 1960.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
What happens when college football games are only for the rich? Some faithful fans are finding out
Special moments and memories attending college football games are priceless — until they aren't.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
We started in Week 1 with a simple question: Is college football pricing out the middle class?
Our answer involves 9-figure stadium renovations, rev-sharing and a lot of people like Ann, an 83 YO retired grade school teacher who's been going to games since 1960.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Our answer involves 9-figure stadium renovations, rev-sharing and a lot of people like Ann, an 83 YO retired grade school teacher who's been going to games since 1960.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
AJ Dybantsa is projected to be one of the top three picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, largely because of his physical skills.
But as his BYU coaches have come to learn, he also possesses an intellectual curiosity that sets him apart.
But as his BYU coaches have come to learn, he also possesses an intellectual curiosity that sets him apart.
November 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
AJ Dybantsa is projected to be one of the top three picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, largely because of his physical skills.
But as his BYU coaches have come to learn, he also possesses an intellectual curiosity that sets him apart.
But as his BYU coaches have come to learn, he also possesses an intellectual curiosity that sets him apart.
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
What makes BYU star AJ Dybantsa special? His size, athleticism and skill obviously. But his separator might be a curiosity that reminds one of his coaches of a young Shane Battier: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
A potential No. 1 draft pick's secret sauce? AJ Dybantsa 'is so intellectually curious'
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
What makes BYU star AJ Dybantsa special? His size, athleticism and skill obviously. But his separator might be a curiosity that reminds one of his coaches of a young Shane Battier: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
It’s not far-fetched to think Matt LaFleur is fighting for his job as the Packers head coach for the rest of this season.
Monday night’s loss to the Eagles at Lambeau Field might’ve been rock bottom.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPCWcw
Monday night’s loss to the Eagles at Lambeau Field might’ve been rock bottom.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPCWcw
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
It’s not far-fetched to think Matt LaFleur is fighting for his job as the Packers head coach for the rest of this season.
Monday night’s loss to the Eagles at Lambeau Field might’ve been rock bottom.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPCWcw
Monday night’s loss to the Eagles at Lambeau Field might’ve been rock bottom.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPCWcw
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit against LSU, asking a Louisiana court to confirm the school fired him without cause and that he is owed the full remaining value of his contract.
His full buyout is about $53 million.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPC4sd
His full buyout is about $53 million.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPC4sd
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit against LSU, asking a Louisiana court to confirm the school fired him without cause and that he is owed the full remaining value of his contract.
His full buyout is about $53 million.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPC4sd
His full buyout is about $53 million.
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TPC4sd
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
In this week’s Top 25, I hit on the offenses of Arizona, Alabama, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Indiana and Michigan State: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Men’s college basketball Top 25: Arizona, UNC rise after big week for freshmen
First-year players keyed the big movers in this week's men's college basketball top 25.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
In this week’s Top 25, I hit on the offenses of Arizona, Alabama, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Indiana and Michigan State: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Brian Daboll was finally burned by playing with fire with Jaxson Dart’s health. The quarterback left Sunday’s game with a concussion between the third and fourth quarters after Daboll said he alerted trainers that Dart, “just didn’t seem right.”
November 10, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Brian Daboll was finally burned by playing with fire with Jaxson Dart’s health. The quarterback left Sunday’s game with a concussion between the third and fourth quarters after Daboll said he alerted trainers that Dart, “just didn’t seem right.”
Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Thousands of sorority women from the 18 houses that power Alabama’s Greek life take part in a tradition born of football religion that’s become its own cultural rite, platform and ecosystem.
More on the phenomenon ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
More on the phenomenon ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
When sorority influencers meet Alabama football, game days turn into a campus-wide catwalk
The outfits are grand and unapologetically bougie. For some women, this is the stage to cash in on the influencer cachet sweeping campuses.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Thousands of sorority women from the 18 houses that power Alabama’s Greek life take part in a tradition born of football religion that’s become its own cultural rite, platform and ecosystem.
More on the phenomenon ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
More on the phenomenon ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...