Mike Scully Golf/Football 

Hatten Twins Chasing Their Dreams!

It’s been 36 years since I signed a free agent contract with defending Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins. It was a dream of mine since I was a little boy to play professional football. I relish in the fact that I was able to fulfill that dream, even though it didn’t last as long as I would have liked. Injuries and a faithful Monday night in the Meadowlands against Bill Parcells and his Giants, and that’s all I need to say as it took a decade or more to clear my head of that night. 

Enough about me! I have the privilege to share a story about two outstanding young men, Hogan & Hayden Hatten. In full disclosure I’ve know these boys since they were 10 years old. They played every sport they could and where on my oldest son Peyton’s travel baseball team. I knew at 10 years old that these two were special. They had a competitive spirit that was unlike any of the other kids we were around. They were a great influence on my youngest now 16-year-old Jack. That spirit was one that they didn’t want to beat you, they wanted to destroy you! As they grew into their bodies, I knew football was going to be their ticket. Even know they were twins; they each had their own identity on the field. Hogan played linebacker and was your prototype Brian Urlacher type high school player. Unbelievable nose for the ball and would hit you like a brickhouse. Being physical wasn’t his only trait, he developed himself into one of the best long snappers in the country. Hayden on the other hand, and I will be talking about his “hands”! He played H Back/Wide Out in high school and was All-World. I mean if he was standing in Phoenix and the QB threw it to LA he would catch it. I have been around this game for over 50 years, and he has the best hands I’ve ever seen. 

After winning a State Championship at Saguaro High School (SagU), they had some tough choices to make on where they were going to play in college. Hayden had a little more interest from schools, but because of their love for each other, they wanted to compete in college on the same team. Both were accepted to Brown and Columbia but enter Coach Paul Petrino and the University of Idaho! They loved Coach and what he offered them at Idaho. The most famous Vandal Football Alumni is “Stink” Mark Schlereth, and the boys were hoping Idaho would give them the opportunity to chase their dreams and play college ball together, and little did we know the opportunity at the highest level the NFL. 

Idaho provided them both the opportunity to excel at each of their crafts. Hogan developed into one of the top long snappers in the country and may end up being the best. Hayden had one of the most decorated Idaho careers at wide receiver and will go down in the Idaho record books with some records that may never be broken. Their teams were successful as well making the play-offs and filling the Kibbie Dome. As they both decided that they would forego any eligibility remaining and declare for the NFL draft, their preparation elevated. As they moved towards the draft, the unknown of this process can drive you “bat shit” crazy. Are you a 3rd round or 6th round or undrafted free agent, you must be prepared for all scenarios. Someone told me a long time ago in this process, you need only one to love you!  This is where I knew they would find their way based on 2 things, the way they would prepare, and the way they were raised by Matt “AKA – The Cheese” and Lourdes Hatten. Lots of love and accountability! Dad is 6’8, but it is mom that steers the ship, and these two young men were going to be prepared for whatever happened during the draft.  

The final day of the draft was intense, as they were watching players come off the board, and taking calls from their agent on possibilities for being picked as well as where the best place would be to sign as a free agent. The free agent process maybe be more intense than being picked. Being picked is great, but you may also be stuck in what could be a bad situation depending how their roster is filled with players. Having the ability to have multiple opportunities to sign, you can take a deep dive into team’s rosters, philosophies on free agents and pick the best situation for you to make the team. That’s the challenge Hogan & Hayden were faced with, and I believe they picked the best scenarios for each of their talents.  

Hayden made the decision to stay in the pacific northwest and sign with the Seattle Seahawks. He was the only wide receiver signed and they have got a young man that will outwork anybody on the roster and catch anything thrown his way. He’ll be a big hit when he’s one handing salmon thrown his way at Pike Place Fish Market. Hogan signed with the Detroit Lions as their prospective long snapper. The Motor City and my favorite coach Dan Campbell signed a young man that will represent everything the Lions are building in Detroit. Tough, hard noised, and the ability to bite kneecaps. 

I couldn’t be prouder of these two young men! They worked their tails off to get into this position to chase their dreams. Don’t be shocked when these two undrafted free agents make their respective 53-man rosters. The biggest challenge maybe placed on mom and dad on how they will be able to see both play. A challenge I know they will both relish in. 

Good luck Hogan & Hayden!

Mike Scully