Most people think they know the story. You’ve got the stone-faced linebacker from Ohio State and the golden-boy quarterback from Notre Dame. On paper, it’s a collision course. In reality, it’s one of the most stable and genuinely fascinating family dynamics in the history of the NFL.
If you were watching the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, you saw the peak of the drama. A.J. Hawk was flying around the field for the Buckeyes, basically trying to put his future brother-in-law, Brady Quinn, into the turf. Standing in the stands was Laura Quinn—Brady’s sister and A.J.’s then-girlfriend—wearing a custom-sewn jersey that was half-Irish, half-Buckeye. People still talk about that jersey. It’s the visual shorthand for a relationship that shouldn't work but somehow became the foundation for two of the most successful post-playing careers in sports media.
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The Ohio Roots and That Infamous Fiesta Bowl
A.J. Hawk and Brady Quinn aren't just "media guys" who happened to play. They are deeply rooted in the Midwest football machine. Hawk grew up in Centerville, Ohio, eventually becoming the all-time leading tackler for the Green Bay Packers. Quinn was the pride of Dublin, Ohio, before rewriting the record books at Notre Dame.
They met through Laura. Honestly, the timing was wild. By the time they faced off in that January 2006 bowl game, Hawk was already part of the Quinn family circle. Imagine the Sunday dinner vibes after your boyfriend sacks your brother. Hawk ended up with 12 tackles and two sacks that day. Ohio State won 34-20.
Awkward? Maybe for some. But for these two, it solidified a mutual respect that defines them today. They aren't just in-laws; they are peers who navigated the meat grinder of the NFL and came out the other side without losing their minds.
Why AJ Hawk and Brady Quinn Dominant the Airwaves
If you turn on a sports podcast or pregame show in 2026, you're going to see one of them. Or both.
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A.J. Hawk has become the perfect foil for Pat McAfee. While Pat is the high-energy, sleeveless engine of The Pat McAfee Show, A.J. is the "Toxic Table" captain who says more with a smirk and a deadpan delivery than most analysts do in a ten-minute monologue. He’s relatable because he doesn't try too hard. He’s just a guy who happens to have a Super Bowl ring and a freakish ability to sit perfectly still for three hours.
Then you have Brady. Quinn took the more "traditional" route, but he’s mastered it. Between Big Noon Kickoff on FOX and his morning radio show 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe, he’s become the voice of reason. He’s sharp. He’s prepared. He’s got that quarterback brain that breaks down a defensive rotation before the ball is even snapped.
The Media Footprint
- The Pat McAfee Show: A.J. is a daily fixture, providing the "pro's pro" perspective.
- Big Noon Kickoff: Brady is the lynchpin of FOX’s college football coverage.
- 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe: Brady, alongside LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox, dominates the morning drive-time.
- The HawkCast: A.J.’s own platform where he gets into the weeds with high-performers.
The Brother-in-Law Connection Nobody Talks About
It isn't just A.J. and Brady. The family tree is a literal sports almanac. Did you know their other brother-in-law is Jack Johnson? Yeah, the NHL defenseman and Stanley Cup winner. He married Kelly Quinn, Brady and Laura’s younger sister.
Basically, Christmas at the Hawk/Quinn household has more hardware than a Home Depot.
But there’s a nuance here that gets missed. These guys aren't just "famous for being famous." They’ve leveraged their relationship to build a production ecosystem. They appear on each other's shows. They share intel. When Brady tells a story about A.J. sinking a golf cart at a charity event, it’s not a scripted bit. It’s a decades-deep friendship.
They also share a commitment to things that actually matter. Brady’s 3rd and Goal Foundation does massive work for veterans. A.J. has been quietly philanthropic for years, famously growing his hair out for over half a decade just to donate it to Wigs for Kids.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that they are rivals. People love a good "house divided" narrative. But the truth is, they are more like business partners.
They understood earlier than most that the "tough guy" linebacker and "pretty boy" quarterback tropes were boring. Instead, they leaned into being authentic. A.J. is incredibly smart—he’s got a degree in criminology and a curiosity that makes his interviews actually worth listening to. Brady is far grittier than his Notre Dame pedigree suggests. He played through some brutal years in Cleveland and Kansas City, and that perspective gives his analysis a weight that "film-only" guys just don't have.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you're looking at the careers of AJ Hawk and Brady Quinn as a blueprint, there are a few things you can actually apply to your own life or career.
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- Leaning into your "weird": A.J. didn't try to be a polished broadcaster. He leaned into his stoic, slightly "toxic" persona, and it made him a star.
- Preparation is the differentiator: Watch Brady on a Saturday morning. He knows the third-string left tackle for Indiana. That doesn't happen by accident.
- Network horizontally: They didn't just wait for networks to call. They built their own brands, appeared on podcasts, and supported each other's ventures.
The days of the "silent athlete" are dead. A.J. and Brady didn't just survive the transition to the digital age; they spearheaded it. They proved that you can be family, rivals, and business moguls all at the same time, as long as you don't take yourself too seriously.
If you want to understand the modern sports landscape, stop looking at the guys in the suits behind the big desks. Look at the guys with the headsets on, chirping at each other from their home offices in Ohio. That's where the real power is.
Next Steps:
To see this dynamic in action, check out the archives of The HawkCast where Brady and A.J. do long-form sit-downs. It’s a masterclass in how to conduct a high-level conversation with someone you’ve known for twenty years without it becoming a "remember when" session. You should also keep an eye on the 3rd and Goal Foundation events—they often feature the whole family and give a much better look at their "real" lives than any sideline interview ever could.