You don't just get a nickname like "Dino" by being average. Born Barry Dean Hackett, the man basically became a folk hero in Boone, North Carolina, before most NFL fans even knew his name. If you ask an old-school Appalachian State fan about the greatest defensive player to ever wear the black and gold, they won’t point to a recent star. They’ll tell you about Dino Hackett.
He was a force. Honestly, the term "high motor" feels like a massive understatement when you look at what he did in the mid-80s. We’re talking about a guy who once recorded 27 tackles in a single game. That isn't a typo. Against East Tennessee State in 1985, Hackett was everywhere—sideline to sideline, filling gaps, and seemingly hitting every person who touched the ball.
Why Dino Hackett Still Matters in Kansas City
Most people remember the Kansas City Chiefs of the early 90s for "Martyball" and the legendary Derrick Thomas. But before the Chiefs became a perennial defensive powerhouse, Dino Hackett football player was the foundational piece in that linebacker corps.
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Drafted 35th overall in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft, he didn't wait around to make an impact. He was a tackle machine from day one. In his rookie year, he tallied 140 total tackles, leading the team and finishing third in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. He wasn't the flashiest guy on the field, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing about 230 pounds, but he had this uncanny ability to diagnose plays before they happened.
The 1988 Pro Bowl Season
By 1988, the rest of the league finally caught on to what was happening in Kansas City. Hackett was named to the Pro Bowl that year, though a late-season injury unfortunately kept him from actually playing in the game. Even so, that season cemented his status as one of the premier inside linebackers in the AFC.
He finished his Chiefs career with over 600 tackles. While the official NFL "tackle" stat can be a bit wonky depending on which source you use, the Chiefs' internal coaching film always told the same story: #56 was the heart of the defense.
The Appalachian State Icon
Before the NFL, Hackett was doing things at the collegiate level that still defy logic. He wasn't just good; he was "jersey retired" good. Appalachian State officially retired his No. 38 in 1985, the same year he was a consensus First-Team All-American.
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Think about these records he still holds at App State:
- Single-game tackles: 27
- Single-season tackles: 200
- Career solo tackles: 312
- Games with 20+ tackles: He had six of those in a single season.
It’s easy to look at those numbers and think the competition was weaker back then. But watching the old film tells a different story. Hackett played with a level of violence and precision that would have translated to any era. He was the first Mountaineer to ever be invited to the Senior Bowl, basically putting that program on the map for NFL scouts long before their famous upset of Michigan.
What Really Happened with the Seahawks?
Hackett's career ended somewhat abruptly. After six seasons with the Chiefs, he spent a brief, three-game stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 1993.
Injuries were the primary culprit. He had dealt with a significant head and inner ear injury during the 1992 season that kept him off the field entirely. By the time he got to Seattle, his body had taken years of punishment. The "motor" was still there, but the mechanics were wearing down. He retired shortly after, ending an eight-year professional run that saw him play in 88 games and start 82 of them.
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Life After the Gridiron
Kinda rare for a pro athlete, Dino actually went back home and stayed there. He settled in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, near where he grew up in Greensboro. He didn't chase a coaching career or a spot in a broadcast booth. Instead, he became a successful general contractor and real estate developer.
Recently, his name has resurfaced in the news for two very different reasons. First, he was officially included on the 2026 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. It's a long-overdue nod to a man who dominated the Southern Conference like few others ever have.
On a more somber note, Hackett has been involved in litigation regarding the long-term effects of concussions. Like many players from the 80s and 90s—an era where "getting your bell rung" was just part of the Tuesday practice routine—he has dealt with the neurological fallout of a career spent colliding with 250-pound fullbacks. It's a stark reminder of the price paid by the guys who played with the "all-out" style that made him a fan favorite.
Actionable Legacy: What to Watch
If you want to see what true linebacker play looks like, go find the grainy 1985 highlights of App State vs. ETSU. It’s a masterclass in pursuit angles. You can also track his 2026 Hall of Fame candidacy through the National Football Foundation; his induction would be a massive win for "Small School" legends everywhere. For those interested in the evolution of player safety, his legal filings provide a detailed, if difficult, look at how the game has changed since the late 80s.