Don Hansen (August 20, 1944 – September 5, 2021) was an American professional football linebacker from Evansville, Indiana, who played 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Hansen attended F.J. Reitz High School in Evansville, where he played football for the Panthers. He later attended the University of Illinois, playing linebacker for the Fighting Illini.

NFL Career

Hansen was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 1966 NFL Draft. He began his professional career with Minnesota before joining the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent the majority of his NFL career.

Hansen played for the Falcons from 1967 through 1975 and became a regular part of Atlanta’s defense during the franchise’s early years. He finished his professional career with the Green Bay Packers in 1976.

Over his 11 NFL seasons, Hansen appeared in more than 130 games and recorded numerous interceptions and fumble recoveries as a linebacker.

Evansville Connection

Born and raised in Evansville, Hansen was part of Reitz High School’s long football tradition before advancing to major college football and the NFL.

His decade-plus professional career makes him one of the most successful football players to come out of Reitz High School and one of a relatively small group of Evansville natives to play more than ten seasons in the NFL.

Hansen died on September 5, 2021, at the age of 77.