Jason Dewayne Hatcher – HOF Nominee

Jason Dewayne Hatcher is a native of Jena, Louisiana. He graduated from Jena High School in 2001. While there he lettered in two sports those being basketball and football. In his senior year of high school, he received ALL State honors after catching 28 passes for 1,028 yards as a and . After gradation Jason went on to Grambling State University (GSU) where he majored in Physical Education. While a senior at GSU Jason helped his team win the conference title with an undefeated record of 9-0 and the co-black Collegiate National Championship title with an overall season record of 11-1. Jason was also named on the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference team.

In 2006, Jason was drafted in the 3rd round for the 2006 by the . As a Rookie, Jason had the privilege to play in fourteen games for the Cowboys. In 2012, he was the Cowboys best defensive lineman. In 2013, while playing for Dallas he was named to the Pro-bowl team. After eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Hatcher, then signed with the Washington Redskins. He played there for two years and in April 2016, Jason decided it was time to retire.

With all of Jason’s many accomplishments he has not forgotten his roots and giving of his time and talents to the Jena Community. In 2006, Jason started the Jason Hatcher Football Camp for LaSalle Parish young men. The first year 70 boys attended the camp. In 2013, Jason changed the name of his summer program to the Jason Hatcher 7-on-7 Passing Camp. The camp continued with much success as in 2016 eleven (11) teams from all over the State of Louisiana attended the Passing camp. Some teams brought as many as 50 young men to participate in this training program. Over the years, Jason Hatcher has brought many of his NFL teammates and close friends to Jena to help with his summer camps. In the beginning, there was no fees for his camps, however as the camps grew he began charging a fee, but the funds were given back to the participating schools. Not only did these young men learn skills of the game, they were fed a meal and given t-shirts for participation for attending these camps.

In 2007, Jason donated money for the Jena Junior High School Weight Room along with building the Basketball court at the Ward 10 Recreation Park. Jason has been a volunteer for the North Texas Food Bank, which is a program that feeds kids in need. While in Washington, when he would go downtown for a meal, Jason would also buy food for the homeless. After the tornadoes in Canton, Texas, Jason collected and delivered supplies to the grief-stricken area.

Jason and his wife Natasha Beard, also, a graduate of Jena High School, are the proud parents of four children. Their three sons Dicarlos, Jason Jr. and Boston Kash and one daughter, Tamia. They continue to call the Dallas, Texas area their home today.

Jason Hatcher has helped put Jena, Louisiana in the spot light in a positive way. He has made his family, friends and the people of Jena, LaSalle Parish, the great state of Louisiana and all of his Dallas Cowboy and Washington Redskin fans proud. He is a true gentleman with the integrity and compassion for his fellow man.