Quick Facts
Biography
Hanik Alphonse Milligan (born November 3, 1979) is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football at Houston. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. In 2005, Milligan earned a Pro Bowl selection for his work on special teams with the Chargers.
Early years
Milligan attended Coconut Creek High School in Coconut Creek, Florida and was a letterman in football. He was named the football team's Defensive MVP and selected for All-County. Milligan graduated from Coconut Creek High School in 1997.
College career
Milligan's college career started at Garden City Community College in 1998 where he redshirted in his freshman year. Milligan left Garden City for Iowa Central Community College in 1999 and where he posted 128 tackles, 21.5 sacks (a school record), and six blocked kicks during his tenure. Finally, Milligan went to the University of Houston where he was a two-time All-Conference USA selection and left the school as the third all-time leading tackler with 408 career stops.
Professional career
Milligan was drafted in the sixth-round (pick 188 overall) by the San Diego Chargers in 2003. Milligan missed his rookie season due to a pectoral injury he suffered in pre-season. Milligan bounced back the next year and recorded 19 tackles (16 solo) on special teams. He was named to the 2006 Pro Bowl, for his play the next season but despite this, San Diego released him at the season's end. The Arizona Cardinals picked him up the next day, but released him on August 27, 2007, at then end of the 2007 preseason.
Milligan was considered one of the best special teams players in the league. His dominant play on special teams has earned him the nickname "Burdman".[1]
NFL statistics
| Year | Team | GP | COMB | TOTAL | AST | SACK | FF | FR | FR YDS | INT | IR YDS | AVG IR | LNG | TD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | SD | 14 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | SD | 16 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | ARI | 16 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | STL | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 53 | 57 | 45 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Key
- GP: games played
- COMB: combined tackles
- TOTAL: total tackles
- AST: assisted tackles
- SACK: sacks
- FF: forced fumbles
- FR: fumble recoveries
- FR YDS: fumble return yards
- INT: interceptions
- IR YDS: interception return yards
- AVG IR: average interception return
- LNG: longest interception return
- TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
- PD: passes defensed
Personal life
He is the younger brother of former Arena Football League player Hamin Milligan.