Kyle Hamilton is earning an Ed Reed-like reputation for his monstrous hits, but he grew up watching a different safety from the DMV.
Hamilton spent his early days watching film of Sean Taylor, who starred for four seasons in Washington before he was tragically killed. Taylor was one of the league's best safeties and was known for his big hits.
"He wasn't necessarily just a big hitter, but he did a little bit of everything," Hamilton said. "I appreciate the little Sean Taylor film that we have. I've watched it all."
One of Taylor's most iconic plays came in the 2006 Pro Bowl when he laid out Bills punter Brian Moorman, and while Hamilton hasn't delivered a blow like that yet, he's getting there. Just ask Taylor's former team.
In Baltimore's Week 6 game against the Washington Commanders, Hamilton walloped Washington receiver Terry McLaurin, who somehow hung onto the ball. A referee initially threw a flag, but it was picked after discussion.
Hamilton delivered another massive hit last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, crushing tight end Cade Otton as the pass sailed past him. Again, it was a shoulder-to-shoulder legal hit.
Hamilton also ran the alley to drop the hammer on Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin in Week 3.
Hamilton's starting to get a name as one of the league's biggest hitters, but it's all he knows.
"I feel like that's really the only way that I've learned how to play and know how to play," Hamilton said. "Not necessarily that I'm looking for big hits, but when it's time to hit somebody then you hit them.
"Nothing malicious about it, just trying to make a play. Maybe it's kind of a big energy play and it gets the guys [going]. Showing the physicality and stuff, people want to match that. So if we have 11 guys out there playing like that, then it would be a good time."
