Antonio Hamilton Bio
Antonio Hamilton Sr. (born January 24, 1993) is an American professional football cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina State Bulldogs before signing with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Over the course of his professional career, Hamilton has also spent time with the New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, and Atlanta Falcons.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing approximately 188 pounds, Hamilton has carved out a role for himself as a reliable defensive back and special teams contributor. His journeyman path through the league reflects persistence, and his return to a full active roster in 2025 underscores his continued value at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Antonio Hamilton was born on January 24, 1993, in Johnston, South Carolina. He grew up in the small Edgefield County community and attended Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston, where he developed the skills that would eventually carry him to the college ranks. His upbringing in the small-town South helped shape his competitive drive and work ethic.
At Strom Thurmond, Hamilton played multiple positions and contributed on both sides of the ball, gaining attention from college scouts for his combination of size, speed, and football instincts. His high school career laid the foundation for his transition to the collegiate level, and he ultimately chose to continue his football career at South Carolina State University, a historically Black college known for producing NFL talent.
Path to Professional Football
Hamilton enrolled at South Carolina State University, where he played for the Bulldogs from 2012 to 2015. Over the course of his college career, he appeared in 33 games and made an impact on defense and in the return game. He recorded 73 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and nine passes defensed, while also contributing 33 kickoff returns for 818 yards and two touchdowns, along with 23 punt returns for 498 yards and two touchdowns.
As a junior, Hamilton earned All-Conference honors as a return specialist, an award that highlighted his versatility and big-play ability. Despite his productive college résumé, he went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft and signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2016. That opportunity launched a professional career that has spanned nearly a decade across multiple organizations.
Antonio Hamilton Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Hamilton began his professional journey with the Oakland Raiders, signing as an undrafted free agent in May 2016. He spent his first season developing within the organization and learning the speed and complexity of the NFL game. His opportunity to contribute came in his second season, but it was cut short in October 2017 when he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Hamilton was activated off injured reserve on December 15, 2017, and finished the year with the Raiders. Shortly before the 2018 season, however, he was waived on September 1, 2018, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
New York Giants (2018–2019)
On September 2, 2018, Hamilton was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, giving him a fresh start on a new roster. He appeared in 13 games during the 2018 season, contributing on defense and special teams before a quad injury placed him on injured reserve on December 18, 2018.
Hamilton re-signed with the Giants on March 14, 2019, and continued his role with the team. His stint in New York helped him grow as a professional and refine his approach to playing cornerback at the highest level.
Kansas City Chiefs (2020)
Hamilton signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 23, 2020, joining one of the most competitive rosters in the league. His time in Kansas City added another chapter to his journeyman career, and he contributed to a Chiefs squad that was among the league’s top contenders during that season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021)
On May 17, 2021, Hamilton signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was released on August 30, 2021, as part of the final roster cuts, ending a brief preseason stint with the team.
Arizona Cardinals (2021–2023)
Hamilton joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 3, 2021, and was promoted to the active roster on September 29, 2021. He re-signed with the Cardinals on April 26, 2022, but was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on September 1, 2022, before being activated on October 8. Hamilton signed again with the Cardinals on March 21, 2023, spending multiple seasons in the Arizona organization.
Atlanta Falcons (2024)
On April 4, 2024, Hamilton signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He appeared in 11 games during the 2024 season, primarily contributing on special teams and providing veteran depth in the secondary.
Washington Commanders (2025–Present)
Hamilton signed with the Washington Commanders on August 11, 2025. After being waived on August 26, 2025, he quickly signed with the team’s practice squad the following day. On October 1, 2025, the Commanders signed him to the active roster, where he continues to contribute on defense and special teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hamilton has built his professional career on versatility, reliability, and special teams value. He has demonstrated the ability to play both outside and inside at cornerback while also contributing on kickoff and punt coverage units. His track experience, developed during his award-winning return days at South Carolina State, gives him strong field awareness and a knack for reading plays as they develop.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hamilton’s career highlights, his All-Conference selection as a return specialist at South Carolina State stands out as an early validation of his playmaking ability. Reaching a full active roster in Washington during the 2025 season marks another milestone in a career defined by perseverance through multiple teams and roster changes.
Antonio Hamilton Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Antonio Hamilton Sr. grew up in Johnston, South Carolina, and has built his professional football career as a journeyman defensive back across the NFL. Public details about his immediate family remain limited, and he has generally kept his personal life private from media coverage.
2025 Season Performance
Hamilton joined the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2025 season, signing on August 11, 2025, before a brief stint on the practice squad. His promotion to the active roster on October 1, 2025, reflects the team’s confidence in his ability to contribute on defense and special teams during the heart of the season.
As a veteran cornerback, Hamilton provides depth and experience to a Commanders secondary that values his familiarity with multiple defensive schemes from his years in Oakland, New York, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Arizona, and Atlanta. His role on special teams remains an important part of his value to the roster.
Looking ahead, Hamilton’s continued presence on an active NFL roster into his ninth professional season is a testament to his durability, work ethic, and adaptability. Whether contributing in coverage units or stepping into the secondary, he remains a steady and reliable presence for the Washington Commanders in 2025.