Jimmy Hitchcock (cornerback)

Jimmy Davis Hitchcock, Jr. (born November 9, 1970) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1995 NFL draft.^[1] He played for the Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at the University of North Carolina. In 1997, Hitchcock became the record holder for the longest interception return in Patriots history with a 100-yard pick six against the Miami Dolphins.^[2] In 1998, he led the league in interception yards with 242 yards and defensive touchdowns with three. Remarkably, Hitchcock played his entire professional and collegiate careers without both of his ACL's in his knees.

After retiring from the NFL, Hitchcock ran into legal issues with his involvement in widespread mortgage fraud. He was indicted and pleaded guilty through a broader crackdown operation called Operation Wax House.

Hitchcock attended Concord High School in Concord, North Carolina. During his high school football seasons he tore both ACL's in both knees in different seasons. Instead of opting for surgery, he rehabbed both knees. He never conducted surgery to repair either ACL.

He played college football at the University of North Carolina, where he redshirted in 1990 and lettered from 1991 to 1994.

During his time at the University of North Carolina (UNC), Jimmy Hitchcock was a notable figure in student activism, particularly in the early 1990s. Hitchcock, alongside fellow students and athletes, played a crucial role in advocating for a free-standing Black Cultural Center (BCC) on campus, which was a significant movement for Black students at UNC.

Hitchcock, along with teammates John Bradley, Tim Smith, and Malcolm Marshall, founded the Black Awareness Council (BAC) in July 1992. The BAC aimed to amplify the voices of Black students and address the university's racial climate. Their efforts included organizing and participating in marches, rallies, and meetings to demand the establishment of the BCC. One of their significant actions was a night march to Chancellor Hardin's home, which drew substantial media attention and highlighted the urgency of their demands.

The activism of Hitchcock and his colleagues helped build a multiracial coalition supporting the BCC, which included various student organizations such as the Asian Students Association, the Carolina Indian Circle, and the Carolina Hispanic Association. Their efforts underscored the importance of a dedicated space for Black culture and studies, and they successfully pushed the university administration to take their demands seriously.

Hitchcock's activism at UNC left a lasting impact on the university, contributing to the eventual establishment of the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History, which serves as a testament to the perseverance and dedication of the student activists of that era.^[3]

NFL Combine Performance: Hitchcock participated in the 1995 NFL Combine at the age of 24, where his athletic performance was evaluated by scouts. His combine stats were as follows:

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.51 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 35 inches
• Broad Jump: 123 inches (10 feet, 3 inches)
• 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.10 seconds
• Bench Press: 15 reps of 225 pounds

Hitchcock's performance in the combine showcased his athleticism and contributed to his selection in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Patriots. Hitchcock had an 8-year NFL career, playing for the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers. His NFL career statistics include:

• Interceptions: 19 for 541 yards and 5 touchdowns
• Tackles: 359
• Sacks: 2.0
• Touchdowns: 5 (Pro Football Archives).

Hitchcock retired form the NFL in 2003.

In June 2013, Hitchcock pleaded guilty to charges including mortgage fraud conspiracy, bank bribery conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy. These charges were part of a larger investigation known as Operation Wax House, which targeted mortgage fraud activities in the Western District of North Carolina. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hitchcock played a leading role in the fraudulent scheme, which involved creating fake official checks and other documents to deceive financial institutions into approving fraudulent loans. This operation resulted in financial losses of approximately $4.5 million for the affected institutions, with Hitchcock personally receiving over $500,000 in illicit proceeds.^[4]

On September 23, 2014, Hitchcock was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. His involvement in the scheme was extensive, and he was identified as an organizer who recruited others, including a bank insider, to facilitate the fraud by providing fake verifications of deposit.^[5]

Hitchcock's case was part of a broader crackdown on mortgage fraud known as Operation Wax House, which saw 91 individuals charged and 87 convicted by the time of his sentencing. This extensive investigation was spearheaded by the FBI and the IRS, highlighting the widespread nature of the fraudulent activities in which Hitchcock was involved.