At a Glance
Hometown: Cedar Falls, Iowa (born November 30, 1979) High School: Aaron attended Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, Iowa. He was a member of the National Honor Society and earned Academic All-State honors while maintaining a 3.82 GPA. Aaron was a four year letterman in track and lettered three times in both basketball and football. He played football under the late, nationally recognized Coach Ed Thomas, the 2005 NFL High School Coach of the Year. On his way to being recognized as a USA Today All American, Aaron recorded more tackles in a single game, season and career than any other Aplington-Parkersburg defender before him. He was one of four players coached by Ed Thomas who went on to have successful NFL careers, rather impressive for a school that averaged only 240 students. College: Aaron graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in elementary education. He excelled as a student-athlete, earning academic honors four times throughout his college career. Kampman was equally effective on the football field. Aaron knew how to prepare, practice and make himself better. During his first year, Aaron earned the Defensive Hustle Award versus Northwestern, Wisconsin and Purdue. In 1998, he was one of four true freshmen to earn playing time on the Hawkeye football team. He played in nine games and ranked 7th in tackles despite having the opportunity to start in only the final two regular season games. In 1999, Aaron started all 11 games. He had 103 tackles, which ranked second on the Hawkeye defense. As a sophomore, Kampman earned Academic All Big-Ten and the Coaches Appreciation Award. On his way to earning Big Ten Player of the Week in 2000, Aaron’s performance helped the Iowa football team end a 13 game losing streak to rival Michigan State. It was the worst losing streak in school history. Aaron never let up, he was relentless and put forth maximum effort each time he stepped onto the football field. During his junior year, he earned the Team Hustle Award on defense.Aaron was one of five players to be selected to a team leadership group during his senior year. In 2001, he had the biggest game of his Hawkeye career against Minnesota. He earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors and helped Iowa clinch its first bowl bid in three years, which they won in a 19-16 effort in the Alamo Bowl. NFL Experience: Aaron was the 21st selection of the 5th round in the 2002 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. As a rookie, his playmaking ability resonated around the League during the 2003 postseason when he led the NFL in sacks. Kampman was determined to prove himself worthy as one of the NFL’s youngest stars. In 2004, Aaron started every one of the 16 regular season games for the first time in his career. By the end of the season, he led Green Bay defensive linemen in tackles. His sack total ranked second among fellow teammates and he recorded at least 5 tackles in 10 games. Aaron recorded more playing time than any other NFL defensive lineman during 2005. He started every game for the second consecutive season and factored into almost 94 percent of plays for the Green Bay defense. By the end of the season, he ranked second in tackles among defensive linemen in the League. Aaron had made a name for himself.On the way to his first Pro Bowl experience in 2006, Kampman recorded the most sacks in the NFC (15.5), second in the NFL. Aaron wanted to send a message to opposing quarterbacks. The following year, Aaron made history by tying the longest streak of consecutive games with at least one-half sack by a Packer defender. Perhaps Aaron’s strongest attribute is his mental toughness. Despite a series of nagging injuries, he managed to start every game through four of five demanding NFL seasons (2004-2008). That impressive streak ended in 2009 when he suffered a significant knee injury versus the San Francisco 49ers. At the time of the injury, he ranked second in tackles on the Packer defense before undergoing surgery that would ultimately end the rest of his season. During the 2009-2010 offseason, Kampman found himself stuck in the middle of a youth movement in Green Bay. Aaron’s contract had expired and negotiations stalled. Without a new deal from the Packer front office, the All Pro was released from the small Wisconsin community in which he had grown so attached. The Jaguars were one of many teams to reach out to the savvy veteran. Their persistence paid off on March 6, 2010, Aaron was on his way to Jacksonville.Aaron hasn’t gone more than six games without a sack since the 2004 season. His sack totals rank fourth all time in the history of the Green Bay Packer franchise.
Bio
Career Bio: PLAYER: University of Iowa (1998-2001), Green Bay Packers (2002-2009), Jacksonville Jaguars (2010-2012) Career Highlights: • Recorded 4th most sacks in Green Bay Packer history (54 sacks)• Awarded the ‘Professional Achievement Award’ at the Lee Remmel Sports Award Banquet• Led Green bay in sacks (2008)• Red Smith Sports Award (2008)• USA Today All-Joe Team (2008)• NFL Pro Bowl Alternate (2008)• NFL Pro Bowl (2007)• All-Pro Second-Team (2007, Associated Press)• Led Green Bay in sacks (2007)• NFL Defensive Player of the Month (October, 2007)• Red Smith Sports Award (2007)• NFL Pro Bowl (2006)• All-Pro Second-Team (2006, Associated Press)• All NFC Honors (2006, Pro Football Weekly)• Most solo tackles in a single season by a Green Bay defensive linemen in franchise history (2006)• Pass Rusher of the Year (2006, NFL Alumni Association)• Led Green bay in sacks (2006)• Totaled the most sacks in the NFL (2006)• Kampman was only one of two Packers to win two NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards in same season (10/29/06, 12/21/06 - *Hall Of Fame Defensive Tackle Reggie White was only other Packer to achieve the accomplishment)• USA Today All-Joe Team (2005)• Accepted the ‘Nice Guy Award’ at the Doug Jirschele Sports Award Banquet (2004)• Walter Payton Man of the Year (2003)• Named one of the NFL’s ‘Good Guys’ (2003, The Sporting News)• First-Team Academic All-American (2001)• University of Iowa Scholastic Achievement Award (2001)• First-Team All Big 10 (2001)• Finished with the 7th most tackles in Iowa Hawkeye football history (2001)• Led Iowa football team in sacks (2001)• Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award (2001)• Iowa Hawkeye Football Captain (2001)• Second-Team Academic All American (2000)• Academic All-Big Ten (2000)• Honorable Mention All Big-Ten (2000)• Iowa Hawkeye Football Captain (2000)• Iowa Hawkeye Defensive Hustle Award (1999)• Coaches Appreciation Award, University of Iowa (1999)• Academic All Big Ten (1999)• Defensive Scout Team MVP in Week 2 (1998)• 3x recipient of the Defensive Hustle Award (1998) Family Bio: When Aaron decided to propose to his high school sweetheart, he first sent her all over town on a scavenger hunt. At each stop, Linde found a clue in a scripture from The Bible. On her final stop she was directed back to her apartment, where she found a home cooked meal and Aaron waiting in his coat and tie on one knee. Fortunately she said, “Yes!” And since then they have been entrusted with three sons; Lucas, Benjamin and Elijah. Witnessing his sons’ births gave Aaron an overwhelming sense of joy and responsibility. Understanding his sons’ hearts versus focusing solely on their behavior is something Aaron is working on as an All Pro Dad. “So many times we correct a child’s behavior without taking the time to realize why they chose that behavior,” he said. “If I can focus on developing their hearts, the natural outflow will be correct behavior.” When he’s not chasing quarterbacks, Aaron enjoys date nights each week with his wife Linde and spending time with his children Lucas, Benjamin and Elijah. With a marriage that started with a scavenger hunt, Aaron has since discovered the real treasures in life are his family and his faith. Aaron’s parents are Bob and Dort Kampman. Bob owns a lumberyard and Dort is a registered nurse who has traveled around the world taking care of people. “So from a very young age, I saw both of my parents demonstrate an ideal of service and a work ethic that became deeply engrained in me,” said Aaron. Linde and Aaron bring leadership and love to every community they inhabit. During the eight years spent in Green Bay, they were avid volunteers at charity events, food pantries, and fundraisers. The couple also enjoys extending their hands overseas. In 2007, they took a two week tour of India as guests of ‘Gospel for Asia’. The couple made their way to Kenya in 2009. During their African visit, they visited Christian humanitarian missions in rural communities in hopes of spreading and strengthening faith throughout the country. Aaron and Linde are also devoted to sharing their faith with US troops. Recently, they partnered with the Christian organization ‘Unlimited Potential Inc.’ on a trip to Mannheim, an American military community in Southwest Germany.
Volunteer:
• Serves as a board member for the Ed Thomas Family FoundationWebsite Link: http://www.edthomasfamilyfoundation.org/
Volunteer Work:
• Aaron raised funds after a 2008 tornado damaged his high school town of Parkersburg, Iowa. Prior to the first Parkersburg football game after the tornado, Kampman delivered an inspiring pregame speech in an effort to motivate the community• Distributed food to the needy at Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay, Wisconsin• Contributes and participates to the ‘Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer’, an annual motorcycle ride that supports cancer patients and their families in the greater Green Bay area• Salvation Army Volunteer• Volunteer visitor at St. Vincent Hospital• Annual supporter for the March of Dimes campaign• During time in Green Bay, Aaron enjoyed reading books to children at the Brown County Library• As a devoted family member, Kampman visited his brother Curt and sister-in-Law, Abbie, to support their purpose as Christian missionaries in Africa• During his time as an undergrad, Aaron spent a lot of time motivating patients at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital
Additional Information:
• Aaron took online classes at the Dallas Theological Seminary School to progress his education, faith and fellowship with Jesus Christ• Member of the ‘Insightful Player Team’. The team is made up of current or former NFL Players who share personal experiences in order to lift the spirits of children.
