Dan Hampton is a former professional football player. Hampton played college football at Arkansas and as a senior Hampton was an All-American as he logged 98 tackles (18 behind the line of scrimmage). He was also named the Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

Hampton was a defensive tackle for twelve seasons with the NFL's Chicago Bears from 1979 to 1990. He was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He was voted All-Rookie by the Pro Football Writers Association. The following year, he was a Second-team All-Pro selection and was voted to his first Pro Bowl after recording 11½ sacks, leading the Bears. was a key defensive member of the Bears' Super Bowl XX win against the New England Patriots in 1986. Hampton was a versatile defensive lineman, making All-Pro at both defensive end and defensive tackle. In all, Hampton was 1st or 2nd team All-Pro in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1988. His versatility likely cost him several post-season honors, for example, in 1986 he was an alternate for the Pro Bowl at both defensive end and defensive tackle. His playing both positions likely split the votes of his NFC peers.

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. As of 2021, Hampton hosts the Bears postgame show on WGN Radio in Chicago. Also as of 202, Hampton is a co-host for the syndicated Pro Football Weekly television show which is approaching its 20th season on the air.