Monday, November 29, 1999BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Hawkins plays well for sick grandmother
BY GEOFF HOBSON
and TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PITTSBURGH — This was a virtual home game for Bengals cornerback Artrell Hawkins, who is from Johnstown, Pa.
![[dillon]](/img/photos/1999/11/112999dillon_120x150.jpg)
Bengals running back Corey Dillon is hauled down after a short second quarter run.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |“It feels good because we got our second win, but more importantly, I dedicated the game to my grandmother who is back in Johnstown, and who is a very, very sick woman right now,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins did not name his grandmother nor her illness, but said he went to visit her Saturday in Johnstown, about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
Hawkins had a strong game with five tackles and two passes defensed, after also playing well here in 1998. Last Dec.20, he earned the defensive game ball for his performance that included a victory-clinching interception in a 25-24 upset of Pittsburgh.
“I came in and told the other DBs (defensive backs). They knew my grandmother was sick,” Hawkins said. “We don't know if she is going to make it. ... That makes the win even more special, because the win is for her.”
COSTELLO RETURNS: Punter Brad Costello admittedly didn't set the surrounding three rivers ablaze, not with a 37.8-yard average. But it was just Costello's first game of 1999, after returning from a hip injury to replace Will Brice this week.
“I had some cobwebs, but I think it went well overall,” said Costello, who also did some kickoffs. On his five punts, he had one touchback and put one inside the 20-yard line.
And, he had none blocked.
Costello also was the hold er for placekicker Doug Pelfrey, who went 2-for-3 but had the 25-yard miss (wide left) with 5:51 left. Costello said everything appeared smooth. “It's just one of those things that happens. Doug's a veteran, he'll be fine.”
And don't forget, the Bengals are now 1-0 with Costello in the lineup.
“I guess I'm the lucky rabbit's foot,” he said.
GOOD SNAP, BAD KICK: Pelfrey's miss was the shortest miss of his seven-year career and could have been the costliest because it would have put the game away. “Good hold, good snap,” said Pelfrey, who has missed eight of 22 tries this season. “I pulled it. I just yanked the heck out of it. I don't know why.”
LIGHT MOMENT: It wasn't funny when it happened on the third play of the fourth quarter, but rookie running back Michael Basnight got a false start penalty when he literally fell on his face.
“I couldn't hear (Blake's snap count),” Basnight said. “I waited, I saw the safety come up (for a blitz) and I tried to catch myself and I went down nose first.”
STEPHENS' MISS: Bengals reserve tackle Jamain Stephens, a former Steeler, missed the team's flight Saturday. He told the club he ran out of gas, but the Bengals still plan to fine him in the $1,000 range.
BOOMER'S LOSS: The father of former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason died suddenly of a heart attack Thursday night. Norman Esiason died after Thanksgiving dinner in Manhasset, N.Y.
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![[dillon]](/img/photos/1999/11/112999dillon.jpg)
BENGALS NOTEBOOK