Artrell Hawkins, Jr. was born the son of Artrell Hawkins Sr. and Aletha (Haselrig-Jones) Hawkins on November 24, 1976. He attended Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he was named conference offensive player of the year as a senior after rushing for a school record 26 touchdowns and 1,487 yards, including a single-game record 265 yards. He also lettered in basketball and baseball at Bishop McCort.

Hawkins’ father, Artrell Hawkins, Sr. was a three-year letterman at the University of Pittsburgh and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a rookie free agent in 1980.

In 1999, Hawkins played in 14 games (starting 13) and totaled 61 tackles and seven assists. In 2000, he played in all 16 games, starting six, and recorded 43 tackles and four assists.

In 2001, Hawkins rebounded and played in 14 games (starting 13), totaling 49 tackles, 10 assists, and three interceptions. In 2002, he started and played in 15 games, recording 69 tackles, seven assists, two sacks, and two interceptions, including a league-leading and team record 102-yard interception return for a touchdown on a pass by David Carr in a 38–3 Bengals’ win over the Houston Texans. In 2003, his sixth and final season with the Bengals, he played in 14 games, starting nine, with 50 tackles, five assists, and one interception.

For the 2005 season, Hawkins joined the New England Patriots, playing in five games (starting four) with 11 tackles, six assists and one sack. In 2006, he played in 14 games for the Patriots, starting 12 games and recording 54 tackles, 19 assists, and one interception. He was released by the Patriots during the summer of 2007.

After sitting out the 2007 season, Hawkins signed with the New York Jets in February, 2008. He announced his retirement on August 1, 2008 prior to the regular season.

His younger brother, Andrew Hawkins, retired from playing in the league in July 2017, after stints with the Bengals and Browns.