Controversy surrounded Hamlin due to an altercation that allegedly took place between Hamlin and two unidentified men in a Seattle nightclub on October 17, 2005. According to a police report, Hamlin and his girlfriend were leaving the club at about 2 A.M., several hours after the Seahawks defeated Houston. Hamlin's girlfriend told officers that Hamlin placed a hand on another man's shoulder and said, "Excuse me." The man told Hamlin to stop pushing, and the two men began shoving each other. According to the report, Hamlin punched the man in the face. Another man knocked Hamlin down. Other witnesses told police one of the men hit Hamlin twice with a street sign.
Ken sustained serious injuries to his head due to a blow from a street sign. Hamlin was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with a fractured skull, a small blood clot and bruising of the brain tissue. He was released on October 20, 2005 in stable condition.
