| No. 86, 73, 80 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1945-07-28)July 28, 1945 Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 6, 2024(2024-05-06) (aged 78) Danville, California, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 276 lb (125 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Notre Dame |
| NFL draft | 1968: 1st round, 7th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| 1968 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1970 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1971–1972 | San Diego Chargers |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Stats atPro Football Reference  | |
Kevin Thomas Hardy (July 28, 1945 – May 6, 2024) was an American professionalfootball player who was adefensive tackle in theNational Football League (NFL). He was selected by theNew Orleans Saints in the first round (7th pick overall) of the1968 NFL draft. He was an All-American out of Notre Dame where he also lettered in basketball and baseball.[1]
Hardy played in the NFL for four seasons and never for the team that drafted him. He was sent along with a1969 first-round selection (7th overall–Ted Kwalick) as part of a compensation package to theSan Francisco 49ers as a result of the Saints signingfree agentDave Parks. This was the second of only four times the NFL exercised theRozelle rule.[2][3] He appeared in most games during these seasons but was unable to force his way into thestarting lineup.
In September 1970, the 49ers traded Hardy to Green Bay in exchange for a second-round pick in the1971 NFL draft. In June 1972, Green Bay traded Hardy to theSan Diego Chargers in exchange for a first-round draft pick in1972.
Hardy was a member ofThe Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll. He died inDanville, California on May 6, 2024, at the age of 78.[4][5]
