Kevin Hardy (linebacker)

Kevin Lamont Hardy (born July 24, 1973) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the University of Illinois, and was recognized as an All-American. Drafted as the second overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL.

Early years
Hardy was born in Evansville, Indiana. He graduated from William Henry Harrison High School in Evansville, where he received numerous awards and accolades as a high school football player. Hardy was an honor roll student, and also played basketball and ran track. Hardy's basketball teammates in high school included Calbert Cheaney, an All-American at Indiana, and Walter McCarty, who played at Kentucky and Chris Lowery who played for and now is the head coach at Southern Illinois University.

College football
Hardy attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and played for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 1992 to 1995. Hardy was a business major, and was initiated as a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. In his senior season of 1995, Hardy was named the winner of the Dick Butkus Award, given to the top linebacker in college football, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.

During his time at Illinois, the Fighting Illini had a number of outstanding linebackers. In the 1994 season, the four linebackers in coach Lou Tepper's 3-4 defense were Hardy, fellow Butkus Award winner Dana Howard, future NFL player John Holecek, and Simeon Rice. Because of this, Hardy was often overlooked as a linebacker. At his position, he was not prolific in accumulating tackles like Howard, who played in the middle, nor was prolific in quarterback sacks, as was Rice, who as a "rush linebacker" played on the line of scrimmage like a defensive end. Despite this, Hardy's athletic ability stood out, and by his senior season, he was recognized as being among the very best linebackers in college football.

Hardy finished his collegiate career ranking ninth on the Illinois all-time list with 330 tackles, fourth in sacks with 18, and fourth in tackles for loss with 38.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Hardy was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second overall selection in the 1996 NFL Draft, signing a six-year $14.8 million dollar contract with a six million dollar signing bonus. Hardy's fellow linebacker at Illinois, Simeon Rice, was chosen with the third overall selection. Hardy played six seasons for the Jaguars, which included four trips to the NFL playoffs. Hardy was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1996. In 1998, Hardy set the Jaguars team record with 186 tackles. Hardy led all AFC linebackers with 10.5 sacks in 1999, and again led the Jaguars in tackles with 153. His play helped lead the Jaguars to a 14-win season, and Hardy was selected to the Pro Bowl as well as named to the AP All-Pro first team. In 2001, Hardy injured his knee in the ninth game of the season, his last game with the Jaguars.

Dallas Cowboys
Hardy signed with the Dallas Cowboys on April 14, 2002 as an unrestricted free agent, receiving a one-year, $2.5 million dollar contract. Hardy recovered from his injury and played for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2002 NFL season. Hardy finished the season ranking third on the Cowboys in both total (75) and solo tackles (60), and also recorded two quarterback sacks. Hardy played outside linebacker, and also lined up as a defensive end in some passing downs.

Cincinnati Bengals
Hardy signed a four year, $14 million USD contract with the Cincinnati Bengals as an unrestricted free agent on March 6, 2003, to be the Bengals new middle linebacker, after playing outside linebacker with the Jaguars and Cowboys. Hardy played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2003 and 2004 NFL seasons. Hardy was an integral part of the Bengals' defense in 2003, starting all 16 games and leading the team in defensive snaps played (1030 of 1038, for 99.2%). Hardy was second on the team in tackles in 2003 with 91. He started 14 games in the 2004 season. The Bengals terminated Hardy's contract on May 3, 2005. Hardy finished his career with 742 tackles(563 solo), 36 sacks, 43.5 tackles for loss, 11 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, 45 pass deflections, five interceptions for 59 yards, and one touchdown in 134 games.

Life after football
Kevin currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Terrie and their two sons. In August 2007, Kevin built his South Beach club venture, Dream Nightclub, centered around a motto that "reality is overrated." "I've been around and entertained people all my life, so I made a business out of it" said Hardy.