Charlie Hardy (American football)

Charlie Hardy (November 7, 1933 – May 9, 2001) was a gridiron football end who played in the American Football League (AFL). He played college football at San Jose State.

Charlie Hardy
Personal information
Born:(1933-11-07)November 7, 1933
Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
Died:May 9, 2001(2001-05-09) (aged 67)
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:Oakland Technical (Oakland, California)
College:San Jose State
Position:End
Undrafted:1955
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:54
Receiving yards:840
Receiving touchdowns:7
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life in high school

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Hardy was born in Monroe, Louisiana, but grew up in Oakland, California, and attended Oakland Technical High School.[1]

College career

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Hardy was a two year starter at end for the San Jose State Spartans. As a senior, he tied for the team lead with 13 receptions and was awarded the Mr. Downfield Award as the team's best downfield blocker.[2][3] He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame upon graduating.[4]

Professional career

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Hardy went unselected in the 1955 NFL draft and despite several tryouts was not signed by any team initially. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers in 1958 but was cut during training camp. He was signed by the newly-formed Oakland Raiders and was named a starter going into the team's inaugural season.[5] He finished the year as Oakland's second leading receiver with 24 receptions for 424 yards and three touchdowns.[6] Hardy was cut by the Raiders midway through the 1962 season.[7] Hardy caught 54 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 33 games in his professional career.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Knaak, Jerry (April 25, 2015). "100 Days of 100 Jersey Numbers - 82". Raiders.com. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  2. ^ "Hiram Wins Four Statistical Races". The Spartan Daily. November 30, 1954. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "Star Linemen Capture Titles". The Spartan Daily. December 7, 1954. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  4. ^ "SJSU Sports Hall of Fame - Complete Listing". sjsuspartans.com. June 28, 2001. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Flores, Tom (2017). "The Original Silver and Black". Tales from the Oakland Raiders Sideline: A Collection of the Greatest Raiders Stories Ever Told. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781683581567.
  6. ^ "THE RAIDERS Part 1". Raiders.com. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "Raiders Drop Hardy, an End". The New York Times. October 19, 1962.
  8. ^ "Charles Hardy". Raiders.com. Retrieved May 30, 2020.