Former NFL star Kevin Hardy excited to take trip down memory lane with return to Harrison

EVANSVILLE — Kevin Hardy cannot recall the last time he attended a Harrison High School football game.

Perhaps, it was his induction into the school hall of fame in 2012. Or maybe it was more recent. Life has kept Hardy busy since he left Evansville. It’s why his homecoming on Friday is a moment well-earned and overdue.

Hardy will have his Indiana Hall of Fame induction ceremony at halftime of Harrison's game against Mater Dei at Romain Stadium. One of the more accomplished players from the city, the 1991 graduate remains a revered member of the Warriors’ history.

Hardy joins Scott Studwell, Don Watson and Mitchell B. Marsch as IHOF members from Harrison.

“When I started, you played for the camaraderie,” said Hardy. “I’ve made lifelong friends from high school to college to the pros. I’m looking forward to (returning).”

Hardy moved to Evansville in sixth grade and started playing tackle football at Plaza Park. His athletic accomplishments at Harrison remain impressive even 30-plus years later. He received All-City, SIAC and Regional Player of the Year as a senior following 127 tackles, two interceptions, plus 1,020 total yards and 13 touchdowns on offense. The Warriors defeated Castle that fall to win their second sectional title in program history.

Of course, his first love was basketball. He was also a track and field standout and earned 11 varsity letters in total. This all came during an impressive athletic run from Harrison. Other notable names from that period include Calbert Cheaney, Chris Lowery, Walter McCarty, Jim Lynch and Sean Bennett.

“It was a really special time to be around guys like that,” said Hardy. “At the time, you don’t even realize and appreciate what’s going on around you. It’s not until now when I look back and reflect. That was a special time.”

Harrison coach Moe Sutton has been close with the Hardy family for much of his life. He played at Harrison with Brian Hardy, Kevin’s younger brother. They went to Illinois football camps because of Kevin. The opportunity to honor what he did and why he still means a great deal to the school is “well overdue.”

“This is a huge deal,” said Sutton. “I’m glad it happened under my watch. I’ve been close to the Hardy family for a long time. Even talking to (Kevin) through Brian was a big deal. We’ve been playing here for years after he made it to the NFL. His legacy lived on.”

Football took Hardy much further than most. A star at Illinois, he won the 1995 Dick Butkus Award as a senior given to the top collegiate linebacker in the country. When he finished his career, Hardy was ninth in program history in tackles, fourth in sacks and fourth in tackles for loss.

He was the second overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hardy spent nine years in the NFL between Jacksonville, Dallas and Cincinnati. His career totals: 736 tackles, 36 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and five interceptions.

Hardy was selected to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro Team in 1999. He is once again on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot.

“Football gave me the opportunity to get an education,” he said. “Being drafted the way I was and making the money I did, football has provided me with a lifestyle I could only dream about having when I was kid. I’ve gotten so much from the game that I continue to enjoy today.”

Hardy put his business degree to work following his playing career but is fully retired now and lives in Jacksonville. He dabbles in coaching as his sons are also standout linebackers. Langston is a redshirt freshman at Connecticut and Camden, a high school senior, is committed to Wake Forest.

The former Harrison star is excited for a trip down memory lane this weekend. There will be a meet and greet in the Shoulder Family Commons followed by the field ceremony at halftime. Hardy will also speak to a student leadership committee during school.

“It will be nice to get back and share some of my experiences,” he said. “Hopefully help them on their journeys as they go through high school and prepare to enter the real world.”

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA football: Evansville Harrison Kevin Hardy inducted Hall of Fame