North Texas Legend Cedrick Hardman Dies
3/9/2019 11:43:00 PM | Football
Cedrick Hardman, one of the greatest athletes in North Texas history, passed away Friday. He was 70 years old.
Hardman played football at North Texas, was a defensive lineman alongside "Mean" Joe Greene, and was an All-Pro in the NFL, becoming the San Francisco 49ers all-time sack leader.
Hardman was inducted into the North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001, was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team in 2006, and was voted to the North Texas All-Century football team in 2013.
"We are truly saddened by the loss of one of the all-time great 49ers, Cedrick Hardman," the 49ers said in a statement. "During his 10-year career in red and gold, he anchored the vaunted 'Gold Rush' defensive line with a non-stop motor that put fear in the minds of opposing quarterbacks. As a football player, Cedrick's accomplishments were many. As a man, his impact on the lives of others was just as impressive. Our condolences and prayers go out to the Hardman family and all who are mourning the passing of Cedrick."
Hardman originally came to North Texas as a running back, played as a reserve defensive back in 1966, then was moved back to running back briefly in the spring of 1968. But in fall drills prior to the 1968 season, he was tried at defensive end and found his calling. His combination of quickness and strength overwhelmed offensive lineman and made Hardman a constant threat to opposing quarterbacks.
As a senior in 1969, the 6-3, 255-pound Hardman recorded 38 quarterback sacks in 10 games, including an 11-sack performance against Tulsa in North Texas's homecoming game. His dominant season earned Hardman first-team All-Missouri Valley All-Conference honors, and he was also selected to play in the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. He was voted defensive Most Valuable Player in both all-star games.
After Greene became the first North Texas player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 1969, Hardman became UNT's second first-round selection when he was picked ninth in the opening round in 1970 by the San Francisco 49ers.
In the NFL, Hardman earned two Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors. He recorded 120 sacks with San Francisco and remains the 49ers' all-time sack leader.
After 10 years with San Francisco, Hardman played two seasons with the Oakland Raiders and was part of their Super Bowl-winning squad in the 1980 season.
Following his playing days, Hardman worked as an actor. He was in movies such as the Richard Pryor-Gene Wilder comedy "Stir Crazy," the Robert Redford political drama "The Candidate" and the 1990 Kid 'n Play comedy "House Party," and television shows "The Fall Guy" and "Police Woman."
