Billy Hardee
{{Short description|American football player (1954–2011)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Billy Hardee
| image = billy hardee.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 23, 37
| position = Defensive back
| birth_date = {{birth date|1954|08|12}}
| birth_place = Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2011|07|04|1954|08|12}}
| death_place = Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 184
| high_school = Mulberry
| college = Virginia Tech
| undraftedyear = 1976
| pastteams =
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|1976}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|1977}})
- Calgary Stampeders (1978)
- Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|1978|1981}})
- Ottawa Rough Riders (1981-{{CFL Year|1982}})
- Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars (1984-1985)
| highlights =
}}
William Abraham Hardee Jr (August 12, 1954, – July 4, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL) and United States Football League (USFL) during the 1970s and 1980s. He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
College career
Hardee played at Virginia Tech from 1972 to 1975. Hardee started his collegiate career as a wide receiver, transitioning to defensive back in 1974. Hardee finished in the Top 10 nationally in 1975, with seven interceptions. This, along with his work as a kickoff returner, earned him Honorable Mention as an AP All American and a spot on the National Independent All-Star Football squad. Hardee was elected into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Professional career
Following graduation from Virginia Tech, Hardee went on to play in the National Football League, the Canadian Football League and the United States Football League. Hardee retired from professional football in 1985.
After retirement
He worked in the administration department at Lake Region High School in Eagle Lake, Florida. He and his wife Deborah had three children. A son, Billy III, followed in his father's footsteps and played football for the Hokies from 1999 to 2001.
Death
Hardee died from injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident near Phoenix, AZ.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20110704/news/110709802|title = Article 404 - the Ledger - Lakeland, FL}} He was in a coma for two days and died shortly thereafter July 4, 2011.
External links
{{reflist}}
- [http://www.hokiesports.com/wrestling/recaps/20050821aaa.html Virginia Tech Hall of Fame]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hardee, Billy}}
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Calgary Stampeders players
Category:Canadian football defensive backs
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Ottawa Rough Riders players
Category:Toronto Argonauts players
Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football players
Category:Players of Canadian football from Florida
Category:Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars players
Category:Road incident deaths in Arizona
Category:20th-century American sportsmen
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