All-time Notre Dame athlete dies at 78
When you think of great multiple sport athletes in the history of Notre Dame, a few names come to mind.
Jeff Samardzija and Golden Tate both tore up the baseball field while starring as wide receivers for the Fighting Irish.
Raghib “Rocket” Ismail wasn’t just a speedy football star at Notre Dame but also a track sensation with his blazing speed.
Currently Jordan Faison isn’t just perhaps Notre Dame’s best wide receiver but is also a key member of its top-ranked lacrosse program.
There are plenty more we should discuss at length one day but let’s take this moment to remember one of the greatest multisport athletes in the history of Notre Dame.
Former defensive tackle Kevin Hardy, who starred on Notre Dame’s 1966 national championship team, died on May 6 at 78 years old.
Hardy lettered in three sports at Notre Dame. In football, he was a key defensive lineman on the 1966 team that famously tied Michigan State en-route to winning the national championship. His 38 tackles and four pass breakups helped earn him All-American honors that year.
Hardy also played a key role on the basketball team that went to the NCAA Tournament. In 1968, he led the Fighting Irish baseball team, hitting .398.
Hardy was a first-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1967 and was moved to the San Francisco 49ers shortly after. He also played for the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers during his career.
Share this
image
gallery
Share this
image
gallery
Share this
image
gallery
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical
Nov 19, 1966; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan State receiver Eugene Washington (84) makes a…
Nov 19, 1966; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan State receiver Eugene Washington (84) makes a catch from Jimmy Raye (not pictured) against Norte Dame Fighting Irish safety Tom Schoen (7) at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans tied the Irish 10-10. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish defensive tackle (74) Kevin…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish defensive tackle (74) Kevin Hardy pressures Michigan State Spartans quarterback (16) Jim Raye. Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie 10-10 at Spartans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports © copyright Malcolm Emmons
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish quarterback (5) Terry Hanratty…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish quarterback (5) Terry Hanratty takes the snap as Michigan State Spartans defensive end (95) Bubba Smith and linebackers (90) George Webster and (55) Patrick Gallinagh line up on the defense. Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie 10-10 at Spartans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports © copyright Malcolm Emmons
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish quarterback (5) Terry Hanratty…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish quarterback (5) Terry Hanratty runs the ball against the Michigan State Spartans. Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie 10-10 at Spartans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports © copyright Malcolm Emmons
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans quarterback (16) Jim Raye…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans quarterback (16) Jim Raye at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Irish. Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie 10-10 at Spartans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports © copyright Malcolm Emmons
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans quarterback (16) Jim Raye…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans quarterback (16) Jim Raye hands off to running back (26)Clinton Jones against the Notre Dame Irish. Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie 10-10 at Spartans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports © copyright Malcolm Emmons
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish linebacker (61) Jim Lynch…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish linebacker (61) Jim Lynch in the defensive huddle against the Michigan State Spartans. Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie 10-10 at Spartans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports © copyright Malcolm Emmons
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish quarterback (5) Terry Hanratty…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA: FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish quarterback (5) Terry Hanratty takes the snap and follows tackle (75) Bob Kuechenberg as Michigan State Spartans defensive end (95) Bubba Smith pursues. Notre Dame and Michigan State played to a tie 10-10 at Spartans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports © copyright Malcolm Emmons
Share this
image
gallery
US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans running back Clint Jones…
Nov 19, 1966; East Lansing, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans running back Clint Jones (26) carries the ball against the Notre Dame Irish at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
NCAA Football: USA TODAY Sports-Archive
Nov 19, 1966, East Lansing, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Jimmy Raye (16)…
Nov 19, 1966, East Lansing, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Jimmy Raye (16) in action against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Spartan Stadium during the 1966 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Share this
image
gallery
