Biography

College years

Hardman played college football at North Texas State University, (renamed the University of North Texas in 1988). Hardman was an All-Missouri Valley Conference football defensive lineman. In a historic manner, Hardman recorded 38 sacks in his senior season at North Texas State and represented North Texas State in the Blue-Gray and Senior Bowl all-star games in 1970.

During his first two seasons in Denton, Hardman lined up on the same defense as future Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Mean Joe Greene, who was selected in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft (4th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Greene became a starter in the NFL from day one and anchored the feared Steel Curtain, which led the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships in six seasons between 1974-79.

Cedrick started playing college football as a defensive back, then moved to linebacker in his sophomore season. His final two college years were spent playing defensive end. Hardman was drafted with the ninth overall selection in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

NFL career

Hardman is the current all-time sack leader for the San Francisco 49ers franchise, recording 120 sacks between 1970 and 1979 and he had 14½ with the Raiders in 1980 and 81 (9½ in 1980). Hardman was a two-time Pro Bowler in 1971 and 1975 and he was a member of the Oakland Raiders Super Bowl XV winning team.

USFL career

On October 20, 1982, Hardman was the first player signed by the Oakland Invaders of newly formed United States Football League. Hardman served as a player/coach during the team's inaugural 1983 division winning 9-9 season.

Acting career

Movies

• House Party (1990) - Rock
• Stir Crazy (1980) - Big Mean
• The Candidate (1972) - Actor

Television

• The Fall Guy (1981) - Righteous (1 episode)
• The Fall Guy: Part 1 (1981, as Cedrick Hardman) - Righteous
• Police Woman (1975) - Large Man (1 episode)
• Police Woman: "The Company" (1975, as Cedrick Hardman) - Large Man
• Criminal Minds: "Blood Relations" (2014) - Hand double

[ Source: Wikipedia ]