2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

61 NICK HARDWICKCenter Draft 3B - ’046-4, 305 Purdue9th NFL SeasonLawrence North HS9th with ChargersIndianapolis, Ind.After the 2011 season ended, center Nick Hardwick hadan important decision to make. He was an unrestricted freeagent, a new father and one of his best friends and linemates- left guard Kris Dielman - retired after suffering aserious concussion last season. All of it led Hardwick toponder whether he wanted to continue playing football,and if he did, whether he wanted to play it in San Diego ormake a fresh start elsewhere.When the dust settled just prior to the start of freeagency, Hardwick decided home is where the heart is andhe opted to sign a new three-year contract with the Chargersthat will keep him in San Diego through the 2014 season.Having the chance to continue in the same city wherehe started his career lifted a huge burden from the shouldersof Hardwick and his wife, Jayme.One of the most highly-regarded centers in the game anda member of the Chargers 50th Anniversary All-Time Team,Hardwick comes into 2012 having started 103 careergames and 34 straight. Last season, he started all 16 gamesfor the second year in a row and he was selected by teammatesas the Chargers’ Lineman of the Year. He was alsochosen as a third-alternate to the AFC Pro Bowl squad.With all the accolades, it’s hard to believe that just threeseasons ago Hardwick suffered an ankle injury so seriousthat it nearly ended his career. Hemissed 13 games during the 2009 season,but returned for a late-seasonpush to the playoffs and hasn’t misseda game since. Charged with calling outthe blocking schemes and makingchanges at the line of scrimmage, Hardwickhas a close bond with quarterbackPhilip Rivers. A year ago they appeared together on thecover of Sports Illustrated’s NFL Preview issue.When Hardwick started all 16 games for the NFL’s No. 1ranked offense in 2010, teammates honored him with ashare of the team’s Emil Karas Memorial Award as its mostinspirational player.A Pro Bowl selection in 2006, Hardwick has been astarter since his rookie season (2004). The Chargers haverushed for at least 1,700 yards in every season that he hasstarted at least 12 games, including a team-record 2,578yards in ’06.Hardwick grew up in Indianapolis where he was a standoutprep wrestler with dreams of becoming a Marine avia-tor. One of his father’s cousins, Joe McCormick, was a formerAir Force pilot and Hardwick acquired his pilot’s licensebefore he turned 18. He earned the money to pay for hisflying lessons by collecting golf balls at a local driving range.With an eye toward the service, Hardwick went to Purdueon a Marine Corps ROTC Scholarship. But after formerChargers quarterback Drew Brees led the Boilermakers tothe 2001 Rose Bowl, Hardwick saw the excitement it generatedon the Purdue campus, and the following fall hedecided to walk on to the school’s football team. A yearafter earning a spot as a scout team defensive tackle, Hardwickbecame the Boilermakers’ starting center and earnedall-conference honors. His wife, Jayme, is also a former Boilermaker.She played soccer for Purdue’s women’s team.Hardwick maintains close ties to his alma mater. In 2007,he endowed a football scholarship at the school that isgiven annually to a walk-on player who earns it, just asHardwick did. And in 2008, Purdue presented him with theDrew Brees Mental Attitude Award, presented by the JoeTiller/Northwest Indiana Chapter of the National FootballFoundation. Hardwick became the fourth former Boilermakerto receive the award. Brees chooses the winnereach year to recognize an athlete who exemplifies exceptionalmental attitude.Owner of a management degree from Purdue, Hardwickis the Chargers’ union representative and he guided theplayers through the NFL Lockout in 2011. He sharpenedhis business acumen when he attended the NFL’s Businessand Entrepreneurial Program at the Wharton School at theUniversity of Pennsylvania in 2009. It is a special programwhere NFL players and front office employees spend aweek learning a broad range of business topics from someof the country’s most well-known educators.In December 2011, the Hardwicks became first-timeparents. Son, Hudson Harold, was born the night beforethe Chargers’ nationally-televised game against the BaltimoreRavens. NBC showed America a picture of baby Hudsonduring the following night’s game broadcast.Hardwick supports the Marine Corps-Law EnforcementFoundation (MCLEF), an organization that raises money toprovide advanced education for the children of Marinesand law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Healso enjoys reading and drawing. As a youth in Indianapolis,Hardwick played hockey on a traveling team that competedthroughout the U.S. and Canada.VETERANS &RETURNING PLAYERSTRANSACTION HISTORY: Third-round pick (66), April 24,2004…signed July 29...signed six-year contract, June 16, 2006and three-year deal, March 14, 2012.2011: Chargers’ Lineman of Year...Pro Bowl third-alternate...anchoredline in season-high 206-yard rushing dayOct. 9 at Denver...part of offensive line that earned MaddenProtectors Award after not allowing any sacks in 26 passplays and helping to block for 153 rush yards and touchdownin season-ending win at Oakland. 2010: Chargers’ co-MostInspirational Player...offensive line blocked for 180 rushMEDIA GUIDE | 67yards and allowed just one sack in 41-10 win vs. Arizona Oct.3...offensive line named Madden Most Valuable Protectorsafter season-high 207 yards rushing in 31-0 win vs. KansasCity Dec. 12. 2009: Injured left ankle Week 1 at Oakland andinactive next 13 games... returned for Dec. 25 win at Tennesseeand helped Chargers rush for 166 yards. 2008: ProBowl third-alternate…inactive Weeks 1-3 (foot)…Week 14at Kansas City, left in 3Q (concussion), but started followingweek when Philip Rivers threw career-high four touchdownsin 41-24 win at Tampa Bay… anchored team-record 289-yardrushing performance in AFC West-clinching win vs. DenverContinued next page