Nick Hardwick

Nicholas Adam Hardwick (born September 2, 1981 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American football center for the San Diego Chargers. Hardwick joined the Purdue University football team in 2002 as a defensive tackle on the scout team. The next year, he became the team’s starting center and earned all-conference honors. He said that part of the reason he joined the Purdue football team was due to the team's 2001 Rose Bowl appearance. Hardwick's form... more

Nicholas Adam Hardwick (born September 2, 1981 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American football center for the San Diego Chargers. Hardwick joined the Purdue University football team in 2002 as a defensive tackle on the scout team. The next year, he became the team’s starting center and earned all-conference honors. He said that part of the reason he joined the Purdue football team was due to the team's 2001 Rose Bowl appearance. Hardwick's former Charger teammate Drew Brees was the quarterback of that team. Hardwick was picked with the 66th overall selection in the 3rd round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Chargers. (* represents NFL Combine) Hardwick has made 50 starts since he joined the Chargers in 2004. During the 2006 off-season, he agreed to a five-year $17 million contract extension with the Chargers. Hardwick was a former high school wrestler at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. In December 2006, Hardwick was named the backup center for the AFC squad in the 2007 Pro... less