# Billy Hardee

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American football player (1954–2011)

Billy Hardee No. 23, 37 Position Defensive back Personal information Born (1954-08-12)August 12, 1954 Lakeland, Florida, U.S. Died July 4, 2011(2011-07-04) (aged 56) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Listed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Listed weight 184 lb (83 kg) Career information High school Mulberry College Virginia Tech NFL draft 1976: undrafted Career history Denver Broncos (1976) New York Jets (1977) Calgary Stampeders (1978) Toronto Argonauts (1978–1981) Ottawa Rough Riders (1981-1982) Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars (1984-1985) Stats at Pro Football Reference

**William Abraham Hardee Jr** (August 12, 1954, – July 4, 2011) was an American professional [football](/source/Gridiron_football) player who was a [defensive back](/source/Defensive_back) in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL), [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL) and [United States Football League](/source/United_States_Football_League) (USFL) during the 1970s and 1980s. He played [college football](/source/College_football) for the [Virginia Tech Hokies](/source/Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football).

## College career

Hardee played at [Virginia Tech](/source/Virginia_Tech) from 1972 to 1975. Hardee started his collegiate career as a [wide receiver](/source/Wide_receiver), transitioning to defensive back in 1974. Hardee finished in the Top 10 nationally in 1975, with seven [interceptions](/source/Interception). This, along with his work as a [kickoff returner](/source/Kickoff_returner), earned him Honorable Mention as an [AP](/source/Associated_Press) [All American](/source/College_Football_All-America_Team) and a spot on the National Independent All-Star Football squad. Hardee was elected into the [Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame](/source/List_of_Virginia_Tech_Sports_Hall_of_Fame_inductees) in 2005.

## Professional career

Following graduation from Virginia Tech, Hardee went on to play in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League), the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) and the [United States Football League](/source/United_States_Football_League). Hardee retired from professional football in 1985.

## After retirement

He worked in the administration department at [Lake Region High School](/source/Lake_Region_High_School_(Florida)) in [Eagle Lake, Florida](/source/Eagle_Lake%2C_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](/source/Phoenix%2C_AZ).[1] He was in a coma for two days and died shortly thereafter July 4, 2011.

## External links

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Article 404 - the Ledger - Lakeland, FL"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121004032539/http://www.theledger.com/article/20110704/NEWS/110709802). Archived from [the original](http://www.theledger.com/article/20110704/news/110709802) on October 4, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.

- [Virginia Tech Hall of Fame](http://www.hokiesports.com/wrestling/recaps/20050821aaa.html)

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