Hardy Nickerson is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He was born on September 1, 1965, in Compton, California, and attended Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles. Nickerson played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a two-time All-American and a three-time All-Pac-10 selection.
Nickerson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played for the Steelers for five seasons, from 1987 to 1992, and was a key member of their defense. Nickerson was known for his hard-hitting style and his ability to stop the run. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1992 and was a first-team All-Pro selection that same year.
In 1993, Nickerson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent. He played for the Buccaneers for nine seasons, from 1993 to 2001, and was the heart and soul of their defense. Nickerson was a team captain for eight seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl five times during his tenure with the Buccaneers. He was also a two-time first-team All-Pro selection.
Nickerson finished his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played for two seasons, from 2002 to 2003. He was a team captain for the Jaguars and was known for his leadership and work ethic. Nickerson retired from the NFL after the 2003 season.
Throughout his career, Nickerson was one of the most respected and feared linebackers in the NFL. He was a tenacious defender who was always around the ball and was known for his ability to make big plays. Nickerson finished his career with 1,588 tackles, 21 sacks, 12 interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles.
After retiring from the NFL, Nickerson went into coaching. He was an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the San Francisco 49ers. In 2016, he was named the defensive coordinator at the University of Illinois, where he coached for two seasons.
In conclusion, Hardy Nickerson was a dominant linebacker in the NFL for 16 seasons. He was a fierce competitor who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike. Nickerson was a five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro selection. He finished his career with over 1,500 tackles and was known for his hard-hitting style and his ability to make big plays. After retiring from the NFL, Nickerson went into coaching and had a successful career as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator.
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