PRO: Drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft, 41st overall… fifth product of Indiana selected by Buffalo in draft history… tallest wide receiver selected in team history.
PRO: Drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft, 41st overall… fifth product of Indiana selected by Buffalo in draft history… tallest wide receiver selected in team history.
Career:
- Posted his first career touchdown reception on a seven-yard jump ball at Jax (9/14/08) to provide the go-ahead points in a 20-16 victory.
- Recorded his second touchdown reception at New England (11/9/08) … became the first Bills rookie WR with two touchdown receptions since Lee Evans (2004)
2009:
- Placed on PUP list to start the season. Recovering from a knee injury suffered on December 14, 2008 at NY Jets.
- Began practicing with the team on Monday, October 19, 2009. Added to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, November 11th.
- at TEN (11/15), at JAX (11/22), vs. MIA (11/29), vs. NYJ (12/3), at KC (12/13), vs. NE (12/20) Inactive.
- at ATL (12/27) Saw action in his first game of the 2009 season. Posted one reception for nine yards.
- vs. IND (1/3) Saw action at wide receiver, but did not record a reception.
2008:
- Made NFL debut in season-opener vs. Sea. (9/7)
- Scored his first touchdown of his career at Jac. (9/14) on a seven-yard jump ball in the fourth quarter, giving the Bills a 17-16 lead and go-ahead score… earlier in the fourth quarter, caught first pass of NFL career for a five-yard gain
- Made first career start at Ariz. (10/5), finishing with career-highs in receptions (3) and receiving yards (35)
- Posted two catches for 19 yards at Mia.(10/26)
- Made his second career start vs. NYJ (11/2), but did not record any stats
- Hauled in his second career touchdown reception at NE (11/9)… posted two catches for 21 yards… became the first rookie WR with two TD receptions in team history since Lee Evans (2004)
- Left the game due to a leg injury at NYJ (12/14)
- Placed on injured reserve (12/27)
COLLEGE: Became the only wide receiver in Indiana history to surpass 2,500 yards, 175 receptions and 35 touchdowns… finished career with 36 scores on 191 catches for 2,740 yards… Started 26 of 36 games played… also contributed on the basketball team as a freshman, playing in 23 games during the 2004-05 season… started three times.
PERSONAL: Attended Elmhurst (Fort Wayne, IN) High School, where he was a standout in both football and basketball… Named All-SAC as a wide receiver after making 34 catches for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior… was a Class 4A All-State selection by the Indiana Football Coaches Association… ranks as Fort Wayne’s all-time leading basketball scorer… two-time recipient of the Tiffany Gooden Award, given to the most outstanding male or female player in The Summit Athletic Conference, as chosen by The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette… led the basketball team to a Class AAA state runner-up finish in 2002-03 after averaging 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists… as a senior, Hardy averaged 27.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists, as the team finished with a 16-8 record.
COMMUNITY: James is one of the most active Buffalo Bills in the community, volunteering his time at a number of community events. In 2008, James participated in the Toyota Rookie Club appearing at numerous community events throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario. Each month, James and all first year players did one community appearance as a group. During the 2008 season the Toyota Rookie Club events included a visit to Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, the Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, a trip to the Northwest Buffalo Community Center to serve Thanksgiving Dinner and hosted the Annual Bills Holiday Party for children at Ralph Wilson Stadium to approximately 300 children and families.
In 2009, James received the Ed Block Courage Award which is presented to the Bills player who exemplifies a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. The recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength, dedication and serves as a community role model for others.
ABC’s hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to Buffalo’s West Side in November of 2009. James, along with other Bills players participated on move in day. James and his fellow teammates carried in couches, mattresses, tables and chairs to make the family feel at home again. Once the move was complete, James hung around on the construction site to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the other volunteers and ABC’s crew!
Along with fellow teammate Derek Schouman, James also participated in the announcement of 12,000 cans of Campbell’s Chunky Soup courtesy of Buffalo Bills fans everywhere being donated to the Food Bank of WNY. The Bills, Campbell’s Chunky Soup and the NFL donated the cans to the Food Bank of WNY in recognition of the Bills second place finish in the Campbell’s Chunky soup “Click for Cans” Championship. James Hardy appeared at the Food Bank of WNY to show his support and assist with the soup can delivery to different community organizations. James was also a part of the Buffalo Bills Hospitalized Veterans Day Visit as well as reading to a group of students to kick off National Read to Me Month to honor the famous children’s author, Dr. Seuss on his birthday March 2nd.
In addition to being involved with the community of Buffalo, James went to Toronto to participate in the 2009 Conn Symthe Dinner where he sat at the head table signing autographs and posing for pictures in support of the kids that were honored at the dinner. This dinner is meant to raise money and awareness for youth and young adults in Ontario with physical disabilities.
