Hardy Brown

Hardy Brown (May 8, 1924 – November 8, 1991) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League, All-America Football Conference, and the American Football League. He played college football at the University of Tulsa and then professionally for the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and the Denver Broncos. He was one of only two men who played in the All-America Football Conference, the National Football League, and the American Football League. (The other was Ben Agajanian.)

When Brown was four years old, he witnessed the murder of his father. He was then sent, along with his brothers and sisters, to live at the Texas Masonic Home, an orphanage for the children of deceased Freemasons in Fort Worth, Texas. At the Masonic Home, Brown became friends with Tex Coulter. Brown was a standout football player for the Mighty Mites, leading them to the state semi-finals his senior year. He then briefly enlisted in the U. S. Army before playing football at Tulsa and eventually in the NFL. Brown became known as one of the roughest defensive players in the game, knocking out numerous opponents with his trademark shoulder push. The Rams once offered a bounty to any player who could take him out, and he had his shoulder pads checked before a game once to make sure he did not have metal plating or other such material stuffed in them.

Brown died in 1991 at a mental institution.

Hardy Brown is featured prominently in the book, "Twelve Mighty Orphans: The Inspiring True Story of the Mighty Mites Who Ruled Texas Football" by Jim Dent.

NFL Network
On the show Top Ten, Hardy was marked as #5 on "The Hardest Hitters of All Time" segment.