Nick Hardwick earned his induction to the Breitbard Hall of Fame because he played 136 games at center for the Chargers during one of the most successful periods in franchise history.

He is a San Diego icon, a damn hero, because he stayed when he could have left.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Hardwick said in an instant when I asked him about his plans last fall should the Chargers end up doing what they ended up doing.


When he said it, it was as certain as LaDainian Tomlinson from the 1-yard line. Money in the bank. That I knew from covering Hardwick during his 11 NFL seasons.

Moreover, it was also predictable how boldly and proudly Hardwick followed through on that pledge to remain – candidly ripping the Spanos family’s “entitlement” and acknowledging he felt used in the same way fans were along the way.

Still, he came to town because of the team and played 11 seasons for the team.

After retiring following the 2014 season – which included a Pro Bowl, five seasons as a captain, twice voted by teammates as the most inspirational player and a franchise-record 10 postseason starts – he spent the past two years working for the team in its digital programming department and as a commentator on its radio broadcasts.


He appeared at fan rallies on his own time and also on behalf of the Chargers. He hosted official Measure C campaign events, selling the virtues of the Chargers and their proposed stadium.

Only because he and super fan Boltman occasionally were seen in the same place was it known for sure Hardwick was not the one beneath the lightning bolt mask.

This man has been a Charger through and through.

“Oh my God, I love this team,” Hardwick said last week. “I love the San Diego Chargers. That’s who I played for, that’s who I fought for. The players, the coaches, their families, the city. That’s what made it fun – fighting for this city the people I know in this community.”


His responding so decisively and derisively when they left might have seemed a surprise if not for the fact he is who he is.

And that means true to his word, a little unconventional and entirely unique.

Hardwick was a high school wrestler, went to Purdue on an ROTC scholarship and wanted nothing more than to be a Marine.

He fell in love with football while Drew Brees was leading the Boilermakers to the Rose Bowl and declared his intentions to walk on to the team the next spring. He hadn’t played a down of football since middle school but made the roster as a defensive lineman. He gained so much weight in his quest to become a Big Ten offensive lineman – eating hamburger with butter and anything else with thousands of calories – that he developed ulcers.


He ended up starting two seasons at center for Purdue. The Chargers selected him in the third round of the 2004 draft. He started 14 game his rookie year – snapping the ball to Brees as the Chargers went 12-4 and made the playoffs.

He played through a foot injury in 2007 that should have crippled him and for which he now considers two wires and a couple screws a permanent part of his body. An ankle injury robbed him of most of his 2009 season.

He was advised by more than one doctor in that period that his chances of playing much longer were slim.

He went on to start 50 straight games between 2010 and 2014, including two playoff games after the ‘13 season with an injured neck and the ‘14 season opener in which that neck injury was aggravated in what would end up being his final game.


At his retirement ceremony less than five months later, he weighed about 210 pounds. That was about 80 pounds lighter than in his final game.

Hardwick only does things all the way.

For that, he’s a champion in San Diego.

“For me to think about being in a sports museum in a major city … it’s a massive honor,” Hardwick said. “It can’t be understated. It’s such a huge statement. I’m incredibly grateful. Obviously, my name is in there, but it’s the coaches and players I fought alongside of and for. Everybody is a part of it.


“One thing you’re always considering as you’re coming up is what your legacy will be. If this is as good as my legacy gets as far as sports go, I am completely content.”

As he is in San Diego.

kevin.acee@sduniontribune.com