Selected second overall out of Illinois in the 1996 NFL Draft, consensus All-American linebacker Kevin Hardy arrived in North Florida as a cornerstone blueprint for an ambitious second-year franchise. Stepping straight into the starting lineup, Hardy possessed an elite blend of sideline-to-sideline range and pass-rushing instincts, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors while helping propel the young Jaguars to a shock appearance in the AFC Championship Game during his debut campaign.

Hardy’s multi-faceted playmaking served as an engine for Jacksonville’s linebacking corps through the late 1990s. After putting up a 112-tackle season in 1998, he put together a career-defining performance during Jacksonville's dominant 14–2 run in 1999. That year, Hardy recorded 96 combined tackles, a career-high 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception, accumulating a team-high 17 Approximate Value. His remarkable campaign earned him Pro Bowl honors and a First-Team AP All-Pro selection. Following six seasons anchoring the defense in teal, Hardy went on to play for Dallas and Cincinnati before concluding his nine-year NFL career.

Overall, Hardy had 28.5 sacks, 504 combined tackles (402 solo, 102 assists), 30 tackles for loss and five interceptions for the Jags.