Position: Cornerback Name Rich Gardner Weight: 194 lb (88 kg) | Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | |
Date of birth: (1981-02-01) February 1, 1981 (age 34) High school: Hales Franciscan (1995–1999) | ||
Place of birth: Carbondale, Illinois | ||
Richard James Gardner (born February 1, 1981) is an American professional football player. He currently plays defensive back for Kiel Baltic Hurricanes of the German Football League. He played three seasons in the National Football League for the Tennessee Titans from 2004–2005, and the Seattle Seahawks in 2006.
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High school and College
Gardner attended Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago, Illinois where he also played basketball and ran track and field. Despite coming to Penn State as a walk-on in 1999, Gardner started every game in his final two seasons. He totaled 141 tackles, two fumble recoveries, 15 pass deflections and three interceptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He was named a third-team All-American his senior year and honorable mention All-Big Ten his senior and junior years. He graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Arts in economics in December 2003.
NFL
A third-round draft pick (#92 overall) for the Titans in 2004, the 5'10", 195 lb. Gardner made 24 tackles and an interception in his two seasons there, playing cornerback and special teams. He was waived by the Titans on September 4, 2006. He signed with the Seahawks in week 17 of the 2006 season and was waived by the team on July 11, 2007.