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The body of a man found in the Maumee River in Indiana on Wednesday has been identified by local authorities as that of former Bills wide receiver James Hardy. He was 31.Hardy had been reported missing on May 30th. The coroner's office has yet to announce a cause of death.
Hardy was a standout high school athlete growing up in Indiana, playing football and basketball at Elmhurst High School. After graduating, he attended Indiana University, and was a two-sport athlete his freshman year before quitting basketball in order to better focus on football. Hardy still holds the Hoosier receiving records for career receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
In 2008 he was drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Bills, appearing in 16 games over two seasons with the team. In Week 2 of the 2008 season with the Buffalo facing off against Jacksonville, Hardy scored a fourth quarter touchdown that proved to be the game winner.
The Bills tweeted out condolences to his family.
Indiana University Athletics is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of James Hardy.https://t.co/Slf731eCGj pic.twitter.com/Am10vn1GkF
- Indiana Football (@HoosierFootball) June 8, 2017Our support is with the Hardy family after the passing of former Bills WR James Hardy. pic.twitter.com/4ZgLDUwyPA
- Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) June 8, 2017