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Richard Tardits

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Richard Tardits
Birth nameRichard Tardits
Date of birth (1965-07-30) July 30, 1965 (age 59)
Place of birthBayonne,
Pyrénées-Atlantiques,
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Height1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight110 kg (240 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Mystic River Rugby Club ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1993–1999 United States 24 (10)
Football career
Career information
Position(s)Linebacker
US collegeGeorgia
NFL draft1989 / Round: 5 / Pick: 123
(By the Phoenix Cardinals)
Career history
As player
1989*[1]Phoenix Cardinals
1990–1992New England Patriots
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career stats

Richard Tardits (born July 30, 1965), is a former American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), and a former rugby union footballer for the United States national rugby union team. He held the record for most sacks in a career at the University of Georgia,[2] until surpassed by David Pollack in 2004, and he was referred to as 'Le Sack' by fans because of his French birth.

Playing career

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Tardits was born in Bayonne, France. He was former player on the French junior national rugby team and a participant in the Running of the Bulls at Pamplona, he was a walk-on for the Georgia Bulldogs.[3] During his NFL playing days, he sponsored a semipro football team in his French hometown of Biarritz.[4]

During his NFL career, he also helped the Mystic River Rugby Club reach the national finals. He later represented the United States in rugby.

NFL career

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Phoenix Cardinals

  • 1989: 5th round Draft pick (123rd overall)[5]

New England Patriots

  • 1990: 2 G, 1 GS
  • 1991: 16 G, 1FR
  • 1992: 9 G

Career Totals: 27 Games, 1 Game Start, 1 Fumble Recovery

Rugby Career (USA Eagles)

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Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup Qualifiers

  • 1994–1996 (3 Games, 1 Try)

Pacific Rim Championship

  • 1996–1997 (3 Games)
  • 1997–1998 (1 Game)
  • 1998–1999 (5 Games)

Pan-American Championship

  • 1996–1997 (1 Game)

Friendlies

  • 02/10/1993 v Australia
  • 12/03/1994 v Bermuda (1 Try)
  • 21/05/1994 v Canada
  • 05/11/1994 v Ireland
  • 06/01/1996 v Ireland (1 Try)
  • 11/01/1997 v Wales
  • 12/04/1998 v Spain (Sub)
  • 25/07/1998 v Fiji (Sub)

Other Club Affiliations:

References

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  1. ^ "Richard Tardits". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  2. ^ Wahl, Grant (September 6, 1999). "Huge Splash Across The Pond". Sports Illustrated.
  3. ^ Hersch, Hank (October 24, 1988). "Vive Le Sac!". Sports Illustrated.
  4. ^ King, Peter (October 24, 1988). "The NFL". Sports Illustrated.
  5. ^ "1989 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-26.