Andre Hardy

Andre Hardy is an author, educator, business leader, and former NFL running back whose work reflects a lifelong commitment to reinvention and resilience. A two-time Hall of Fame inductee and graduate of Antioch University’s MFA program in Creative Writing, he writes with a noir sensibility, exploring themes of identity, morality, justice, and redemption with insight and emotional depth.

His writing spans novels, creative nonfiction, essays, short stories, screenwriting, and long-form narrative. His essays, interviews, and literary criticism have appeared in L.A. Tribe Magazine, Lunch Ticket, and The Los Angeles Review of Books. His short story, “Negro in a Hot Tub,” is featured in Made in L.A.: An Anthology of Stories Rooted in the City of Angels.

Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1984 NFL Draft, Hardy also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks during his professional football career. His athletic achievements earned him induction into both the Hoover High School and Saint Mary's College Sports Halls of Fame. He is a member of the NFL Retired Players Association and the NFL Legends Community, and completed his MFA through the NFL Players Trust tuition reimbursement program.

In addition to his writing, Hardy develops creative writing workshops and educational curricula that encourage emerging voices while incorporating narratives of historical and cultural significance. He also mentors student-athletes and advises small business owners, reflecting his belief in empowering others through education, creativity, and service.

Andre Hardy lives in Los Angeles with his wife, renowned Buddhist meditation teacher JoAnna Hardy (photo credit: Tony Franklin).