Pro Football’s “Dirtiest Player”

That is not really a moniker that one would want to be attached to, but from 1948 through 1960 it was commonly used in reference to Hardy Brown.

Sometimes observers varied and said he was the toughest player in pro football, but “toughest” and “dirtiest” were pretty much lumped together.

Hardy Brown ended his career with the Denver Broncos in the 1960 inaugural season, playing defensive back and linebacker with his 6-0, 193-pound frame.

Before coming to Denver Brown had moved around a lot, earning his nickname of “thumper” at every stop.