From Super Bowl hero to movie extra, Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman has many roles
With one reception, Mecole Hardman’s life became a whirlwind.
This was no ordinary catch, of course. On the receiving end of Tom and Jerry, Right, Yellow, Hardman slid from the right slot and as he approached the end zone and snared Patrick Mahomes’ perfect pass. For the first time, a Super Bowl ended on a walk-off touchdown reception.
The Chiefs had defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime.
Over the next few weeks, Hardman turned celebrity with appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Today Show. Then he became an actor, landing a part in the upcoming Hallmark movie, “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
And he became a father for a second time, to a daughter, and got engaged to sweetheart Chariah Gordon.
“I was able to capitalize on certain opportunities after the Super Bowl,” Hardman said. “But it’s kind of like one of those things you enjoy, then after that you got to get back to business, get back to working out, get stronger (and) faster and so you can get ready for this camp like this.”
Much of this happened, at least after the catch, while his future was uncertain. The Chiefs had reacquired Hardman, a second-round draft pick in 2019, a few weeks into last season after trading him to the New York Jets.
He became a free agent after the season and looked around before returning to the Chiefs, who held their first full squad practice at training camp on Sunday.
“I had a few options,” Hardman said. “This one made the most sense. I wanted to make sure everything made the most sense to me. I know the system, I know the coaches, I’m very familiar with the scheme.”
Hardman signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs for $1.125 million, and returns to a wide receiver room that has added a first-round pick in Xavier Worthy and free-agent signee Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
Hardman’s also a depth piece, especially if Rashee Rice receives a suspension for his off-field issues, along with Justin Watson, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney.
Among KC’s wide receivers, no one has more experience with the Chiefs than Hardman, who in 63 career regular-season games has 165 receptions with 16 touchdowns and a 13.4 yards-per-catch average.
He’s turned in big postseason games, like a 50-yard effort against the Buffalo Bills in the Chiefs’ 2020 AFC Divisional Round victory. Against the 49ers last season, Hardman had a 52-yard reception in addition to his game-winner.
“He has a great attitude for a guy return for the sixth year,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “He has an idea how things work. He’s smart, he knows ins and outs of the routes, and he’s a good communicator. I give him credit how he’s approaching it.”
Special teams remain a possibility. Hardman was a Pro Bowl return specialist in 2019 as a rookie, when he returned punts and kickoffs.
Hardman seeks any role he can find ... on the team and in the movies.
“I always wanted to act,” he said. “One of my goals was to be in a movie, (but) I want to be in a bigger role, a bigger movie. I’m trying to get around the right people.”
He’s already nailed the part of Super Bowl hero.