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Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is expected to be released from the hospital soon to begin rehab after being shot in the upper leg at a concert in Mississippi on Sunday, sources told CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. Hardy underwent emergency surgery following the incident, according to a statement from the Missouri athletic department.
Hardy led all Power Four running backs last season, rushing for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Tigers.
“Ahmad is deeply loved by his teammates, coaches, friends, family and fans. We will continue to stand beside him and his family through this difficult time, offering our love, prayers, strength and support.”
His story didn’t start with fanfare. Hardy grew up in Oma, Mississippi, a tiny town with five stop signs and no traffic lights, raised in a two-bedroom trailer alongside three siblings by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to keep her kids in sports. He became a star at Lawrence County High, worked at McDonald’s from age 15 until he got to college, and turned his only FBS scholarship offer into a breakout freshman season at Louisiana Monroe before eventually transferring to Missouri.
He made the most of that shot.
Last fall, Hardy put up a career-best 300-yard game against Mississippi State, a performance that helped him finish the season as the SEC’s top running back. He wasn’t shy about what that game meant.
“I’m from Mississippi. A lot of teams didn’t recruit me coming out of high school, so it was kind of personal. But then, again, like I told the guys, the seniors, I was doing it for them.”
Coming out of spring practice last month, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke highly of Hardy’s role within the running back room, specifically his influence on younger players.
“For us at the running back position — Jamal Roberts, Mr. Dependable. Ahmad Hardy comes along, teaches his teammates how to ride a horse. AJ — the outside zone — it’s been impressive to watch him on Twitter riding horses as much as it’s been impressive to watch him on film. He does an excellent job with both.”
Hardy’s timeline for returning to the field this season is still unclear, though his recovery appears to be moving in the right direction.
