IllustrateD volume 24, issue 4 47
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BY ALAN KARPICK
AKarpick@GoldandBlack.com
T
he Nick Hardwick story is
one of the most amazing
and inspiring in Purdue sports
history.
When Hardwick enrolled at
Purdue, he hadn't played orga-
nized football since his fresh-
man year at Lawrence North
High School in 1995. But Hard-
wick had the competitive fire
and was a standout wrestler,
finishing second in the state at
the 171-pound class in 1999.
In West Lafayette, he devel-
oped a passion for Boilermaker
football as a student. He watched
from the stands as Drew Brees
led Purdue to Pasadena, so he
decided to walk on to the team
in 2001 as a defensive lineman.
Within two years, he added about 120 pounds to
his frame and was starting as an offensive lineman.
That is where Triple XXX played its part.
"I lived down the street and I would go in there all
the time," Hardwick said. "I walked on to the team
at 230 pounds, and by the time I left I was 285. I
would give Triple XXX credit for at least 30 of those
pounds."
Hardwick was just a regular student when he
started visiting the X. But the Breakfast Special,
which includes two eggs cooked to order, bacon,
fried potatoes and toast, was his daily staple.
Hardwick bristles at the notion of being labeled
famous at any level, but he does recall his days
heading into the restaurant when no one knew who
he was. But that passion for Purdue football and the
history of the program was a selling point to Hard-
wick.
"I was going there with my buddies," he said. "It's
p r e s e n t s : t h e s t o r y b e h i n d t h e s a n d w i c h
I'll Take 'The Special'
Hardwick credits restaurant with body transformation
Triple XXX Family Restaurants Route 66 Diner
Salutes Nick Hardwick
Indiana's Oldest Drive-In
On the Hill, But on the Level
Since 1929
Triplexxxfamilyrestaurant.com
San Diego Chargers
Nick Hardwick has enjoyed a decade-long career all with the San Diego Chargers. He
has one year left on his contract and plans to honor it in 2014.
