Richard Tardits (born July 30, 1965), is a former American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), and a former rugby union footballer for the United States national rugby union team. He held the record for most sacks in a career at the University of Georgia, until surpassed by David Pollack in 2004, and he was referred to as 'Le Sack' by fans because of his French birth.
Playing career Tardits was born in Bayonne, France. He was former player on the French junior national rugby team and a participant in the Running of the Bulls at Pamplona, he was a walk-on for the Georgia Bulldogs. During his NFL playing days, he sponsored a semipro football team in his French hometown of Biarritz.
During his NFL career, he also helped the Mystic River Rugby Club reach the national finals. He later represented the United States in rugby.
NFL career Phoenix Cardinals 1989: 5th round Draft pick (123rd overall) New England Patriots 1990: 2 G, 1 GS 1991: 16 G, 1FR 1992: 9 G Career Totals: 27 Games, 1 Game Start, 1 Fumble Recovery
Rugby Career (USA Eagles) Rugby World Cup 1999 (1 +1 Game) Rugby World Cup Qualifiers 1994–1996 (3 Games, 1 Try) Pacific Rim Championship 1996–1997 (3 Games) 1997–1998 (1 Game) 1998–1999 (5 Games) Pan-American Championship 1996–1997 (1 Game) Friendlies 02/10/1993 v Australia 12/03/1994 v Bermuda (1 Try) 21/05/1994 v Canada 05/11/1994 v Ireland 06/01/1996 v Ireland (1 Try) 11/01/1997 v Wales 12/04/1998 v Spain (Sub) 25/07/1998 v Fiji (Sub) Other Club Affiliations: French National Team (under 21) Biarritz Olympique (France) Mystic River Rugby Club (USA)
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