Ben Gardner

Benjamin David Gardner (born April 29, 1991) is an American former football linebacker. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the San Diego Chargers.

Early life

Gardner graduated in 2009 from Homestead High School. As a senior in 2008–09, Gardner was a team captain and defensive end on the football team which won the Wisconsin Division I state championship.

He received numerous top honors including 2008 Associated Press 1st-team All-State; 2008 WFCA 1st-Team All-State; 2008 all-North Shore Conference First;

Gardner did not see field action in his first year (2009). As a sophomore or "redshirt freshman" in 2010, Gardner saw action in 11 games on special teams and as a second-string defensive end. He logged three tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack.

In 2011, he started 12 of 13 games, including the Fiesta Bowl vs. 13th nationally ranked Oklahoma state. Gardner recorded 35 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He was named to the All-Pac-12 Conference 2nd Team, and received Stanford's Deswarte-Eller Award honoring the most outstanding (redshirt) sophomore. Gardner ranked 13th in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss per game, and 16th in sacks per game. Playing at #7-ranked Notre Dame, Gardner made two solo tackles, one fumble recovery, and one sack which caused a fumble that was recovered for a Stanford touchdown. Gardner's season also included 49 tackles, 5 passes broken up, and 2 quarterback hurries.

He chose to return to Stanford for a fifth year in 2013, rather than enter the NFL draft, but it ended early because of a torn pectoral muscle he suffered against Oregon State University.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys Gardner was selected in the seventh round (231 overall) of the 2014 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys. On August 26, he was placed on the injured reserve list after having surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left shoulder. The next year, the team brought in new talent at the defensive end position (Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory, Ryan Russell) and he was eventually waived on September 5, 2015.

San Diego Chargers On November 4, 2015, Gardner was signed to the San Diego Chargers practice squad and switched to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. On September 3, 2016, he was cut by the Chargers. The next day, he was signed to the Chargers' practice squad. He was released on October 4.