Tommy Hart

Tommy Lee Hart (November 7, 1944 – November 20, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Morris Brown Wolverines. Hart was a defensive line coach for the 49ers from 1983 to 1991 and for the Dallas Cowboys from 1996 to 1997. His was selected to the Pro Bowl and as an All-Pro in 1976, after leading a 49ers' defense with 17 quarterback sacks. The 1976 49ers unofficially set the team record for quarterback sacks (61, in 14 games). Hart coached the 49ers' defensive line on the 1985 team that officially had 60 sacks in 16 games. Hart had six quarterback sacks in a single game, also causing three fumbles, against the Los Angeles Rams in 1976.

Early life Hart was born on November 7, 1944, in Macon, Georgia, to Anthonia and Minnie Lee Hart. The Harts had 10 children in total, but two died. Hart was the second oldest.

Hart attended Ballard-Hudson High School, where he was a three-year starter on the school's football team under head coach Robert Slocum; playing both offensive and defensive tackle. Hart was the team's most valuable player during his senior season (1963). Hart had a long bus ride to and from school each day, and a long walk from the bus stop to his home. On days he missed the bus home because of football practice, Hart would have to walk all the way home from school; and might not arrive until 11:00 o’clock at night. He was also on the track and field team. In May 1963, he received the Atlanta Life Insurance Award as Ballard-Hudson's best all-around athlete.

College career Hart attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). He originally believed he had received a football scholarship from Morris Brown, and came to the school to practice with the football team. Upon arriving, Hart learned he did not have such a scholarship. Though Hart considered returning home that day, he went ahead and scrimmaged with the football team. He was offered a four-year scholarship the next day. He also won track titles in the discus throw and 220-yard dash.

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers Hart was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 10th round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft, 261st overall. Hart was originally drafted as a linebacker, weighing only 213 lb (96.6 kg). As a rookie, he was a reserve linebacker and special teams player, appearing in only five games, after being activated to play by the 49ers in mid-November. Hart was placed on the military reserve list in early September 1968, and was in the military for part of the 1968 season. He was also on the 49ers taxi squad for part of his rookie season. After the season, 49ers' linebacker coach Mike Giddings made a strong argument that the team should keep Hart going into the next season. Although still light by defensive end standards in the NFL, Hart had a powerful physique and huge hands. Hart also believed his speed made up for his lack of weight. Defensive line coach Paul Wiggin had the biggest influence on Hart's development as a defensive end. three times, and blocked one of his passes. Wiggin said after two games that Hart had played so well Hindman would have to win the job back from Hart once he returned from injury. The 49ers lost the 1970 NFC Championship Game to the Dallas Cowboys, 17–10; Hart starting in that game. Hart suffered a knee injury in that game when three Cowboys players blocked him during a kickoff return. In a late October game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Hart recovered a fumble after 49ers right defensive end Cedrick Hardman sacked quarterback Pete Beathard, and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers won the NFC West Division that season with a 9–5 record, The 49ers lost to the Cowboys again in the 1971 NFC Championship Game, 14–3. Hart had four solo tackles and seven assisted tackles in the championship game.

Hart had a career-high 17 sacks in 1972, second highest of any player in the NFL that season. He intercepted an Archie Manning pass in an early October game against the New Orleans Saints. In a Thanksgiving Day game win over the Dallas Cowboys, 31–10, he sacked quarterback Craig Morton three times. He was a United Press International (UPI) honorable-mention All-NFC that year. He was sixth in the Associated Press' Defensive Player of the Year voting. The 49ers led the NFL in quarterback sacks (46) that season, with a defensive line that included Hart (left defensive end), Hardman (right defensive end), Charlie Krueger (left defensive tackle) and Earl Edwards (right defensive tackle). The 49ers lost to the Cowboys again in the playoffs, this time in the divisional round, 30–28. Hart recovered a fumble in that game.

Hart had 10.5 sacks in 1973, with one fumble recovery; seven sacks and one fumble recovery in 1974; and 7.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 1975. He was on a defensive line with Hardman and right tackle Bob Hoskins all three seasons.

Hart was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the only time in the 1976 season. He had 16 quarterback sacks, third best in the NFL that season. This included six sacks in a single game against 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 256 lb (116.1 kg) quarterback James Harris of the Los Angeles Rams, on October 11, in a 16–0 win over the favored Rams. His six sacks forced three Harris fumbles; the 49ers scoring after recovering two of those fumbles. Hart called it the greatest game of his career. He also had one fumble recovery and a safety that season.

Hart finished third in voting for the Associated Press' Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. The unofficial total of 61 sacks, set in a 14-game season, is the most in 49ers history for a season.

Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints Hart started 16 games at left defensive end for the Bears in 1978, with 7.5 sacks, one safety and one forced fumble. He was second on the team in sacks to future Hall of Fame tackle Alan Page. In 1979, he was a reserve defensive end, appearing in 15 games without any starts. He was replaced at left defensive end by rookie, and future Hall of Fame defensive end, Dan Hampton. Hart finished his playing career with the New Orleans Saints in 1980, after being acquired from the Bears in July. He started 12 games at right defensive end, with three sacks.

Over his 13-year career, he started 140 of 170 games in which he appeared, with 83 quarterback sacks, eight fumble recoveries, two interceptions, two safeties, and two touchdowns.

In 1983, 49ers' future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh hired Hart as an assistant defensive line coach.

When Haley was a rookie in 1986, everything was new to him, including how to sack quarterbacks in the NFL. He said of Hart, "You have great guys like . . . Tommy Hart around that give you all the insight into that kind of stuff. You know, Tommy Hart is the greatest player. He's just the greatest. He went up and grabbed some old game film. After that, I was a new man". Haley had over 100 sacks in his 13-year career. Hart moved to the 49ers' scouting department in 1992 and worked as a 49ers' scout through 1993. the second highest total in team history behind the 1976 team's unofficial 61 sacks.

In 1996, Hart joined the Dallas Cowboys as the defensive ends or defensive line coach. In 1998, he was hired by the Cowboys as the team's West area scout, and worked in that role through 2005. After Hart's 1972 season, 49ers defensive coach Paul Wiggin said he would not trade Hart for any other defensive end, because he knew "how much desire Tommy has". and reportedly was in military service for part of 1968 in the United States during his first NFL season.

Hart died on November 20, 2024. He was survived by Cherrie Hart, his wife of 56 years; along with four daughters and six grandchildren.