As the Buffalo Bills are heading into yet another season, one former member of the team has passed away.
According to multiple reports, former Bills wide receiver James Hardy was confirmed as the person found dead on Wednesday in the Maumee River. Hardy's body was pulled from the river, only to be identified on Thursday.
Former #Bills WR James Hardy has been found dead in Indiana.
— Jay Skurski (@JaySkurski) June 8, 2017
BREAKING | Coroner confirms man pulled from the Maumee River yesterday was former Elmhurst, IU and NFL standout James Hardy.
— NewsChannel15 (@wane15) June 8, 2017
Hardy, a former 2008 second-round pick of the Bills, was 31 years old.
The Bills issued a team statement on the death of Hardy:
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of James hard today. We send our condolences to the Hardy family as they deal with this tragic loss."
He spent two seasons with the Bills before being released by the team in the training camp leading up to the 2010 season. In his career, he appeared in 16 games, caught 10 passes for 96 yards, and had two touchdowns in his rookie season.
He didn't find another home in the NFL during the regular season after being released by the Bills.
More to come as it becomes available.
