Identified as a top Seattle-area talent in 1990, Fred Hardwell was already a 6'4" 225lb TE/LB prospect out of Garfield High.  Originally recruited by Eastern Washington, Fred attended Walla Walla Community College as the best pass rusher for the Blue Devils in 1991.  An injury and subsequent back surgery shelved his collegiate career and an opportunity to return to Eastern once healed.  This was the era of no medical hardship seasons, and major injuries were the end of many football careers.  However, Hardwell got his second chance with semi pro football when he met Ken Austin and signed on with the Puget Sound Jets in 1993.

Fred was not satisfied with being just another guy on a championship caliber team; Hardwell wanted to PLAY the championship level teams, so after his initial foray with the Jets, he switched to the Seattle Blue Devils where Jeff Scott was defensive coordinator earning his first All-NWFL honor.  The Blue Devils shut down following the 1998 season and Fred re-joined the Puget Sound Jets winning the '99 NWFL Championship.

Scott formed the King County Jaguars in 1999 and Fred was one of the core defenders laying the foundation with King County and in 2000 earned 3rd team All-NWFL honors.

As a Jaguar in 2007, Hardwell was named the NWFL defensive player of the year on a 13-1 team that narrowly lost to the Dallas Diesel in the North American League playoffs.  The following season, Hardwell and Scott would join forces once again to win the Northwest League title with the Puget Sound Titans, going 14-0 and defeating the Denver Titans in the Far West Football Association Championship.

Throughout the 1990s - 2000's Hardwell was one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the Northwest Football League, consistently landing on the All-League teams and being a high rank on the tackle charts.

Fred has remained involved with football helping coach the Puyallup Junior Vikings football club.

2010 - North American League NW Cascade Division Champions (Bears)

2008 NWFL All-League 1st Team - NWFL Champions (Titans)

2007 NWFL Defensive Player of the Year

2007 NWFL All-League 1st Team - NWFL Champions (Jaguars)

2006 NWFL All-League 1st Team - NWFL Champions (Jaguars)

2005 - Northwest League (NWFL) Champions (Jaguars)

1999 NWFL All-League 3rd Team - NWFL Champions (Jets)

1998 PFL All-League (Seattle Blue Devils)