Billy Ard

Billy Ard is an American former professional football guard known for his role as a reliable starter on the New York Giants' offensive line, including anchoring the unit that helped the team win Super Bowl XXI following the 1986 season. ^{[1] [2]} Born on March 12, 1959, in East Orange, New Jersey, Ard starred at Watchung Hills Regional High School, earning All-Mid-State Conference, All-County, and All-Area honors in football before attending Wake Forest University on a full scholarship. ^[2] There, he became a three-year starter on the offensive line, received first-team All-ACC and Sporting News All-America recognition in 1980, served as team captain, and participated in the Senior Bowl and Hula Bowl; he was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. ^{[3] [2]} Selected by the New York Giants in the eighth round of the 1981 NFL Draft, Ard earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in his first season and developed into a dependable left guard over eight years with the franchise, contributing to their resurgence under head coach Bill Parcells and the championship run in Super Bowl XXI. ^{[1] [2]} He later played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 1989 to 1991 before retiring, having appeared in 148 regular-season games across his 11-year NFL career. ^[1] In recognition of his contributions to the Giants, Ard was named to the team's All-Century team. ^[2] Following his playing days, Ard coached youth and freshman football for a decade and served as a mentor and speaker at coaching clinics, high schools, and practices across New Jersey, with a focus on developing young offensive linemen. ^[2] He has also been inducted into the NJSIAA Hall of Fame, the Watchung Hills High School Hall of Fame, and received the 2010 Humanitarian of the Year award from the Archdiocese of Metuchen. ^[2]

Early life and education

Background and upbringing

Billy Ard was born William Donovan Ard on March 12, 1959, in East Orange, New Jersey. He grew up in the neighboring community of Watchung, New Jersey, as part of a family of devoted New York Giants fans, with his father serving as a season ticket holder.^[4] Ard later made his home in Watchung following his retirement from the NFL.^[5][6]

High school football

Billy Ard played high school football at Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren Township, New Jersey, where he attended from 1973 to 1977.^[7][2] He was a standout on the varsity team throughout his tenure and earned all-state honors during his senior year in 1976.^[7] Ard also received selections as All-Mid-State Conference, All-County, and All-Area for his play on the offensive line.^[2] In recognition of his contributions to the school's athletic program, he was inducted into the Watchung Hills Regional High School Hall of Fame in 2008.^[7]

College career at Wake Forest

Ard played college football at Wake Forest University as an offensive lineman for the Demon Deacons from 1977 to 1980.^[8] He became a three-year starter during his time with the program.^[5] The team struggled early in his career, with records of 1–10 in both 1977 and 1978, but showed marked improvement in 1979 under head coach John Mackovic, finishing with an 8–4 record.^[9] In his senior season of 1980, Ard earned first-team All-ACC honors and was recognized as an All-America selection, marking his standout performance as one of the top offensive linemen in Wake Forest history.^[5] Following the conclusion of his collegiate eligibility, Ard was selected by the New York Giants in the eighth round of the 1981 NFL Draft.^[1]

Professional football career

New York Giants (1981–1988)

Billy Ard was selected by the New York Giants in the eighth round (221st overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. ^[1] He joined the team as an offensive guard and spent his first eight professional seasons with the Giants from 1981 to 1988. ^[1] During this period, Ard appeared in 113 regular-season games and earned 106 starts, establishing himself as a reliable starter primarily at left guard. ^[1] In his rookie year of 1981, Ard played in 13 games with six starts and earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. ^[1] He quickly transitioned into a full-time role, starting all nine games in the strike-shortened 1982 season and all 16 games in 1983, 1985, 1986, and 1988, while starting 15 in 1984 and 12 in 1987. ^[1] Ard's consistent performance helped anchor the Giants' offensive line throughout the 1980s, contributing to the team's offensive efforts during key seasons. ^[1] Ard played a significant role on the Giants' offensive line during the 1986 season, which culminated in the team's Super Bowl XXI victory. ^[1] He started all 16 regular-season games that year and appeared in postseason play as part of the championship run. ^[1] His tenure with the Giants concluded after the 1988 season, during which he again started all 16 games. ^[1]

Green Bay Packers (1989–1991)

Ard joined the Green Bay Packers as a free agent ahead of the 1989 season, continuing his career as an offensive guard. ^{[1] [10]} He appeared in 35 games over the next three seasons, making 17 starts during his time with the team. ^[1] His participation included 15 games in both 1989 and 1990, followed by 5 games in 1991, reflecting a gradual decrease in playing time. ^[10] Compared to his eight seasons with the New York Giants, Ard's Packers tenure featured fewer starting opportunities as his career wound down. ^[1] He retired from the NFL following the 1991 season, concluding his playing days with the Packers. ^[1] These 35 games and 17 starts contributed to his overall career totals of 148 games played and 123 starts. ^[1]

Career achievements and statistics

Super Bowl XXI championship

Billy Ard was the starting left guard for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXI, the championship game following the 1986 NFL season.^[3][11] The Giants defeated the Denver Broncos 39-20 on January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, securing the franchise's first Super Bowl title.^[12][13] As a key member of the offensive line, Ard helped facilitate the Giants' offensive performance, including protection for quarterback Phil Simms during the decisive second-half surge that produced 30 points.^[6] This victory established Ard as a Super Bowl champion.^[3]

Other honors and stats overview

Billy Ard compiled a solid 11-year NFL career as an offensive lineman, appearing in 148 regular season games and earning the starting role in 123 of them across his time with the New York Giants (1981–1988) and Green Bay Packers (1989–1991). ^[14] He also recorded four fumble recoveries during his professional tenure. ^[14] Pro-Football-Reference's Approximate Value metric, which estimates a player's overall contribution, credits Ard with a career total of 62, reflecting his consistent performance primarily as a guard. ^[1] Individually, Ard was selected to the 1981 PFWA All-Rookie Team following his debut season with the New York Giants. ^[14] During his college career at Wake Forest, he earned first-team All-ACC honors in 1980 as a senior offensive lineman. ^[5] These recognitions highlight his early promise and steady contributions along the offensive line.

Television appearances

NFL regular-season broadcasts

Billy Ard made several appearances as himself during regular-season NFL television broadcasts while an active player, primarily with the New York Giants and briefly with the Green Bay Packers.^[15] These were cameo appearances in game coverage rather than roles as a professional broadcaster or analyst.^[15] He was credited in 15 episodes of The NFL on CBS from 1981 to 1990 as Self – New York Giants/Green Bay Packers Guard.^[15] Ard also appeared in 12 episodes of NFL Monday Night Football from 1982 to 1988 as Self – New York Giants Guard.^[15] Additionally, he had one credited appearance on The NFL on NBC in 1985 as Self – New York Giants Guard and one on ESPN's Sunday Night Football in 1988 as Self – New York Giants Guard.^[15] These credits reflect standard player features in network broadcasts of games or related programming during his career.^[15]

Postseason and Super Bowl specials

Billy Ard appeared as himself in NFL postseason and Super Bowl television specials, credited in broadcasts tied to his active participation as an offensive lineman for the New York Giants. These appearances are documented in his filmography and reflect standard inclusion of key players in game coverage presented as TV specials.^[15] He was credited as Self – New York Giants Guard in the 1986 NFC Championship Game (1987 TV Special), which covered the contest that propelled the Giants to the Super Bowl.^[16] Ard also received a credit as Self – New York Giants Left Guard in Super Bowl XXI (1987 TV Special), the broadcast of the Giants' championship game.^[17] These postseason credits are distinct from his regular-season game appearances and involve no production, commentary, or post-retirement analyst roles.^[15]

Post-retirement life

Professional career after football

After retiring from the NFL following the 1991 season, Billy Ard returned to his residence in Watchung, New Jersey, where he continued a career in financial services that he had begun during his NFL off-seasons. ^[6] He worked as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management from 2009 until 2021. ^[18]

Personal life and family

Billy Ard lives in Watchung, New Jersey, where he has raised his family since retiring from professional football.^[6] He has five children.^[6] His son Brendan Ard won the New Jersey State Wrestling Championship in the 171-pound weight class in 2008.^[19]