Congressional candidate, Rep. Andy Patrick, R-Hilton Head, received the endorsement Thursday of Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl champion kicker, Clemson University Hall of Famer and Hilton Head Island resident Chris Gardocki.

"I have seen dedication and perseverance on the football field necessary to win World Championships," Gardocki said in a statement. "It will take this same sense of dedication in Washington to put our nation back on the right track. Andy Patrick has the civic duty and commitment to public service necessary to fight for our values in the halls of Congress. I am excited to join Andy Patrick's team, and win one for the Lowcountry this March 19th."

Gardocki earned the distinction of being named to Clemson University's Centennial Team and was ranked as one of the top 20 Clemson football players of all-time by a panel of Clemson historians. In 2001, Gardocki was inducted into the Clemson University Hall of Fame. As a professional in the NFL, Gardocki was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl XL championship team and was named to the 1996 Pro-Bowl team. Gardocki holds the NFL record for the most consecutive punts with no blocks and ranks 5th all-time in consecutive games played in the NFL.