Family Searching for Missing Former SJSU Football Player

Hadari Darden was last seen at a Daly City shopping center after police spoke with him.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a green and tan backpack against a black background, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash to create a stark, gritty investigative aesthetic.The mysterious disappearance of a former college athlete after a police encounter has sparked an urgent community search.Daly City Today

The family of 28-year-old Hadari Darden, a former San Jose State University football player, is urgently searching for him after he went missing in Daly City over the weekend. Darden was last seen at the Skyline Plaza shopping center on Saturday after police encountered him there, but he never returned home or showed up for work on Monday.

Why it matters

Darden's disappearance is concerning to his family, as he has no known ties to the Daly City area and his recent change in behavior is out of character. The community is rallying to help find the missing man.

The details

According to the report, Darden was last heard from on Saturday after attending a hair appointment in Oakland. He never returned to his Berkeley home or showed up for work at Kaiser on Monday. Daly City police said they encountered Darden early Sunday morning at the Skyline Plaza shopping center while investigating a report of a suspicious person, but they let him walk away after questioning him and determining he seemed normal.

  • Darden was last seen on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Police encountered Darden early on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Hadari Darden

A 28-year-old former San Jose State University football player who went missing in Daly City.

Hanifea Click

Darden's mother, who was told by Daly City police that they had questioned her son but let him go.

Steven Jefferson

Darden's uncle, who said the community is rallying to find the missing man.

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What they’re saying

“They questioned him, they said he seemed normal, and they let my son walk off.”

— Hanifea Click, Darden's mother

“Everybody is looking for Hadari right now. We all love him and we want him home.”

— Steven Jefferson, Darden's uncle

What’s next

Authorities are urging anyone with information on Darden's whereabouts to contact local law enforcement.

The takeaway

The disappearance of a former college football player with no known ties to the area has raised concerns for his family and the community, who are actively searching for him.