Hardy’s Future Uncertain As He Denies Domestic Abuse

WCCB Team,

Former Carolina Panther Greg Hardy claims he has never physically abused a woman including his ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder, who accused him of assaulting her at his Charlotte apartment in May of 2014.

Sept. 17, 2014 - September 17, 2014 - Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy gets put on the Exempt List. Pictured: November 26, 2012: Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) looks on during the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Carolina Panthers beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 30-22. (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

Adam Schefter of ESPN interviewed Hardy Monday, and asked him about the domestic abuse charges.

Hardy said, “I’ve never put my hand on any women . In my whole entire life, no sir”.  The full interview is set to air Tuesday on ESPN.

The always outspoken Steve Smith, Hardy’s former teammate with the Panthers, took to Twitter to question the truthfulness of Hardy’s Statement.

Players generally support one another publicly, but Smith isn’t having it.  No other players have spoken on Hardy’s comments but it is safe to say that Hardy’s peers like William Gay of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who lost his mother to domestic violence, have strong opinions on the matter.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones supported the 27-year-old Hardy during his tenure with the Cowboys but decided not to re-sign Hardy when his contract expired recently, and Hardy is currently a free agent.

Rumors suggest that Hardy’s attitude was a distraction in the Cowboy’s locker room. The fact that a player of his caliber and age is currently unsigned speaks to how other teams in the league feel about him. Domestic violence history aside, Hardy seems to be a player that is difficult to play with and coach.

Greg-Hardy-Fights-TeammatesThe All-Pro defensive end was convicted of assaulting Holder in July of 2014, but upon appeal in February of 2015, the case was dismissed when Holder failed to appear in court and the charges were later expunged from Hardy’s criminal record.

Hardy HolderHardy played one game with the Panthers in 2014 before being deactivated by the team, but he was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list which allowed him to receive his $13.1 million salary.  He was released by the Panthers in March of 2015.

Hardy signed a one year $11.3 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys in March of 2015 but was suspended for 10 games without pay in April of 2o15.  An arbitrator reduced the sentence to four games in July of 2015 and Hardy recorded six sacks and 35 tackles during his stint with the Cowboys.

 

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