Cowboys

Cowboys DE Greg Hardy’s Suspension Reduced To Four Games

July 10, 2015

Update:

Arbitrator Harold Henderson released a statement Friday explaining his decision to reduce Cowboys DE Greg Hardy‘s 10-game suspension to four games, per Albert Breer.

“After consideration of all the record evidence and arguments, I conclude that the Commissioner acted within his authority and properly exercised his discretion in finding that Hardy violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy…I find that the conduct of Hardy clearly violates the letter and spirit of any version of the PCP since its inception, and of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws long before then. The egregious conduct exhibited here is indefensible in the NFL. However, ten games is simply too much, in my view, of an increase over prior cases without notice such as was done last year, when the ‘baseline’ for discipline in domestic violence or sexual assault cases was announced as a six-game suspension. Therefore, the discipline of Mr. Hardy hereby is modified to a suspension of four games; all other terms of the discipline letter remain in place.”

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Harold Henderson has officially reached a decision in Cowboys DE Greg Hardy appeal and has reduced his suspension from 10 to 4 games, per Brian McCarthy.

According to Mike Garafolo, Hardy’s camp and NFLPA will digest the reduction before deciding whether to pursue a fight in court.
Albert Breer points out that Hardy’s case was framed by the NFL losing Adrian Peterson‘s appeal. In the end, Henderson protected himself and the league from a legal standpoint with this ruling, according to Breer.

Hardy’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, released a statement regarding potential legal action:

“I will confer with Greg, the NFLPA and his lawyers to discuss our next move. Still considering further legal action.”

The NFL handed down a 10-game suspension for Hardy’s involvement in a domestic violence case that was eventually settled out of court.

Hardy, 26, signed a one-year contract worth $11.3 million with the Cowboys that includes weekly bonuses as a way to protect the team from him missing a number of games.

Garafolo points out that Hardy can make $3.5 million more in per-game roster bonuses following this reduction.

Last year, Hardy wound up appearing in just one game and recorded four tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble before he was placed on the commissioners expect list.