NFL Suspends Cowboys DE Greg Hardy 10 Games

Update:

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement regarding the NFL’s decision to suspend DE Greg Hardy 10 games without pay.

“This suspension is something that we anticipated prior to Greg’s signing, and we respect the Commissioner’s ruling.

“Our organization understands the very serious nature of this matter. We will use our resources–work closely with Greg and with the league–to ensure a positive outcome.”

———

The NFL announced that Cowboys DE Greg Hardy will be suspended 10 games without pay for his involvement in a domestic abuse case that was eventually settled out of court.

• Mike Garafolo reports that Hardy and the NFLPA plan to appeal the suspension.
• Field Yates points out that Hardy will lose $5,781,250 in 53-man per game roster bonuses if he ends up serving the full 10-game suspension.
• According to Rand Getlin, the Hardy can participate in the Cowboys’ offseason program, OTAs, mini and training camp and preseason games.

According to the release provided by the NFL, their investigation concluded that Hardy violated the Personal Conduct Policy by using physical force against Nicole Holder in at least four instances.

• First, Hardy used physical force against her which caused her to land in a bathtub.
• Second, Hardy used physical force against her which caused her to land on a futon that was covered with at least four semi-automatic rifles.
• Third, Hardy used physical force against her by placing his hands around Ms. Holder’s neck and applying enough pressure to leave visible marks.
• Fourth, Hardy used physical force to shove Ms. Holder against a wall in his apartment’s entry hallway.

“The net effect of these acts was that Ms. Holder was severely traumatized and sustained a range of injuries, including bruises and scratches on her neck, shoulders, upper chest, back, arms and feet,” Commissioner Goodell wrote. “The use of physical force under the circumstances present here, against a woman substantially smaller than you and in the presence of powerful, military-style assault weapons, constitutes a significant act of violence in violation of the Personal Conduct Policy.”

The NFL was unable to interview Ms. Holder during their investigation, despite numerous attempts.

The league also concluded that Hardy failed to provide complete and accurate information to NFL investigators and members of the NFL staff.

It’s interesting to note that if Hardy ends up serving all 10 games, his first game back would be against the Panthers.

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 in the event he was suspended for this incident.

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.

The Panthers used their franchise tag on the defensive end on him back in 2014, which paid him a salary of $13.116 million for the 2014 season.