Hardy deal reveals NFL's mixed morals

Steve Brenner 16:59 30/03/2015
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  • Chequered past: Greg Hardy was drafted by Carolina in 2010 but will be lining up for Dallas next season.

    There was so much hot air billowing out of Dallas last week it could have fuelled two round-the-world balloon trips. 

    Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, never one to go backwards in coming forward, was trying to sugarcoat the multi-million contract awarded to former Carolina Panthers star Greg Hardy.

    The deal is heavily incentivised, paying him on a week-to-week basis. It won’t reach the reported $13 million unless he’s near the top of the league’s sack list next season.

    No matter. His salary was not in question. Neither was the 26-year-old defensive end’s talents.

    What instead caused widespread castigation and questions was Hardy’s domestic abuse case of last year. Initially found guilty by the state, Hardy was, under Carolina law, allowed to appeal. The victim refused to show, an out-of-court settlement was agreed and charges were dropped.

    Questions as to whether the accused may have paid his way out of trouble are hard to avoid.

    Now of course, everyone is worthy of a second chance. The NFL, so severely stung in the fall-out of the disgust propelled towards Ray Rice and the brutal attack on his then fiancée, have introduced new protocol where they themselves conduct investigations into situations like this.

    The suits want to know what happened. If they find Hardy did indeed assault and threaten to kill his ex-girlfriend, a ban will soon follow. He sat out all but one game last season after the accusations blew up in the preceding summer.

    More funding of counsellors and the hiring of experts in the field have shown the NFL are trying.

    First offenders will be banned for six games without pay for viola- tions including assault and battery, domestic or sexual assault and child abuse. Second time miscre- ants face a lifetime ban – yet there is the chance of reinstatement after a year.

    Hardy’s future, therefore, remains in flux. The NFL will be fully aware though that moving forward, this legal minefield will become increasingly difficult to navigate. But what really grated last week however was how Hardy’s arrival was trumpeted by the Cowboys.

    Lionised as Jones’ knight in shining armour predictably rubbed many up the wrong way.

    “Can they sink any lower?” was the cry from respected local sports reporter Dale Hansen.

    “Our organisation understands the very serious nature of domestic violence in our society and in our league,” countered Jones. “We know that Greg has a firm understanding of those issues as well. He’s paid a terrific price.”

    Yet one thing is clear – Hardy was signed because he is an excellent, powerful defensive end. The kind of star who could help coach Jason Garrett improve on last season’s playoff push. He was not given a lucrative second chance so the Cowboys can prove to the world just how serious they are about admonishing those who choose to beat or abuse their loved ones. It wasn’t done to help Hardy’s rehabilitation either.

    There was just one thing in Jones’ mind – winning football games. Top-level sport can be a such a cold, calculated business.

    While there was a great deal of interest in his signature, there were franchises – like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – who didn’t want to touch him. “At the end of the day, we didn’t feel good about it,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said.

    One one hand, the NFL can be commended for finally taking a stance. Yet there a sweeping wish that Roger Goodell and his fellow blazers will, moving forward, take a supremely solid stance and make an example of someone to show they really mean business.

    Convicted of domestic abuse? Stay away from our League. We don’t want you here.

    That hasn’t happened and, in all likelihood, never will. You won’t find any howls of discontent from the owners. You know, the ones who all have vested interest in ensuring the NFL cash cow continues to fill their pockets and glasses with vast amounts of sponsorship money and riches.

    Funnily enough, their silence was on par with Hardy’s lack of public remorse and until the NFL plays serious hardball, it will continue to be deafening. 

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